Team Shaw recognizes Arbor Day

Published May 2, 2016
By Senior Airman Zade Vadnais
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Home to over 8,200 active duty military members, 1,200 civilian employees, and approximately 12,000 family members, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina is a busy place. However, driving down Shaw’s streets or walking the residential areas, one would hardly know the base is home to five large units, including U.S. Air Force and Army Central Commands and a numbered Air Force headquarters.

The 20th Civil Engineer Squadron strives to keep a small-town feel on the busy base by constantly caring for existing plants and trees on base and providing new ones throughout the year.

Members of the South Carolina Forestry Commission, the 20th CES, and 20th Fighter Wing leadership gathered to plant an Overcup Oak, a tree native to South Carolina, in honor of Arbor Day here April 29.

“Planting a tree on Arbor Day symbolizes our commitment to maintaining healthy trees in our surroundings,” said Aaron Souto, 20th CES base forester. “One of the major objectives of our integrated natural resources management plan is to protect, improve, expand, and restore the native habitats on the lands utilized by the U.S. Air Force here at Shaw.”

Integrated natural resources management plans are in place at all U.S. Air Force installations and aim to ensure the bases comply with all environmental regulations, maintain natural resources in a sustainable and healthy condition, and ensure continued access to the land and air necessary to accomplish the U.S. Air Force mission.

Not only has Shaw complied with these environmental regulations, for the past 18 years the base has gone above and beyond by earning “Tree City, USA” status from the Arbor Day foundation.

Shaw earned this status by maintaining a forestry department and tree care ordinance, holding an annual Arbor Day ceremony, and spending approximately $24 per capita on trees each year; well over the $2 per capita minimum requirement.

“Arbor Day is a special day on which we take time to give something back to our environment by planting trees, and by doing so, they give back to us,” said Col. Stephen Jost, 20th FW commander. “Not only do trees beautify our community, they moderate temperatures, help reduce air, water and noise pollution, and provide habitats for wildlife.”

By caring for the land the base occupies in an environmentally responsible way, the 20th CES and all of Team Shaw are doing their part to sustain the base’s resources and beauty for future generations as they continue to fly, fight, and win.