LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation of Earth's environment. On April 22, 1970, Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin held the first Earth Day, a day of organized demonstration for the environment. Twenty million people participated in awareness-raising activities that day, permanently impacting public opinion regarding the importance of the environment.
April 22 has since officially been designated as Earth Day, with rallies and demonstrations held each year to educate and inform the public about Earth's precious natural resources.
Consistent with the 633d Air Base Wing Environmental Policy Statement, the 633d Civil Engineer Squadron's Environmental Flight promotes activities and programs that help Joint Base Langley-Eustis achieve its' missions and goals relative to environmental compliance. The Environmental Flight hosted a series of events from April 19 to 22 to celebrate 2010's Earth Week.
Throughout the week, displays promoting Langley's environmental programs were set up in the lobbies of the Base Exchange and Bateman Library. The displays highlighted a variety of environmental programs and valuable
environmental information for base personnel. The posters also included pictures and descriptions of native birds and plants of the area.
On April 19, 13 volunteers cleaned up and repaired Langley's Nature Walk. The Nature Walk, located behind the Education Center and across from the Langley horse stables, provides a scenic path to observe the Chesapeake Bay wetlands and wildlife. Volunteers repaired loose wooden boards, cleared debris and garbage and trimmed tree branches off the path.
Twelve volunteers installed approximately 110 markers on storm drains throughout the heavier-than-air area of the base on April 20. These markers help educate the public to keep our storm water and Bay clean, discouraging dumping of hazardous materials in strom drains.
Langley hosted Base Carpool Day April 21. Personnel were encouraged to carpool to work to save gas and reduce air pollution emissions. For their efforts, carpoolers received environmentally friendly shopping bags at the base gates. Volunteers handed out approximately 175 shopping bags.
On April 22, Col. Reggie Austin, 633 ABW vice commander, planted a tree at the General and Mrs. Robert Russ Child Development Center in a ceremony honoring Earth Day and Arbor Day. After Austin declared Langley's commitment to celebrating Earth Day annually, pre-school classes from the CDC helped place soil into the planting hole for a Japanese Cedar tree. This ceremony affirms Langley's participation in the National Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City USA program, the eleventh year Langley received recognition as a Tree City USA community.