JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
April 22 marks the 45th annual observance of Earth Day and Joint Base Langley-Eustis personnel will celebrate Earth Week, from April 20 through 24, by taking part in "Acts of Service" across both installations.
To promote acts of service, JBLE environmental members have set up a weeks' worth of events to help educate and excite the community about Earth Week.
"At JBLE, one day isn't enough, so we plan to spend an entire week providing environmentally focused volunteer, educational and public awareness opportunities to our base population," said U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Trevor Webber, 633d Civil Engineer Squadron Pollution Prevention manager. "We have partnered with the 733rd Civil Engineer Division at Fort Eustis to offer opportunities every day of the week for members to assist with environmental events."
To promote the celebration, environmental personnel from the 633rd CES and the 733rd CED set up events to engage, educate and excite the JBLE community about conservation efforts. JBLE members can look forward to protecting the environment through the following events:
April 20
Matthew Jones House tours at Fort Eustis at building 1611 beginning at 9 to 11 a.m. For more information contact Dr. Chris McDaid at 878-7365.
Nature trail improvements at Fort Eustis, entrance to trail is near Jacobs Theater, building 647 from 9 to 11 a.m. For more information contact Paul James at 878-7362 or Don Johnson at 878-7364.
Tree stake removal at Fort Eustis across the base, beginning at the Nature Trail entrance near Jacobs Theater, building 647 from 9 to 11 a.m. For more information contact Tim Christensen at 878-4231.
Water Conservation/Rain Barrel Making Workshop at the Langley Community Commons from 8 to 11 a.m. The 633rd CES, Hampton Clean City Commission and Hampton Master Gardeners will present a rain barrel workshop, supplies, training and expertise on how to build and maintain a rain barrel are included. Participants can purchase kits for $40 cash or a check payable to Hampton Master Gardeners. Registration is limited to 16 participants. To register, email Thomas Olexa at thomas.olexa.3@us.af.mil.
Water Conservation/Storm Drain marking at Bethel Manor Langley Family Housing from 1 to 4:30 p.m., the 633rd CES is seeking volunteers to install storm drain medallions at Bethel Manor Langley Family Housing, April 20, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Storm drains will be labeled with medallions warning residents not to dump pollutants into the drain. The markings promote water conservation by recognizing that anything going into a drain heads directly into natural water systems of the Chesapeake Bay. All volunteers will receive an interpretative lesson, water and supplies. Parents, children and students are all welcome to volunteer. To register, email Dawn Christian at dawn.christrian@us.af.mil.
April 21
Filterra Maintenance Project and Storm Drain Marking at Fort Eustis across the base, starting at building 1407 from 9 to 11 a.m. For more information contact Ron Holcomb at 878-5218.
Wildlife boat tours at Fort Eustis will leave from 3rd Port building 451, assembly will begin at building 1407 at 8:40 a.m. For more information contact Jay Dehart at 878-4492
Arbor Day tree planting at the Langley Child Development Center at 10 a.m. The Earth Week committee will host a tree planting with Smoky the Bear. For more information, contact 2nd Lt. Trevor Webber at 765-7388.
The Langley Nature Trail will reopen at 1 p.m. For more information, contact 2nd Lt. Trevor Webber at 765-7388.
April 22
Warwick Pier improvements (two-day event) at Fort Eustis at building 1134 from 9 to 11 a.m. For more information contact Dr. Chris McDaid at 878-7365.
Bird house installation at Fort Eustis across the base starting at building 1407 from 9 to 11 a.m. For more information contact Jennifer Guerrero at 878-7380.
Box turtle survey at Fort Eustis, training areas one and two, starting at building 1407 from 9 to 11 a.m. For more information contact Tim Christensen at 878-4231.
April 23
Harrison Shoreline planting at Fort Eustis will cover the entire Harrison Road shoreline, starting at building 1407 from 9 to 11 a.m. For more information contact Tim Christensen at 878-4231.
Outfall clean-up at Fort Eustis, across entire base starting at building 1407 from 9 to 11 a.m. For more information contact Don Johnson at 878-7364.
Shoreline planting at the Langley shoreline from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Living Shoreline Planting (two-day event) The 633rd CES is seeking volunteers to help plant native vegetation plugs. This volunteer project effort will enhance living shoreline conditions along the Back River at Langley by using strategic placements of plants, stones, and sand, or other structural erosion and enhance wetland habitat. All volunteers will receive an interpretative lesson, water and supplies. 30 volunteers are needed each day. To volunteer, email Thomas Olexa at thomas.olexa.3@us.af.mil.
April 24
Warwick Pier improvements (day two) at Fort Eustis beginning at building 1134 from 9 to 11 a.m. For more information contact Dr. Chris McDaid at 878-7380.
Shoreline planting (day two) at the Langley shoreline from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Arba Williamson, 733rd CED Environmental Element planning chief, reminds U.S. Service members and civilian employees that conservation efforts shouldn't stop with Earth Week.
"Even if you can't get out to any of the events we host, do something to support the Earth and keep it clean," said Williamson. "There are many opportunities in the local community to help throughout the year such as carpooling to work or adopting a spot to clean near a major road or highway."
To volunteer for events at Langley, contact Webber at 765-7388. For events at Fort Eustis, contact Karen Harvey or Williamson at 878-5210.