JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
The Chesapeake Bay covers roughly 64,000 square miles, contains more than 150 waterways and spans six states, according to the National Park Service. As the largest estuary in North America, it is home to more than 250 species of fish, 300 species of migratory birds and one of the largest sources of seafood, particularly blue crab, in America.
With urbanization threatening to pollute waterways, it is up to local communities to keep the bay clean. At Joint Base Langley-Eustis, community members have traded their uniforms and suits for old T-shirts and waders to clean up the coastlines of Langley Air Force Base and Fort Eustis during Clean the Bay Day.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation started the annual event in Virginia Beach, Va., in 1989 in response to dumping and pollution, which caused the deterioration of the bay's water quality.
According to the foundation's website, more than half the water in Virginia drains into the Chesapeake, making it a critical point for many neighboring ecosystems.
"Every year, we spend a day picking up trash and debris around [Joint Base Langley-Eustis] in an effort to reduce pollution and raise awareness," said Michael Mallozzi, 633rd Civil Engineer Squadron pollution protection manager. "It is our responsibility to do our part in the local community, and it is up to us to make a real difference."
The environmental teams at Joint Base Langley-Eustis comprise only a small percentage of the community who work towards a brighter, cleaner bay. United States Air Force Master Sgt. Jessica German, Air Combat Command Headquarters special missions armament manager, believes it is everyone's responsibility to help out the host community.
"Right now, [Joint Base Langley-Eustis] is home for me, and I like to keep a clean house," said German. "Doing these events and helping out shows our neighbors we respect and appreciate their generosity for letting us be a part of their community."
At Fort Eustis, Boy Scouts from different troops volunteered their time. Joshua Lawrence, an 11-year-old Boy Scouts of America Boy Scout Troop 43 member, is a veteran Clean the Bay Day attendee, and he believes making a difference doesn't have to be a chore.
"After doing this for three years, I still [enjoy] being outside cleaning up - it is fun," he said. "I am helping one small step at a time and [contributing] to my home."
With about 250 people lending a helping hand this year alone, Mallozzi knows the installation is in good hands when it comes to protecting one of its greatest assets.
"Everyone who comes out should know their efforts go way beyond [Joint Base Langley-Eustis]," he said. "Not only does this help the [roughly] 17 million people around the bay with pollution prevention, it also shows them that our military communities constantly strive to show the American people how we can make a change at home, wherever home may be."