Moody celebrates Arbor Day, named Tree City USA for 10th year

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Frances Locquiao
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  During Moody's Arbor Day celebration held on March 19, the base forester visited children enrolled in the Child Development Center pre-kindergarten class to promote the importance in planting trees and the environment.

John Crain, who has been Moody's forester for two years, showed the children how important trees are for the environment, animals and humans.

"Trees produce oxygen for us to breathe, they provide habitat for wildlife and they clean the air," said Mr. Crain. "They also provide for things we use on a daily basis such as paper, toothpaste, desks and houses.

"It is important to allocate resources to plant trees and take care of them," he added. "That's why I'm here to help everyone be aware of how important trees are to us."

In addition to his briefing, Mr. Crain also gave a coloring book to each child which introduced and explained trees in simple terms.

"It's always nice to have Mr. Crain come visit us each year to make his presentation," said Jodi Stagmer, CDC program assistant. "It gives the children a chance to learn about the environment and the Earth. It can also make more of a difference if we start educating the children at a younger age."

Since Moody has dedicated time to spread tree awareness, the base has been named a Tree City USA community by the National Arbor Day Foundation for the 10th consecutive year.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

"A community, its elected officials and its citizens that provide needed care for its trees deserves recognition and thanks," said John Rosenow, Arbor Day Foundation chief executive. "Trees are a vital component of the infrastructure in our cities and towns, and they also provide environmental and economical benefits. Cities that are recognized with a Tree City USA designation go to great lengths to plant and care for the community forest."

Moody has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community: a tree board, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance.

The tree board addresses the investment of trees on base such as maintenance, urban improvement and planting. The tree care ordinance provides the rules and regulations. The forestry program manages the trees located in the unimproved forested areas of Moody and Grand Bay Range, a military operations training area.

"We try our best to provide outstanding care for our trees," said Mr. Crain. "As long as we continue to do that, we will surely be named a Tree City USA community again next year."