McConnell retains "Tree City" title

  • Published
  • By Airman Armando A. Schwier-Morales
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  For the 16th consecutive year, McConnell Air Force Base earned the title Tree City USA for its environmental efforts in 2009.

The Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service, awards the Tree City USA recognition to communities that develop their green infrastructure. The base joined more than 3,400 cities and towns recognized as a Tree City community.

"The Tree City USA award shows that McConnell has a commitment to a healthy and green environment by beautifying the area with trees," said Tina Seemayer, 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron Natural Infrastructure Section Assessment Management Flight natural resource manager.

To achieve the title of Tree City USA, approximately 130 trees were planted in 2009, according to base environmentalists.

"Each tree took approximately two hours to plant," said Mrs. Seemayer. "However, that does not take into account the hours spent picking it up from the nursery , delivering it to the site, and the watering that must be kept up for the next two years until it has established itself."

Planting trees is not the only requirement to earn the recognition. Communities recognized must continually maintain trees already planted. At McConnell, employees, pruned 1,639 trees and removed 192 dead trees in the past year.

In addition to the effort expended caring for the trees, Tree City nominees must meet the four key requirements established by the Arbor Day Foundation.

These key requirements include:
· Having an official tree board
· Establishing a tree-care ordinance
· Implementing a comprehensive community forestry program with money budgeted
· Making an Arbor Day proclamation

The tree board is McConnell's Environmental Safety and Occupational Health Council, the vice wing commander presides over the tree board. The board has developed guidance on caring for the trees, ground maintenance contracts, land use and a landscape development plan. In addition, McConnell spent approximately $68,000 on maintaining and landscaping the base grounds in 2009.

While communities like McConnell incur cost maintaining the landscape, the 130 trees planted in 2009 can reduce expenses, according to the Kansas Forest Service.

"Trees are important part of a city because they not only increase the aesthetic value, they reduce bills by shading in the summer and blocking cold winter winds in the winter," said John Klempa, Kansas Forest Service district forester.

To finally meet all requirements a, proclamation must be made along with a celebration. McConnell met the proclamation requirement at the 2009 Arbor Day event.

"Winning Tree City USA is not necessary to complete the mission," said Mrs. Seemayer. "However, by receiving Tree City USA it shows that McConnell can provide a total life package for its residents."

Over the next few months, more trees will be pruned, mulched, planted, watered and removed, helping the base fulfill its role as an environmental steward and attaining the title of Tree City USA for a 17th year, said Mrs. Seemayer.