JBER celebrates 50th Arbor Day

Air Force Col. Scott Matthews, 673d Civil Engineer Group commander, helps Mount Spurr Elementary School fifth-grade students plant a white spruce tree for National Arbor Day at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, May 16, 2016. The trees were provided through a grant from the Alaska Community Forest Council, the Alaska Division of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher R. Morales)

Members of the Torch and Keystone clubs plant two white spruce trees in front of the Two Rivers Youth Center for National Arbor Day at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, May 16, 2016. The trees were provided through a grant from the Alaska Community Forest Council, the Alaska Division of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher R. Morales)

JBER celebrates 50th Arbor Day

Steve Nickle, Alaska State Community Forester, teaches members of the Torch and Keystone clubs the importance of trees at the Two Rivers Youth Center for National Arbor Day at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, May 16, 2016. Army Col. Timothy Wulff, 673d Air Base Wing vice commander, also gave remarks and read the 2015 proclamation for National Arbor Day before the children planted two white spruce trees. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher R. Morales)

JBER celebrates 50th Arbor Day

Published May 18, 2016
By Airman Valerie Monroy
JBER Public Affairs

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- In 1966, Alaska was the only state without an official Arbor Day. For a group of 4th-grade students from Kodiak, things had to change. The students asked Alaska's then-Gov. Bill Egan for help and soon after, he signed the Alaska Arbor Day into law.

This is the 50th Anniversary of Alaska's Arbor Day, but the first-ever Arbor Day was celebrated April 10, 1872, and Julius Sterling Morton began it all. He started planting trees around his farm and urged neighbors to do the same. Once he became a member of the state board of agriculture in Nebraska, he proposed a special day be chosen to encourage people to plant trees statewide. That day, more than a million trees were planted.

In a proclamation by 673d Air Base Wing and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Commander Brian Bruckbauer, he explained trees are renewable resources giving people paper for books, lumber for homes, fuel for fires and countless other wood products. Though trees serve multiple purposes, they also bring joy, Bruckbauer continued.

"Trees on JBER beautify our community and enhance our quality of life," Bruckbauer said. "I urge all personnel to plant trees to gladden the heart and promote the well-being of this and future generations."

This year at JBER, agencies hosted multiple events for the planting of white spruce trees. Adults and Children at the JBER Library, Mount Spurr Elementary School and Two Rivers Youth Center planted trees and read poetry by 5th-grade students who won an Arbor Day poetry contest from each of their classes.

Kaelyn Rosso, 10, was one of the winners with her poem titled "Thank You Trees."

In her poem, she said she spoke of what trees give everyone and why people should plant them.

"Trees are a constant companion," Rosso said. "You can hug them whenever you want and they never judge you."
For Charlene Johnson, 673d Civil Engineer Squadron ecologist, she said the importance of Arbor Day is to not take the trees for granted.

"Having trees planted in our own communities can remind us to respect them and continue with the celebration that started here 50 years ago," Johnson said.

For more information on the Arbor Day or to find out which trees are best to plant in your area, visit www.arborday.org.