Arbor Day proclamation

Published April 28, 2011
By Colonel Robert R. Swain Jr.
439th Air Wing

WESTOVER, Mass. -- WHEREAS, In 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees, and

WHEREAS, this Arbor Day was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska, and

WHEREAS, Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world, and

WHEREAS, trees can reduce the erosion of topsoil by wind and water, cut heating and
cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, sequester excess carbon, produce oxygen and provide habitat for wildlife, and

WHEREAS, trees are a renewable resource giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires and countless other wood products, and

WHEREAS, trees enhance and beautify our base making it a better place to work and live, and

WHEREAS, urban forestry programs at Air Force installations must satisfy the criteria for a Tree City USA designation from the National Arbor Day Foundation in accordance with AFI 32-7064, 17 Sep 2004, and

WHEREAS, Westover Air Reserve Base desires to continue its stewardship and be recognized as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation,

NOW THEREFORE, I, Robert R. Swain, Jr., Colonel, USAFR, Commander, 439th Airlift Wing, do hereby proclaim 29 April 2011 as

ARBOR DAY
at Westover Air Reserve Base, and

FURTHER, I urge all citizens to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands, to support our urban forestry program, and to plant trees to promote the well-being of present and future generations.

DATED, This 27th day of April 2011.