Features

Earth Day: Ramstein sows seeds

Story and photos by Senior Airman Milton Hamilton
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
April 30, 2021
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jaden Krolikowski, 86th Security Forces Squadron member, plants an oak tree during Earth Day at Ramstein Air Base, April 20. Over the course of a week, approximately 350 trees were planted to highlight the importance of Earth Day. 

The 86th Civil Engineer Squadron’s installation environment management department provided approximately 500 oak trees to 60 service members and their families for an Earth Day tree planting event at Ramstein Air Base, April 20.

In the U.S., the 2021 Earth Day theme is “Restore Our Earth.” Bringing attention to natural processes, emerging green technologies, and innovative thinking that can restore the world’s ecosystems. The newly planted oak tree seeds will take a few years to grow into a sapling tree, but will eventually produce its own acorns and could live for hundreds of years.

“It is up to each and every one of us to restore our earth not just because we care about the natural world, but because we live on it,” said Anna Lessire, 86th CES installation management environmental chief. “We all need a healthy earth to support our jobs, livelihoods, health, survival, and happiness. A healthy planet is not an option, it is a necessity.”

Several children were among those who helped to plant seeds along the forest line.

“I brought my daughter here today to teach her the importance of taking care of our earth, for her and her sisters’ future and their children’s future,” said Kate Reier, U.S. Air Force spouse.

Participants on base are part of a larger like-minded community. More than a billion people in 192 countries now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.

“Rising temperatures caused by climate change are threatening our installation forest areas,” said Lessire. “Severe droughts and many dry summers in the past years have left trees vulnerable to bark beetles and other illnesses. Ramstein Air Base is very busy and has new construction, so we would like to give back to Mother Earth and plant new trees.”

Bryce Ko (left) and Ujin Ko, U.S. Army spouse, plant an oak tree during Earth Day at Ramstein Air Base, April 20. Approximately 60 service members and their families participated in the tree planting event which was one of the largest Earth Day events taking place on the base.

 

The 86th Airlift Wing and 86th Civil Engineer Group command team met with host nation nature protection authorities to plant maple and linden trees during an Earth Day event, at Ramstein Air Base, April, 22. The tree planting symbolizes the close partnership between Ramstein and its local partners.

 

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Audrey Allen, 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron aeromedical evacuation technician, digs a hole during Earth Day at Ramstein Air Base, April 20. The annual tree planting is part of several events that took place over the course of a week to highlight the importance of Earth Day. 

 

Erik Lagerquist, 86th Civil Engineer engineering flight chief, and his daughter, Courtney, plant an oak tree during Earth Day at Ramstein Air Base, April 20. Courtney was among several children who helped to plant seeds along the Ramstein Air Base forest line.

 

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Alexis Johnson, 86th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, and Russell Hume, 86th CES deputy director, plant a tree during an Earth Day event at Ramstein Air Base, April, 22. This year’s Earth Day theme is Restore our Earth and brings attention to natural processes, emerging green technologies, and innovative thinking that can restore the world’s ecosystems.

 

« Previous × Next »