National Public Lands Day to be celebrated Sept. 24 Published Sept. 9, 2011 By Jason Gives 341st Civil Engineer Squadron MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Malmstrom Air Force Base is the only active-duty military installation in Montana, spanning more than 13,000 square miles and supporting numerous communities throughout the region. Montana is home to numerous and plentiful natural resources which the U.S. Air Force helps to conserve and protect. National Public Lands Day projects help fulfill natural and sociological needs, some in the form of restoration, and others in the form of recreation and outreach to military families. There are very few places for military families to go on base to fulfill their need to 'get outdoors.' To help emphasize this relationship, this year's project is to plant native trees and shrubs in riparian and wetland areas to prevent soil erosion, improve water quality and increase wildlife habitat; re-seed and stabilize portions of Powwow pond shoreline with native plants; pull noxious weeds; and build approximately 600 feet of split-rail wood fence. Last year, 24-tons of rock were used to stabilize approximately 80 feet of lake shoreline at Powwow Park. This year, the project plan is to continue to help stabilize portions of the shoreline where vegetation has had difficulty becoming established by planting 25 ponderosa pine trees. Re-seeding of native wildflower and grass mixes will occur in November, just prior to snow. The re-seeding and planting of native vegetation will help reduce erosion and attract pollinators and macro-invertebrates (crayfish, northern leopard frogs). Additionally, we will plant a total of 75 ponderosa pine and 50 forsynthia shrubs in a 5 acre, on-base portion of Whitmore Ravine. The planting of trees and shrubs along wetland and riparian areas in the upper portion of Whitmore Ravine will help reduce the impact of base operations on downstream receptors, in this case the Missouri River. Recent on-base mitigation in the form of retention ponds and reduction of impervious surfaces will help reduce storm water flows. Re-vegetation projects such as these compliment current efforts while also enhancing wildlife habitat and riparian areas in ways that typical construction projects can't. In other efforts for National Public Lands Day, noxious weeds will be pulled adjacent to wetland and riparian areas with a special emphasis around those areas where other removal methods are not feasible. In certain areas, sweet clover will be pulled. Weeds will be bagged and disposed of in dumpsters specially designated for plant material. Volunteers will also remove old tires and other man-made debris. Cleaning these areas of trash and removing small patches of weeds will help develop a greater appreciation of the resources for the public and base residents. Last spring a snow-drift fence was installed at a park to prevent foot-traffic from damaging newly planted trees and shrubs. This year, we will replace the fence with a more aesthetic and permanent wood split-rail fence. Handheld augers will be used to dig footings for fence posts and then be assembled. In order for all of these projects to be successfully, volunteers are needed. Individuals and groups are encouraged to come out and support this outdoor project that is celebrated nationally. Those interested in helping should meet at Medal of Honor Park Sept. 24 at 8 a.m. Water will be provided at each work site and volunteers are asked to bring a pair of work gloves along. Anyone with questions is asked to call 731-6333.