Malmstrom receives 14th Tree City USA recertification

  • Published
  • By Valerie Mullett
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Malmstrom was awarded Tree City USA recertification for the 14th consecutive year. Mark Lennon, the State Community Forester, presented the award to wing leadership at the Environmental Safety and Occupational Health Council meeting Wednesday.

Tree City USA is a program that started in 1976 as a Bicentennial project sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, according to Rudy Verzuh, environmental engineer with the 341st Civil Engineer Squadron. The program was designed to recognize towns and cities throughout the country that develop comprehensive urban forestry programs, he added.

In order to become designated as a Tree City USA, four standards must be met. The standards were established by the National Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters and they include:

- Establishing a tree board or department;
- Maintaining a tree care ordinance;
- Having a comprehensive community forestry program; and
- Issuing an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

These standards ensure that every qualifying community has a viable tree management plan and program, and were designed so that no community would be excluded because of size, according to officials at the National Arbor Day Foundation.

"Planting trees and maintaining a healthy urban forest is an integral part of our quality of life enhancement and facilities excellence program," said Lt. Col. Daniel Costello, 341st CES commander.

At Malmstrom, the ESOH Council, chaired by the vice wing commander, serves as the tree board, Mr. Verzuh explained.

"The ESOH Council meets quarterly, has representatives from all of the groups and squadrons on base, and discusses policy and programs relating to all environmental issues," Mr. Verzuh said.

Landscaping standards are part of Malmstrom's General Plan - a leadership tool outlining goals, standards and limitations for future work on the installation - and they serve as the second certification requirement. They also stipulate the types and kinds of trees that meet the criteria for this area, such as aesthetics, water requirements and suitability to the climate.

"Our community forestry program includes the irrigation and maintenance of existing trees and landscaping, as well as introducing new ones," Mr. Verzuh said. Last year, more than 200 new trees were planted at a cost of more than $33,000, well over the $2 per capital minimum required for the Tree City USA award, he said. These costs are figured into the overall price of construction projects and planting takes place in conjunction with them, according to Mr. Verzuh.

The final requirement is attained through support of the wing commander by her issuance of a proclamation each year, and by scheduling an observance for Arbor Day. This year's Arbor Day and Earth Day celebration took place Saturday at the Great Falls Civic Center.

For more information about the Tree City USA program, go to the National Arbor Day Foundation Web site at www.arborday.org.