Celebrate Earth April 22

  • Published
  • By 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  Every April 22, Air Force installations around the world observe Earth Day by taking actions to enhance sustainability and support the Air Force's Earth Day theme of "Conserve Today - Secure Tomorrow."

This year, the Air Force is highlighting sustainability programs, including energy conservation and use of renewable energy sources, effective water resource management, pollution prevention, reduction in the use of hazardous chemicals, and use of innovative environmentally-friendly technologies in design, construction, landscaping and facilities sustainment, restoration and modernization.

Sustainability is important to ensure we have, and will continue to have, the water, materials and resources to protect human health and our environment.

Effective natural resource management allows the Air Force to save money, reduce risk, and ensure its availability to support Air Force operations to "fly, fight, and win" now and in the future.

The Air Force is committed to continuing to conduct our current operations in a sustainable way.

Every Airman must protect and conserve these natural resources for the benefit of present and future mission requirements, and for the benefit of present and future generations.

We want to leave a lasting legacy without leaving a lasting footprint.

While the Air Force is finding ways to participate in earth day, here a few practical things you can do.

5 things to do on Earth Day

Plant a tree. Pick a tree that you know can survive in your climate. If you're unsure about what that might be, ask an employee at your local garden shop, or inside the garden department.

Make nature crafts. Get together with your family and build a birdhouse or make a bird feeder t o encourage the local bird population, which plays an important role in every ecosystem.

Learn more about the environment. Earth Day is a good time to make a commitment to learning more about the environment and how you can help to protect it.

Reduce, reuse and recycle all day long. Buy as little as possible and avoid items that come in lots of packaging.

Clean up litter. Rid litter from our roadways. Many groups use the weekend of Earth Day to clear roadways, highways and neighborhood streets of litter that has accumulated since the last clean-up day.