Airmen and civilians at the Air National Guard Readiness Center plant a redbud tree as part of the AGNRC’s Earth Day observance, April 22, 2016 at the ANGRC on Joint Base Andrews, Md. More than 30 people volunteered their time planting trees, shrubs and other plants, as well as collecting recycling and trash. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. John E. Hillier/Released)
Airmen and civilians at the Air National Guard Readiness Center plant a redbud tree as part of the AGNRC’s Earth Day observance, April 22, 2016 at the ANGRC on Joint Base Andrews, Md. More than 30 people volunteered their time planting trees, shrubs and other plants, as well as collecting recycling and trash. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. John E. Hillier/Released)
Col. Craig Rezac, Air National Guard deputy director – Installations and Mission Support, addresses volunteers at the Air National Guard Readiness Center’s Earth Day observance, April 22, 2016, at the ANGRC on Joint Base Andrews, Md. More than 30 people volunteered their time planting trees, shrubs and other plants, as well as collecting recycling and trash. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. John E. Hillier/Released)
by Staff Sgt. John Hillier
Air National Guard Readiness Center Public Affairs
5/16/2016 - JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- More than 30 Airmen and civilians came together to show their support and get their hands dirty during an April 22 Earth Day event at the Air National Guard Readiness Center on Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
Participants spent the morning planting trees and shrubs, maintaining planters, and beautifying the ANGRC campus as part of the base-wide commemoration.
"We love Earth Day because it brings awareness to our environment, which we often take for granted," said Kerri Wildgruber, ANGRC Pollution Prevention Program manager. "Planting trees and flowers and picking up trash are things we can do to be good stewards for our Earth. Any time you can reduce, reuse, or recycle saves our Earth's resources."
Throughout the morning's activities, ANGRC volunteers replaced three dead trees with 12-foot-tall redbuds, collected seven bags of recyclables, and four bags of trash. They also composted, weeded and mulched several planters and flower beds as well as planting many different varieties of smaller plants.
Wildgruber also thanked many other individuals who made the event possible.
"Thanks so much to the facilities personnel, led by Mr. Wallmow and Senior Master Sgt. Troy Marquis, who provided the tools, gloves, gators and trash bags to help our efforts," she said. "Also, Col. [Craig] Rezac, who welcomed all the volunteers and stressed the importance of volunteering for events that give back to our community and campus."
