Altus Air Force Base News

 

Earth Day 2014 - Conserve today, secure tomorrow

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Dillon Davis
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --   This year the U.S. Air Force's Earth Day theme is "Conserve Today - Secure Tomorrow" and concentrating on sustainability.

Earth Day recognition gives individuals an opportunity to focus on the things they do every day, how those things impact the earth and what they can do to improve the environment.

"Setting aside one day out of the year and bringing the focus on how simple things like not wasting energy or water helps build awareness that can become normal everyday behavior," said Michael Reyes, 97th Civil Engineer Squadron environmental management systems programs manager. "On Altus AFB we like to say that we celebrate Earth Day every day by doing everything we can to reduce the installation environmental footprint."

Earth Day is an annual event to raise awareness for the protection of the environment and is now celebrated in more than 190 countries.

"The Department of Defense and the Air Force have long recognized that protecting our environment pays tremendous dividends in meeting mission requirements and giving us the flexibility to grow," said Reyes. "Being good environmental stewards means we do everything we can to keep our environment safe while we are here and the future generation of 97th AMW warriors."

Everything Altus AFB does has an effect on not only the base members, but also the surrounding community.

"Anything we do on the base will eventually impact the local community," said Reyes. "The awareness received by our members is put to use within the communities of Altus. Knowing what and how to handle hazardous chemicals, recycling items, conserving energy and water all help the city of Altus by helping reduce the environmental footprint."
This year's Earth Day events are meant to raise awareness of the everyday things people can do to help preserve the environment and its resources.

"Make a decision to do something," said Reyes. "That something could be as simple as carpooling, lowering the thermostat on their home AC, or turning off the light within their work cubical when they leave the office."

This year's events and activities include:

15-22 April - Earth Day display at Base library
16 April - Recycling Center Tour for Child Development Center from 9:30-10 a.m.
16 April - Earth Day story and game at the Youth Center from 4-4:30 p.m.
17 April - Earth Day story at the Child Development Center from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
22 April - Earth Day story for children at the Base Library beginning at 10:30 a.m.
22 April - Earth Day booth at the Exchange from 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
24 April - Earth Day story time at the base library beginning at 6:15 p.m.

For more information about what you can do to help the protect the environment, visit http://www.afcec.af.mil/news/earthday2014.