Tree Circle to inspire, remind for years to come

Published June 1, 2009
By Kristal Walsh
First Special Operations Civil Engineering Squadron

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- In April of 1872, J. Morton Sterling, an agriculturist and nature lover, spearheaded an effort to plant more than a million trees in the rugged Northwest Territory.

Today, the observance of Arbor Day varies throughout the United States due to various planting schedules. However, the day is still held every spring to honor Morton's birthday on April 22.

The first Arbor Day taught new Westerners about the benefits of planting trees, such as wind breaks, minimizing erosion and shade.

This year, at Hurlburt Field, a pink dogwood was planted next to the library to mark the cornerstone of the Tree Circle, a place established in an effort to teach children about nature and to serve as a symbol of a continuing commitment to the preservation of natural resources. As the circle grows, year by year, it will remind us of our duty as Americans to preserve, not just for today but also for the future.

The dogwood joined seven other native trees that were donated by Okaloosa County.
Col. Gregory Lengyel, 1st Special Operations Wing commander, read an Arbor Day proclamation and assisted in planting the tree with Col. Mark Johnson, 1st Special Operations Wing Mission Support Group commander. They were joined by children from the Youth Center, who read nature-inspired poems and enjoyed an ice cream social in the middle of the circle.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen, enough to meet the annual oxygen needs of 18 people.

Though the tree circle will not produce quite that much, it will forever stand as a reminder of the obligation those on earth have to protect and improve the environment in which we live.