March 29, 2024

Pax Keeps Tree City Title for 28th Year

Tree City

Twenty-eight years and counting. Naval Air Station Patuxent River is celebrating the 28th consecutive year of being named a 2016 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of the Navy installation’s commitment to effective forest management.

NAS Patuxent River is one of more than 3,400 Tree City USAs, with a combined population of 140 million. The Tree City USA Program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the US Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. The installation received the recognition by meeting the Tree City programs four requirements of having a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance.

“Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community first hand,” said Dan Lambe, Arbor Day Foundation president. “Additionally, recognition brings residents together and creates a sense of community pride, whether it’s through volunteer engagement or public education.”

NAS Pax River marked the occasion with a tree planting April 5, held by Capt. Scott Starkey, NAS Patuxent River commanding officer, and Kyle Rambo, installation conservation director. Capt. Starkey signed a proclamation during the event declaring April 5, 2017, as Arbor Day 2017 at NAS Patuxent River before he, Capt. Jason Hammond, NAS Patuxent River executive officer, and guests S. Andrew Sochanski of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Rick Grills of the Maryland Department of the Environment, planted a hackberry tree at a playground on the installation to mark the occasion.

The hackberry tree is common to the eastern United States and is helpful in erosion control while providing nesting for birds and shelter for rabbits and deer.

For more about Lexington Park, visit the St. Mary’s County Community Development Corporation’s Leader member page.

46940 South Shangri-La Drive, Suite 7; Lexington Park, MD 20653;

301-863-7700

Leave A Comment