Yorktown Sailors and Cub Scouts plant trees to commemorate Earth Day 2012

YORKTOWN, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors from Naval Weapons Station (WPNSTA) Yorktown and Cub Scouts from Pack 242 joined forces to celebrate Earth Day 2012, April 21, by planting more than 125 tree seedlings.

The trees, donated by the Virginia Department of Forestry, were planted at WPNSTA Yorktown-Cheatham Annex (CAX) at, and around, the installation's outdoor recreation facility. The event was put together by WPNSTA Yorktown Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Department.

"Planting trees is an outstanding way for Naval Weapons Station Yorktown to continue their dedication to community and environmental stewardship," said Rhonda Mickelborough, WPNSTA Yorktown Environmental. "Trees offer many environmental benefits from air quality to wildlife habitat. Trees provide food, protection, and homes for many birds and mammals."

"Trees improve our air quality by filtering harmful dust and pollutants. In addition, trees reduce the amount of storm water runoff, reducing erosion and pollution in our waterways and may reduce the effects of flooding," she concluded.

Cub Scout Pack 242 from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Newport News, Va., was contacted by Ray Brake, MWR Outdoor Recreation manager, to participate in the tree planting during their upcoming campout at CAX. The scouts were eager to earn credit towards their Cub Scout World Conservation Award, one of the requirements being a participant in a pack conservation project.

"The scouts took away a feeling of a job 'well done' and the knowledge that we left a place better than we found it," said John Wojtas, cubmaster for Pack 242. "One of the principles we try to instill in the boys is, any space or location we use, we always try to leave it better than we found it."

For the Sailors, this was a chance to show leadership to our future generation, as well as give back to the community and the environment.

"The Cub Scouts are a great organization," said Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Jennifer Holmes, assistant to the WPNSTA Yorktown Command Master Chief. "It's great to be able to give back to the community and the installation that supports us."

"The Cub Scouts and the adults had a great time working with the Sailors and listening to them talk about themselves and their jobs in the Navy," Wojtas added.

After about an hour of hard work and dedication, the trees were planted all across WPNSTA Yorktown-CAX, adding to the beauty of the largest and best outdoor recreation facility for military families on the East Coast.

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