Environmental Services at Camp Lemonnier held an Earth Day tree planting ceremony near the main entrance of Dorie Miller Galley April 22.

Service members and base personnel were invited to participate in the event, which has been a traditional way to celebrate Earth Day throughout the United States.

The tree planting is also part of a basewide beautification project underway at Camp Lemonnier. Plants will be installed throughout the month and purchased at a local nursery in Djibouti.

The base beautification project includes flowering plants like the bougainvillea, which is a large, shrub-like vine that grows exceptionally well in warm coastal climates. Crimson fountain grass will be planted around base and is a drought tolerant grass that can survive in the dry, African heat. Other trees include the Senegal date palm, native to equatorial Africa, and the oleander, which is native to Africa, the Mediterranean region and Arabian Peninsula.

Camp Lemonnier enables the forward operations and responsiveness of U.S. and allied forces in support of Navy Region, Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia's mission to provide services to the fleet, fighter, and family.

The base provides, operates and sustains superior service in support of combat readiness along with security of ships and aircraft detachments and personnel for regional and combat command requirements, enabling operations for the Horn of Africa while fostering positive U.S.-African nation relations.

You can learn more about Earth Day and the Navy's Environmental and Energy programs by going to http://greenfleet.dodlive.mil/environment/earth-day/.

For more news from Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, visit http://www.navy.mil/.