Team Dover celebrates Arbor Day Published June 2, 2006 By 2nd Lt. Chris Sukach 436th AW Public Affairs DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- For the 14th year in a row, Dover Air Force Base has garnered the honor of being named one of the National Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City, U.S.A. locales. To celebrate this honor, the Tree City, U.S.A. flag flew at the Main Gate on Arbor Day, April 28. The base not only flew the flag, but hosted a combined Arbor Day and Earth Day celebration that culminated with senior leaders and students planting a tree outside the Welch Elementary School. "Our lives are dependent on the health of our planet," said Rayanne Benner, 436th Civil Engineer Squadron natural resources manager and coordinator for this year's event. "The health of our planet is going to be dependent upon our children. Children are absorbers of knowledge, so it is essential they learn about saving our environment, and it is our responsibility to teach them," she said. Students at Welch Elementary and Dover Air Force Base Middle Schools learned "green" practices for weeks while preparing for this celebration. "The students are always eager to learn more about the environment and the conservation of our natural resources," said Kathy DeLong, Welch Elementary School principal. "Whether it's taking part in an all-school effort to recycle paper, learning about the rain forest, or creating a mini eco-system in fifth grade science class; the children are highly motivated to do their part," she said. As part of the campaign, students created posters and poems reflecting both the April 22 Earth Day holiday and April 28 Arbor Day observance. The winners of the poster and poem contest were recognized at the April 28 ceremony. "Our students enjoyed the poster and poetry writing contests," said Ernestine Adams, DAFB Middle School principal. "Both the poster and poetry contests allowed our students an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of this year's theme, 'Make Everyday Earth Day.'" The Welch Elementary school choir performed the song, "Everyday is Earth Day," in conjunction with an accompanying slide show at the celebration. One only needs to hear the enthusiasm with which the children sing the song to know that they are excited to participate, said Mrs. DeLong. "We try to actively get the children involved yearly and this year we wanted to go beyond what we normally do in the hopes of having a greater impact of the importance of our environment on the children, yet make it fun," said Ms. Benner. The environmental activities seemed to be a huge success for the children. "Students at Dover AFB Middle School took this project very seriously and they are committed to making sure others understand the importance of Earth and Arbor Days. Partnerships such as these enrich the notion that teaching and learning is best linked with real world experiences," said Mrs. Adams.