Travis plans Earth Day events

  • Published
  • By Dolores Tiburcio
  • 60th Civil Engineer Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  "Your mission starts here to win the war against waste" is the Air Force environmental initiative and our theme for the upcoming 43rd annual Earth Day observance.

"Although National Earth Day is April 22, activities at Travis are planned for the entire month of April," said Dolores Tiburcio, 60th Civil Engineer Squadrons asset management flight and Earth Day event coordinator. "Everyone is encouraged to participate in the month's activities, which focus on educating others about protecting and sustaining our Travis environment."

Earth Day was founded by former U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson to inspire awareness and appreciation for natural resources. In the spring of 1970, Gaylord patterned a nationwide environmental teach-in day focusing on the environment.

"The idea took off like gangbusters. The American people finally had a forum to express their concern about what was happening to the land, rivers, lakes and air; and they did so with spectacular exuberance." said the senator in a 1993 American Heritage Magazine article.

Earth Day became an international observance in 1990.

The 15th annual Travis Recycling Contest kicks off the Travis Earth Day activities and runs from April 8 to May 6.

The Travis community can focus on being good stewards of our environment by turning trash into a valuable commodity, Tiburcio said.
The contest is open to all organizations on Travis and participation is highly encouraged.
"Organizations may enter any number of teams, each with five people, to compete for prizes and recognition," Tiburcio said. "Squadrons, Travis community residents, former residents and local schools are eligible to enter teams."

Teams collect and redeem California Redemption Value aluminum cans, plastic bottles with No. 1 and No. 2 markings and any color of glass bottles and jars. Prizes will go to those first and second place teams that recycle the most weight and redeem the highest dollar amount.

In addition to winning prizes, teams may deposit the funds collected into their booster clubs or donate the money to a charitable organization. In 2011, the winning team earned $514.

Winners receive award plaques with the Travis Earth Day logo and much more - all made from recycled materials. Awards are presented at wing stand-up after the contest. Registering for the contest is simple. Contact 2nd Lt. Rachelle Miller, 60th Logistics Readiness Squadron at 424-2945 or rachelle.miller@us.af.mil or Staff Sgt Tassinda Ward, 60th LRS at 424-4130 or tassinda.ward@us.af.mil. You will receive a registration form, contest rules and turn-in procedures via email. Deadline to enter is April 8 by close of business.

Another competition back by popular demand, is the Airman Power Tournament which gives Airmen the opportunity to compete by burning calories, converting human energy to electrical energy and reducing Travis' electrical utility bill. This event takes place April 16 and 22 at the Travis Fitness Center. Squadron teams will compete on elliptical machines attached to the ReRev electrical generator system. A plaque will be awarded to the winning Squadron that generates the most electricity. Contact 2nd Lt Joelle Fuhrmann, 60th Mission Support Group at 424-1090 to sign up for this tournament.

Our recycling program team also is partnering with local schools and the Commissary to present an Earth Day grocery bag art activity as a prelude to Earth Day. Students from local elementary schools and child care development centers will decorate paper bags with pictures of various recycling activities from April 8 to 12. The Commissary will display the bags through Earth Day, and then distribute them to shoppers.

For more information about our Earth Day celebration, contact Tiburcio at 424-5127.