JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
A golf tournament, an environmental booth at a Fiesta celebration and a Fun Run headline a month's worth of activities as Joint Base San Antonio prepares to celebrate Earth Day/Month 2012.
This year's activities kicked off Thursday, when, on behalf of JBSA, Brig. Gen. Theresa Carter, JBSA commander, proclaimed April as Earth Day/Month. This year's Air Force theme is "Conserve Today. Secure Tomorrow." The proclamation encourages people in the JBSA community to "think and act as a responsible trustee of Earth, seeking the best choices in an effort to eliminate pollution and foster a brighter future for all individuals."
The Fort Sam Houston environmental unit led the way this year with its annual Basura Bash Feb. 25, an event that concentrates on waterway cleanup in areas around JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, including Salado Creek. According to Kristen Lynch, 502nd Civil Engineer Squadron environmental engineer, the Basura Bash was the "most successful so far."
Celebrations throughout the month include activities at all three locations. The Earth Day Celebration and Fun Run will begin at 9 a.m. April 19 at JBSA-Lackland Outdoor Adventure Center Trails. The Earth Day Golf Outing is planned for 10:30 a.m. April 19 at the JBSA-Randolph Oaks Golf Course. The Environmental Booth will be part of the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Fiesta day events starting at 5:30 p.m. April 22.
These events join a list of established events, including a month-long environmental awareness display at the JBSA-Randolph Library starting April 1, various JBSA-Lackland Recycling Center events April 12, 21 and 25, environmental and energy kiosks April 18 at the JBSA-Randolph base exchange, activities at the JBSA-Randolph Elementary School April 20 and Tree City USA/Arbor Day ceremonies at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and JBSA-Randolph.
Tiffany Evans, 902nd Civil Engineer Squadron environmental engineer, said she hopes the golf outing will allow more people to be exposed to Earth Day's environmental awareness message.
"It's also something fun to do outside in the fresh air," she said. "We'll have an environmental kiosk set up at the golf club and we'll have literature to distribute."
Judy Lopez, 802nd Civil Engineer Squadron environmental engineer, said JBSA activities "will raise awareness and provide information to the base community." The planned JBSA activities, like the celebration at Lackland Adventure Center Trails April 19, includes booths with environmental-themed information, giveaways, fitness challenges and equipment demonstrations. There will be a complimentary lunch while supplies last.
Environmental brochures, fliers and freebies will be distributed by 902nd CES energy office personnel at the Randolph Base Exchange event April 18.
Thursday is the deadline to enter the April 19 Earth Day Golf Outing, which includes 18 holes of golf, a riding cart, entry gifts, a barbecue dinner and awards. Registration will start at 10:30 a.m. the day of the event. To reserve a place, call Norbert Chavez at 652-0077.
For more information on Earth Day/Month events, call Evans at 652-2251, Lopez at 671-5305 or Lynch at 221-4251.