Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Jessica Tukes | SILVERDALE, Wash. (April 22, 2021) An overview of Trident Lakes onboard Naval Base...... read more read more
More than 20 Sailors and Marines assigned to Naval Base Kitsap and its tenant commands participated in a trail rehabilitation project in honor of Earth Day onboard NBK-Bangor, April 22.
As part of trail rehabilitation efforts, Sailors and Marines picked up trash and trimmed and removed overgrown vegetation.
The trail rehabilitation was the first in-person Earth Day event for NBK since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, which allowed for gathering while ensuring social distancing and mask wearing. The Sailors and Marines were split into groups of no more than five people and spread out over three miles worth of trails.
“Unfortunately, all events that were planned for last year’s Earth Day had to be canceled due to the pandemic,” said Lt. Cmdr. John Dugger, an organizer for the trail rehabilitation project. “The current status of the pandemic still doesn’t allow for a large Earth Day event, but it does allow us to do more than just cleanup around our buildings which is all we could safely accomplish last year.”
NBK’s Command Master Chief, Mark Schlosser, walked the trails, where he picked up trash, talked with Sailors and Marines and thanked them for their participation. He also emphasized the importance of the event in support of Earth Day and NBK’s ongoing environmental stewardship efforts.
“We gather today to beautify our installation and protect the environment in the name of Earth Day,” Schlosser said. “We see Sailors, Marines and civilians out here working together. We’re one team, one fight.”
For Dugger, the trail rehabilitation project is a way to give back to the local environment and those who enjoy its many natural wonders. He hopes that it can invoke the spirit of stewardship in others and inspire future action toward protecting our Earth.
“Washington State has a glorious forestry ecosystem,” said Dugger. “These trails are a beautiful way to get out and explore nature right in one’s backyard. They also give people the opportunity to find their own meaning of Earth Day. Hopefully, our efforts can inspire everyone on the trails to take actions that will benefit our planet for generations to come.”
Earth Day is an annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EarthDay.org including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. This year’s Earth Day theme is “Restore Our Earth”, which focuses on natural processes, emerging green technologies, and innovative thinking that can restore the world's ecosystems.
Naval Base Kitsap serves to support the Navy by providing reliable and timely base operating services for our ships, submarines, and shore commands in Bangor, Bremerton, Keyport and Manchester. NBK provides critical services, programs and facilities that meet the needs of hosted war-fighting commands and installation employees supporting and enhancing Fleet, Fighter and Family readiness. NBK will continue to be the best place to serve in the Navy.
| Date Taken: | 04.23.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 04.28.2021 11:48 |
| Story ID: | 395004 |
| Location: | SILVERDALE, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 63 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Naval Base Kitsap Honors Earth Day, by PO2 Jessica Tukes, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
Naval Base Kitsap - Bangor
