HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah — The 75th Civil Engineer Group’s Energy Management Office and Environmental Management Branch invite Hill AFB’s military, civilians, retirees and families, of all ages, to the third annual “Kickin’ It … for Conservation,” an Energy & Environmental Fair, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m., June 7.
The event will be held in the parking lot north of Centennial Park and east of Warrior Fitness. There will be displays, booths, hands-on activities, and food. The event will be free and open to those with ID cards and access to the base.
“This is our annual recognition of Earth Day (April 22),” said Michelle Cottle, the 75th Civil Engineer Group Environmental Branch Chief. “Because the weather is so unpredictable in April, we have begun holding our recognition later. We want everyone to come out and enjoy the outdoors.”
The afternoon will kick off with the signing of a Tree City USA Proclamation by 75th Air Base Wing commander Col. Jon A. Eberlan.
The proclamation designates June 7, 2018, as Arbor Day on Hill AFB and recognizes the base as “Tree City USA” for the 25th consecutive year and the Air Force’s commitment in keeping Hill AFB green with trees.
Not only will the event focus on resilience and environmental preservation, it will focus on the Air Force commitment to energy efficiency through interactive displays and educational opportunities.
“We are preparing the base for the energy challenges of tomorrow with the realities of today,” said Nickolas King, the Hill AFB Energy/Utility manager.
The afternoon includes:
• Participation in the traditional native activity of creating a split twig figurine – found in numerous archaeological sites throughout Utah.
• Rios Pacheco from the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone will be available to talk about tribal current and historic uses of native plants.
• Judy Calhoun and her Golden Eagle “Glorious Aureus” will make three presentations about what makes raptors unique and why they are important as nature’s environmental barometers.
• Hill AFB Entomology will highlight bugs and critters on the base.
• Wild About Birds will offer backyard bird feeding techniques and tips, as well as other bird related items.
• Weber Basin Water Conservancy District will present information about water resources and plants for the local environment.
• Home Depot will teach children how to make and keep their own bird houses.
• Painting Plaster of Paris wildlife tracks will be offered.
• Information will be presented from the Hill AFB Natural Resources Team about Utah animals and other natural resources.
• A red-tailed hawk nest, as well as nests from other species, will be available.
• Wildlife live-trapping demonstrations, such as for deer and Golden Eagles.
• A very large Air Force agricultural tractor used for range restoration at the Utah Test and Training Range will be on display.
• Some battery powered motorcycles, automobiles and bicycles.
“This event offers a hands-on approach to learning about the environment and those species within it,” said Karen Bastian, Hill AFB’s energy outreach coordinator. “Children and adults can gain an appreciation of how species survive and how important they are to the ecosystem. We can all gain some understanding and appreciation of how fragile the environment really is.”
