HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah — The 75th Civil Engineer Group’s Energy Management Office and Environmental Management Branch invite Hill Air Force Base’s military, civilians, retirees and families, of all ages, to the fourth annual Kickin’ It for Conservation, an energy and environmental fair, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Aug. 8.
The event will be held at Centennial Park. There will be displays, booths, hands-on activities, and food. The event will be free and open to those with access to the base.
“We are partnering with the 75th Force Support Squadron for our annual recognition of Earth Day where we offer the opportunity to learn how we can conserve energy and protect the environment” said Michelle Cottle, the 75th Civil Engineer Group Environmental Branch chief. A 90-minute release time will be offered for civilians and there are activities for all ages to learn about animals, plants, birds, electric vehicles, and conservation efforts.
The event will kick off with the signing of a Tree City USA Proclamation. The proclamation designates August 8, 2019 as Arbor Day at Hill AFB and recognizes the base as “Tree City USA” for the 26th consecutive year and the Air Force’s commitment in keeping the installation 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.
Some of the activities and encounters at this event include:
Participation in traditional native activities and painting Plaster of Paris wildlife tracks.
Wildlife observations and learning about the bugs, critters, wildlife, and habitats on and around Hill AFB.
Battery powered automobile displays.
The chance to watch a rock-crawler in action.
The opportunity to test drive a battery powered bicycle.
Wildlife live-trapping demonstrations, such as for deer and Golden Eagles.
Building bird houses.
Tips on fire prevention, response, and the impacts of fire on the environment.
Wildland fire and environmental awareness display, by the Forest Service.
An interactive display on outdoor recreational opportunities, by the National Park Service.
Information on backyard bird feeding techniques and tips, as well as other bird related items, by Wild About Birds.
Presentations about water resources and plants for the local environment, by Weber Basin Water Conservancy District.
Hill AFB Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Program (STEM) activities.
“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.”
If you would like to volunteer to help at this event, contact Russ Lawrence at 801-775-6972 or clair.lawrence@us.af.mil.
