It’s All about Thinking Green and Conservation at Earth Day 2008

If you think green about our planet and conservation gets your energy pumped up, then the Earth Day celebration on April 21, 2008, at Fort Hood, Texas, had all you can handle. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) presented students and visitors with information about the water cycle, the ecosystem around their school yard, along with water quality and environmental responsibilities within their home.

More than 500 fourth and fifth grade students enjoyed exhibits focused on the earth and conservation. They received free backpacks, great food, and a day jammed with fun and adventure at Hood Stadium. The students were from East Ward, Meadows, Duncan, and Venable Village elementary schools within Fort Hood and surrounding areas.

Before the Earth Day festivities started under a big top tent in the stadium, Colonel Bill Hill, garrison commander at Fort Hood, dedicated 12 trees in a ceremony celebrating Arbor Day. Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army Addison “Tad” Davis IV, who works with environment, safety and occupational health issues, presented Fort Hood with the Secretary of the Army Environmental Award this year for environmental stewardship.

“Recognize that all of us have an impact on the environment, and we are empowered to do something about it at home, work and in your community,” Hill said.

This year’s Earth Day spectacular had something for everyone including a dinosaur exhibit and presentation by Dinosaur George Blasing, a paleontologist and speaker from San Antonio. Many of the presenters spoke about environmental topics including air and water quality, planetary topics and issues, and technology used in the study of the earth.

Earth Day presenters at Fort Hood included NRCS, Environmental Protection Agency, Blackland Research and Extension Center, Fort Hood Family Housing, Embarq, Central Texas College, Mayborn Planetarium and Space Theater, Ready Army, Texas Commission of Environmental Quality, Texas Nature Conservancy, Central Texas Clean Cities, Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District, Central Texas Council of Governments, 911, Texas AgriLife Extension, Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful, Shaw Inc., Defense Commission Agency, Fort Hood Cultural Resources, and Energy, Water & Recycle.

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In a dedication ceremony celebrating Arbor and Earth Day at Fort Hood together, Deputy Assistant Secretary Addison “Tad” Davis IV, presents Fort Hood with the Secretary of the Army Environmental Award for environmental stewardship. One of the 12 trees planted during the ceremony is in the background.	The Mayborn Planetarium and Space Theater exhibit had students listening to Welcome to our Universe, and receiving knowledge about the rotation of the Earth and its role within our solar system.
Many students learned about erosion at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality booth as Anna Dunbar, regional director at the Waco Regional Office, discusses erosion using an Enviroscape display.	With two laptop computers showing students high technology and clean air quality working together, the Austin Energy Air Quality Program and Central Texas Clean Cities combined exhibits with a message of Clean Air, Cool Austin.
Showing fourth and fifth grade students dinosaur fossils under the big top tent at Hood Stadium, Dinosaur George Blasing, a paleontologist and speaker from San Antonio, had students and visitors alike enjoying his presentation about dinosaurs and their impact on the Earth’s history.

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