Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    Army demonstrates environmental commitment at TAFDA

    TORRANCE, CA, UNITED STATES

    05.15.2015

    Story by Staff Sgt. Marie Adams 

    201st TPASE

    TORRANCE, Calif. - Dozens of families, recruits and veterans who gathered for the 56th annual City of Torrance Armed Forces Day Celebration and Parade (TAFDA) Friday were able to see an exotic animal exhibit by the Department of Defense Environmental Division of Public Works Environmental Stewardship program.

    A long time participant in TAFDA, the Fort Irwin Public Works Environmental Division has been taking part in TAFDA for 27 years. This year it brought a wide range of venomous and non-venomous rattlesnakes, boa constrictors, tarantulas, black widows and scorpions to the event. The fan favorite amongst attendees included a great horned owl and barn owl with one wing. Mike Glassey, Ph.D., a medical entomologist and wildlife biologist from the Environmental Division at Fort Irwin, rescued both owls.

    “We bring the animals to TAFDA to make the public aware that all the environmental regulations and laws regulated by the United States environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also apply to the military and the Army,” said Muhammad Bari, director of the Environmental Division of Public Works.

    All Army installations have an environmental division charged with upholding the EPA regulations and policies to reduce impact on the environment. Glassey explained that TAFDA is a good opportunity to let the general public know the Army is a good steward of the environment.

    With more than 1,000 square miles at the National Training Center and more than 20 million acres combined Army-wide, the Army has a great responsibility to the environment and wildlife.

    Glassy teaches formal classes to Soldiers about the wildlife at Fort Irwin when they go to train at the National Training Center. He also trains Soldiers on the different species and diseases they might encounter when they are ready to deploy to desert terrain.

    “The most important thing a Soldier should know is that the wildlife is there for a purpose and should be left alone. Don’t try to catch them, or feed them, let them live their life in the desert,” said Glassey.

    “Each Soldier, family member and civilian is a caretaker of the environment at home or abroad; environmental stewardship is the future,” said Glassey.

    The parade provides and opportunity for recruits, troops and Veterans to be recognized by local citizens, increasing awareness of the military.

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 05.15.2015
    Date Posted: 05.19.2015 01:42
    Story ID: 163741
    Location: TORRANCE, CA, US

    Web Views: 40
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN