Photo By Susanne Greene | 220422-N-LL092-004 YORKTOWN, VA (April 22, 2022) –U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Ryan...... read more read more
(YORKTOWN, VA) – Naval Weapons Station Yorktown is committed to being a good environmental steward and to protecting the installation’s natural resources year round.
“The US Navy cares and understands that performing its critical mission and protecting natural resources are not mutually exclusive,” stated Jeff Kissler, REM, Installation Environmental Program Director. “The Navy’s commitment to both is beneficial to our workforce and the installation’s surrounding communities.”
NWS Yorktown’s sailors, civilians and Marines are hard at work to make sure they protect the installation’s natural resources and York River.
“On 1 April, sixty sailors and civilians attached to NWS Yorktown, Naval Construction Handling Battalion One, Naval Ophthalmic Support and Training Activity, the Navy Facilities Engineering Command Public Works Department and Fleet and Family Readiness Center came together to clean 7 miles of shore line along the York River,” stated Chief Boatswain’s Mate Earnest W. Hightower, IV. “The team collected 46 bags of trash, tires, and metal debris totaling 1,270 lbs. in support of Commander, Navy Region MID-ATLANTIC and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Clean the Bay Day.”
On 22 April, Marines from Marine Corps Security Force Regiment (MCSFR) aboard Naval Weapons Station Yorktown (NWSY), worked with the installation’s Environmental Division on another important project. They carefully removed stabilizing cables from recently planted trees that were emplaced during MCSFR’s relocation to NWSY. This included planting a new tree to support the installation’s environmental initiatives. Additionally, the Marines participated in the installations Sexual Assault Prevention and Response/Earth Day 5K awareness run to further environmental awareness and prevention efforts.
“Stabilizing wires and ropes are important when first planting trees and if they are not removed, will start to cut into the tree's bark severing the water vessels,” stated Tom Olexa, Natural Resources Manager. “Trees are considered an asset on all Navy installations and provide invaluable support to the surrounding ecosystem but also much needed shade to service members who are training on hot summer days.”
The installation is also engaging with other partners to protect the York River and military assets. One example, is the Coastal Living Shoreline Restoration project in partnership with Office of the Secretary of Defense, US Army Corp of Engineers, Virginia Institute of Marine Science and other state and federal agencies.
“The project will support the integrity of much of the weapon station’s shoreline and benefit local Oyster Farmers using those areas,” stated Olexa.
Although Earth Day is recognized on 22 April, NWS Yorktown is continuously managing several habitats by mowing, clearing brush and planting to ensure a healthy ecosystem and providing local wildlife a bountiful environment that allows them to flourish.
| Date Taken: | 04.22.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 04.25.2022 08:45 |
| Story ID: | 419103 |
| Location: | YORKTOWN, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 106 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown Celebrates Earth Day, by Susanne Greene, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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