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Show 2 COMMENTARY Earth Day 2014: Conserve today — secure tomorrow TIMES May 1, 2014 BY HARRY BRIESMASTER III 75th Civil Engineer Group Director Hilltop TIMES vveexiy duce 194E Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Charles Horton Standard-Examiner publisher Mitch Shaw Hilltop Times Writer Sarah Stoll Hilltop Times Correspondent Dana Rimington Hilltop Times Correspondent Deadlines: Editorial and news items are due by noon on the Friday prior to the Thursday print date. To submit news items email75abw.pa@us.af.mil or call 801-777-1902. For Classified Advertising, call 801-625-4300. For Retail Advertising, call 801-625-4388. The Hilltop Times is published by Ogden Publishing Corp., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under, and in compliance with, a Memorandum of Understanding with Hill Air Force Base. The content of the Hilltop Times does not necessarily represent the views of, nor is it endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or Hill Air Force Base (collectively, the Government). The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Government of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Standard-Examiner, 332 Standard Way, Ogden, Utah, 84404. Additional editorial content is provided by various military and civilian wire services and Hill Air Force Base public affairs departments. Call 801-777-1902 with story ideas or comments, or email 75abw.pa@us.af.mil . Call 801-625-4300 for Classified Advertising or 801-6254388 for Retail Advertising. ach year, on April 22, the Air Force joins with the rest of the country in recognizing Earth Day to remind us to be responsible stewards of our environment and natural resources so that we are better able to "fly, fight, and win" both now and in the future. The Air Force's theme for Earth Day this year was "Conserve Today — Secure Tomorrow" and our focus this entire year is on sustainability — the capacity to continue the mission without compromise and to operate into the future without decline. For Hill, this takes on a multidimensional approach because of our missions here at the base and at the Utah Test and Training Range. Sustainability, according to Merriam-Webster is: "able to be used without being completely used up or destroyed: involving methods that do not completely use up or destroy natural resources: able to last or continue for a long time." For the Air Force, this means that we have, and will continue to have, the water, materials, and resources to protect human health and our environment. Everyone who works, lives, and utilizes the base has a role to play in sustainability. It means that we always incorporate environmentally friendly practices into mission-related processes and activities. It means that we are doing our part to find new ways to conserve energy and water, as well as reducing our dependence on harmful chemicals. It means that we search for ways to be more efficient by reducing waste, by conserving and reusing natural resources, and by recycling as much as possible. Hill is a very industrial base and a significant user when it comes to energy utilization. Those who work in these industri- al areas and work with these industrial processes should always be looking at ways to reduce energy use. Our 75th Civil Engineer Group is continually looking at ways to make facilities more energy efficient, but we also need to focus on equipment used for industrial processes to help reduce our consumption. The ways that we handle hazardous materials and other waste byproducts of these industrial processes can also make a huge difference, and good protocols are in place to assure safe handling for human health and the environment. We have an outstanding recycling program on base that gives us all an opportunity to make a difference. We recycle a vast amount of scrap metal from the industrial side of the base, along with batteries and used oil. We also have a tremendous opportunity in our office work areas to make a difference. There are some things that may seem small to do, but when added up can have a large impact on our base. For example: • Are we recycling paper and cardboard? • Are we thinking about what we are tossing in our garbage cans versus throwing into a recycling container? • Are we using durable water bottles instead of disposable water bottles? • If we do use a disposable water bottle, are we recycling those bottles or reusing them? • Are we recycling aluminum cans? • Do we turn off the overhead lights if there is enough natural light in a building? • Are we using energy efficient power strips on the computers? These are just the simple, everyday decisions that do not take much planning but can make a big difference when all 20,000plus of us work together to do this. There are also things that we can do that take a little more planning, but can have positive impacts on sustainability. These include: Taking the new public transportation option offered by the Utah Transit Authority or car pooling, van pooling or riding a bike to work. Not only will you save on fuel costs, but you will also get some extra time to read, sleep, or converse with friends, family or co-workers or even get that opportunity for some needed exercise. Another thing we can consider paying extra attention to — especially in Utah, the nation's second driest state — is water conservation. We need to be proactive when we are mandated to cut water usage. Much of our water consumption is due to irrigation of landscaping, including lawns. We can do much better by reducing both the frequency and duration of watering. Initially, there might be some stress on some of the grass and plants that have been over watered in the past, but most will adapt and send roots further down into the soil profile to obtain water. In doing so, the plants become stronger and are better able to withstand severe drought events. Related to this is the plant and grass species that we select for our landscaping. By selecting the right plants for our climate, we can have something that still looks nice, but does not require as much water. Other initiatives that can be done include planting trees that provide shade without being a maintenance or liability problem down the road. Planting trees on southern exposures helps reduce cooling needs in the summer and reduces energy consumption. Trees also reduce air pollution by removing carbon dioxide and converting it to oxygen. Trees also shade our grass and other landscape plants and will reduce evaporation of water in the soil making more available for the plants. Trees are also capable of deflecting wind and absorbing sound. Both are important for Hill. 'frees also add beauty and improve personal health. Imagine Hill without trees. It would be a sterile environment that would be very hot in the summer and colder in the winter because of the wind effects. Hill is fortunate to have many trees, and we were recently recognized for the 21st year in a row as a Tree City USA community. On the Utah Test and 'Training Range, many of the same energy and recycling measures are in place, but many of the sustainability measures are different. For example, the west desert of Utah has been invaded by an invasive grass species called cheatgrass. Cheatgrass is a winter annual that starts to grow in November and has completed its life cycle by the end of June. It provides fuel for large scale fires that consume native plants and leads to more cheatgrass. This cycle continues until rangeland becomes unsustainable without some intermediary steps. Currently, approximately 500-600 acres of rangeland at the UTTR is being restored on an annual basis to eliminate cheatgrass. This involves planting many species that are competitive with cheatgrass and other invasive annual weeds. By doing this, we are reducing fire potential and preserving the opportunity to continue to train and test as the mission requires. This measure improves the landscape and keeps it sustainable now and into the future. It protects areas from soil and wind erosion, increases air quality, improves wildlife habitat, and creates a realistic environment for training for the war fighter. Earth Day again reminded us to be responsible stewards of our environment and natural resources, But to be successful, we need the help of every base employee to do their part and to look at new ways to conserve energy and valuable resources. May is Mental Health Awareness Month community. Mental health is a foundation for individual well-being and the effective functioning of our Air Force community. Staying mentally healthy is as important as staying physically healthy. The following four steps are a pathway to mental wellbeing. Step 1. Healthy Diet. Consume a variety of foods. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables balanced with healthy sources of protein. Eat moderate amounts of fats and oils. Limit salt and sugar intake. Goal: Eat breakfast daily. Replace one snack BY CAPT. RYAN W. WILKES Hill AFB Mental Health Clinic HAWC Nest Fitness Tip from the Health and Wellness Center Did you know that smokers lose more than 10 years of life from smoking, but it's never too late to gain back most of the years you may lose from smoking. Are you ready to quit? Call the HAWC at 777-1215 today ... YOU CAN AFFORD TO QUIT SMOKING . THINK SAFETY Hill's Total 2014 DUls: 3 Hill's Last DUI: 7/1evre% /6 Unit Involved: sgra Vicaliteaciace 946 4 Airmen Against Drinking and Driving provide rides when designated drivers are unavailable. Call 777-1111 to request a ride anytime. Hours of operation: Fridays-Saturdays 10 p.m.- 6 a.m. Sundays 9 p.m.-midnight. M ay is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health is an integral and essential component of your overall health. Mental health is more than absence of mental disorder or disability. Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, works productively, and is able to make a contribution to his or her daily with a fruit or vegetable. Step 2. Exercise. Regular physical activity can help control body weight, reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, and improve brain function and mood. Goal: Be active every day. Obtain 150 minutes of moderately intense exercise weekly. Step 3. Relaxation. Stress is the physical and emotional tension you feel in response to situations that stretch your current skills and abilities. Goal: Take time each day to unwind. Regularly engage in self-care activities. Step 4. Healthy Sleep. Consistent, quality sleep enhances physical and psychological resources to cope with life. Without adequate sleep, you must work harder to get daily tasks done and you have less energy. Goal: Obtain 7-9 hours of sleep nightly. Being resilient can help reduce stress and decrease the risk of developing physical, mental, or emotional health concerns. Resilience can be learned and developed. Try these strategies to boost your resilience: seeking support, attending to spiritual wellness, goal setting, maintaining flexibility and balance in your life, using humor, having gratitude, using helping resources, setting and sticking to routines, keeping things in perspective, giving service, listening to music, and healthy communication. For more information, check out useful classes and services available on the Integrated Delivery System (IDS) Resiliency Course Catalog at httpi/ www.hill.af.mil/shared/ media/document/AFD120125-017.pdf Some of the material used in this article is courtesy of the World Health Organization and Mental Health America. 21r.101d -' MAj5? 1 Report suspicious activity via the AFOSI EAGLE EYES program Dial: 777-3056 / 3057/ 3058. Watch — Report — Protect Force Protection is Our Business — Everyone is a Sensor 777-3056 Equal Opportunity Office Security Forces 777-3056 Employer Relations 24-hr, Crisis Information Military Pay Force Support Squadron ................. Base Restaurants ..................................... 777-2043 Civilian Pay 777-6142 Air Force Suggestion Retirement/Compensation (civilian) Program 777-5455 Hill Straight Talk 777 9696 (recording) 777-7129 IG Complaints 777-5305 Loud Noise 777-1851 (for appointment) (complaints) 777-6246 IG Complaints 777-5361 75th Medical Group 777-6901 (after hours) Civil Engineering Fraud, Waste or Abuse ......... ................... .777-5361 Public Affairs - 1-877-885-9595 777-4918 777-1856 777-5333 |