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American, Spanish Navies Partner to Replenish Trees at Naval Station Rota

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060426-24
Release Date: 4/26/2006 10:00:00 PM

By Kristin Rosa-Velasquez, Naval Station Rota Public Affairs

ROTA, Spain (NNS) -- Through a partnership between the Spanish and American navies at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota, nearly 100 trees were planted on base April 25 as part of a tree replacement program.

Called the En Route Program, it addresses base environmental issues, including how to reduce the removal of trees and vegetation during base construction. While trees have their day in the spotlight worldwide during Arbor Day April 28, NAVSTA Rota values its leafy inhabitants all year long thanks to En Route.

“We worked with the Spanish navy and local authorities to provide a plan to replace trees that had to be removed during construction,” said Ronald Black, director of engineering for Public Works Department (PWD).

The result of their collaboration was to plant two trees for each one that was removed. The golf course, housing, airfield and other base locations became home to the replacement trees.

According to Black, several departments and organizations help maintain the base’s vegetation. These include PWD, which worked to reduce the number of trees removed during some recent construction on base; environmental division, which guided design staff with environmental issues during the project; and the Spanish navy, which worked with local authorities to receive proper authorizations.

“The challenges to provide environmentally friendly facilities was a difficult task, and the naval station is fortunate to have an outstanding environmental staff who supported those efforts,” Black said.

The replacement trees planted around base serve multiple purposes, environmental as well as aesthetic.

“Trees and vegetation are useful in many aspects of design,” Black said. “Properly utilized, landscape design can reduce erosion and energy consumption, serve as wind and noise breaks, and provide aesthetic features to a project.”