In observance of Arbor Day, we gave you an opportunity to make a sustainability promise to share with your NASA Langley community. We also planted a new tree outside of one of our most popular buildings as a reminder of your sustainability promises and to celebrate the importance of trees.
During Arbor Week, we had a tree in the IESB where you could write your sustainability promises on a paper leaf and hang it on the tree. And we had a great turnout! Here’s a sample of just a handful of the sustainability promises you made:
(Clicking the image will enlarge the image in a new window)
On Arbor Day (April 29th, 2016), we planted a new tree right outside of the IESB (B2102). The tree is a red bud, and it is a Virginia native. Red buds are one of the first trees to bloom in the spring, and is easily recognized by its lavender-pink blossoms. These early blossoms attract nectar-seeking insects, including several species of early-season butterflies. Northern bobwhite and a few songbirds, such as chickadees, will eat the seeds that develop in late fall and winter. And for you history buffs- the red bud was one of George Washington’s favorite trees. Washington reported in his diary on many occasions about the beauty of the tree and spent many hours in his garden transplanting seedlings obtained from a nearby forest.
Thank you for your participation in this year’s Arbor Day celebrations!
