Grand Forks Air Force Base Accepts Tree City USA Award 20th Year Running Published May 23, 2013 By Staff Sgt. Amanda Grabiec and Airman 1st Class Zachiah Roberson 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Col. Paul E. Bauman, 319th Air Base Wing commander, accepted the 2012 Tree City USA Award on behalf of Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., during an Arbor Day celebration May 20 at the base Youth Center. This year marks the 20th consecutive time that the award has been presented to the base. "Receiving this recognition for 20 years straight is a great achievement for the men and women of Grand Forks Air Force Base," Bauman said. Only 50 of the 350 communities in North Dakota are selected to receive the award each year. The base earned the award after meeting all the Tree City USA standards: Having a tree board, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. "This award is not won, but given, to the communities in North Dakota that truly care about their environment," said Susan Bartels, a community forestry specialist with the North Dakota Forest Service. Arbor Day was founded by J. Sterling Morton in 1872 as a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care. With the assistance of several base children, seven trees will be planted at the Youth Center in honor of Arbor Day.