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Fort Knox announces 2024 Arbor Day events

By Savannah BairdApril 16, 2024

(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT KNOX, Ky. — In honor of Arbor Day, the Fort Knox Environmental Management Division and

Natural Resources Branch will be hosting activities at the main Exchange from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  April 26.

In addition to the Qualified Recycle Center’s normal collection schedule, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Environmental Division will also have representatives at the PX, providing a collection point for the Buddy Bench Program.

Since its inception during Earth Day 2023, the Buddy Bench Program has become an ongoing effort to collect specific recyclable plastics that include plastic caps, Tupperware lids and kicker box lids and bottoms. Items that are not accepted are metals, paper products, bottle bases, cardboard and food containers.

During its first year, the Buddy Bench Program has been able to stop over 8,000 pounds of plastic from entering landfills by converting the items into five Buddy Bench tables and 15 buddy benches strategically placed around the Fort Knox community.

Natural Resources Branch personnel will also be present at the PX on Arbor Day to continue their 14-year tradition of handing out various tree seedlings. With an average yearly dispersal of 500 seedlings, the branch has handed out roughly 6,000 seedlings to date.

In their research, Natural Resources biologists have selected seedlings they deem best suited for Kentucky. Those seedlings include the Eastern redbud, flowering dogwood, Shumard Oak, sugar maple, white pine and bald cypress.

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Editor’s Note: If you would like to donate approved plastic items for the Buddy Bench Program, take them directly to the Qualified Recycle Center, located at 309 Frazier Road Monday-Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. to noon, and 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 502-624-5026.

(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL