DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Soaring Heights Communities, a privatized Lend Lease housing community at D-M AFB, teamed up with a local landscaping company and local residents to celebrate Earth Day, April 21.

More than 70 people attended the event to take part in planting an Ash tree as well as learn about the sustainability and conservation at Soaring Heights.

“Soaring Heights takes sustainability very seriously on many levels,” said Catherine Howle, Tucson South Groundskeeper landscape consultant. “It was a great opportunity to teach these bright young minds about the importance of conservation, and also to have fun and get their hands dirty.”

To open the event U.S. Air Force Col. Rodger Schuld, 355th Mission Support Group commander, spoke about the importance of Earth Day.

"Earth day is important because we are preserving our environment for future generations,” said Schuld. “Also, native species is the way to go if you are going to plant something in your neighborhood because it keeps the air clean of allergens not native to Arizona."

Soaring Heights also hosted an Earth Day Poster Creation contest from April 1-15 for the local children. Each child received a pass to a local miniature golf course and their submissions were displayed at the welcome home center, on the Soaring heights Facebook page and at the event.

“We were thrilled to work with The Groundskeeper to plant a 24-inch Ash tree here at Ironwood Park for Earth Day,” said Jerry Schmitz, Soaring Heights Communities senior vice president and regional general manager. “We have an active community and we wanted to give our Kids’ Club participants a way to leave a positive, lasting legacy here at Soaring Heights.”