Tracking trees for the health of it Published April 30, 2009 By Senior Airman Christopher L. Ingersoll 100th Air Refueling Wing RAF MILDENHALL, England -- There are about 200 trees on base and they are all numbered and tracked meticulously by Richard Gray, the base Landscape Manager and Environmental Advisor. Information such as common name, genus, height, girth, condition and age are recorded every five years as part of a greater effort to preserve a beautiful landscape for the base's population. "I am the steward for the land here, and tracking the trees is part of keeping them healthy and beautiful, which is a small part of keeping the base beautiful for everyone to enjoy," said Mr. Gray. Trees, however, are not his only duty. While wearing two hats as the base's landscape manager and environmental advisor, Mr. Gray handles everything from managing contracted landscape companies, to ensuring the base meets environmental standards, which is especially important on an air refueling base which deals with a lot of fuel. "The impact of what I do varies from quality of life, which deals primarily with landscaping, to trying to prevent birds from landing near the runway by planting special grass," said Mr. Gray. "I also have to make sure that all waste is disposed of properly, and I even do pest control." Everything from rodents to fuel spills are all monitored strictly by Mr. Richard Gray who always keeps his trees numbered.