R 071300Z APR 23 
MARADMIN 181/23
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC L LF//
SUBJ/EARTH DAY MESSAGE 2023//
POC/C. SAKAI/CIV/MCICOM GF/I&L/(571)256-2806/DSN: 260-2806/CRAIG.SAKAI@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Marine Corps installations provide the platform to support readiness, forward presence and the ability to project power. This foundation is increasingly challenged by dynamic natural and human-based resource threats. Now and for the foreseeable future, encroachment, environmental concerns, energy requirements, and the effects of climate change will all be factors that impact our installations’ ability and capacity to meet training and operational needs. As the nation’s naval expeditionary force-in-readiness, we must defend our installations by continuing our sound stewardship ofthe precious national resources entrusted to us by the Americanpeople. As we approach Earth Day 2023, celebrated on 22 April, takethe opportunity to reflect on how the Marine Corps and each of us individually can invest in our planet to ensure we are ready whenever our nation calls.
2.  Marine Corps Installations Command supports Fleet Marine Force readiness and warfighting with an investment portfolio that includes energy and climate resilience, environmental protection, encroachmentprevention, and natural and cultural resources conservation. Ourcurrent investments in these efforts include: Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany becoming the first “Net Zero” installation in the Marine Corps; executing over $159 million in Department of Defense Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration funding and leveraging over $142 million in partner match to conserve and protect nearly 109,000 acres of land around our installations; and partnering in the One Trillion Trees Initiative to plant over a million trees at Townsend Bombing Range in order to ensure continued training area sustainability. These current efforts and many others benefit the environment and enable us to promote both readiness and resiliency.  
3.  Earth Day is also an opportunity to recognize the importance of individual Marine actions. I encourage Marines to continue and increase seemingly small individual actions that when taken together, have significant positive environmental and mission impacts. Every item recycled, every reduction in energy consumption and every environmental best practice implemented pays dividends over time. Additionally, I encourage Marines to partner with our installations and surrounding communities by supporting environmental activities that demonstrate our good stewardship so we can continue to maximize training and readiness opportunities. 
4.  Information and outreach materials related to Earth Day can be found at:  https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/installationresilience

5.  Release authorized by SES James B. Balocki, Deputy Assistant Deputy Commandant, Installations and Logistics (Facilities).//