Spring for many people means cleaning out the old and refreshing homes and offices after the cold, wet winter season. The Directorate of Public Works is responsible for several programs to help workers and residents on the installation maintain the post as a pristine environment.

As military and civilian members of Fort Monroe prepare to exit the post because of Base Realignment and Closure, the tradition of spring cleaning may include efforts to clean out desks, remove outdated records from file cabinets and turn in unused furniture.

As members of DPW clean out old sections of the casemate inside the moat, workers sometimes ask why many items have been kept far beyond their usefulness. We now have an opportunity to recycle, reduce or reuse things that are in our offices or homes to keep from encumbering the system during the last months we are open here.

Spring also means DPW will kick off monthly Clean Sweep walks at lunch time through our Project Pride program beginning on Earth Day April 22. This year, the Environmental Division will give away loblolly pine trees to the first 100 people who sign up to pick up litter on Monroe during the walk.

Besides the Clean Sweep walks, Adopt-A-Spot programs are also available.

Teams may select an area on post to keep tidy throughout the year.

The motto of our Project Pride program is “I Keep Fort Monroe Clean and Beautiful.”

As one drives through or walks around Fort Monroe, DPW hopes that all can see the pride that everyone takes.

This pride extends to homes as well. Residents, as well as workers, can keep plastic grocery bags out of landfills and the environment by taking them to Building 221 or Building 246, where recycling boxes are in place.

Fort Monroe youth are participating in a friendly contest to see who can collect the most recycled bags. These will be given to Trex Company which will make recycled lumber for decking. For more details, visit www.trex.com.

For information on reducing down in work spaces, call the DPW recycling team at 788-3166 or 788-2444. To sign up for an Adopt-A-Spot, call 788-2444 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays.