Live from the Forest, it’s Smokey Bear! and other fun fall feature stories from the Forest Service

In the four episodes of Smokey Bear Live! you’ll learn about campfire safety, vehicle safety, firework safety and at the end, even get to ask your question to Smokey Bear directly! (USDA Forest Service Image)

A Bear for All Seasons Smokey has long been creative in getting his message of wildfire prevention to the public. From stamps to White House visits, to hot-air balloons and even a trip into outer space, America’s most recognized bear is tireless in his wildfire prevention advocacy. This year is no different. In fact, Smokey has a new way of bringing his vital message to the public. To promote Fire Prevention Week, an entire four-part education series is being released this October by the Forest Service’s Conservation Education program to drive home the importance of wildfire prevention. The show, Smokey Bear Live, will be broadcast starting Friday, October 4, and every Friday   until the end of the month. Read more…

Taylor Smith, forestry and fire trade student, Blackwell Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center, participates in hands-on training at the Trees for Tomorrow campus located in Eagle River, Wisconsin. Conservation education will help Forest Service Job Corps students gain basic knowledge about the Forest Service mission, while also raising awareness about potential occupations in conservation. (USDA Forest Service photo by Veronica Hinke)

A First for Conservation Education The auditorium is filled with the chatter of young voices, echoing throughout the room. Conversation centers around the day’s plan and if the weather will cooperate. The noise fades as a woman approaches the podium, and all eyes turned to her. “We are going to be learning about timber, fish and wildlife, understory, range and vegetation,” said Annie Schenkoske, her voice filling the chamber. She then looked down at each of the young people seated in front of her. “And I’m going to be right there learning with you.” Read more…

Leaves make great scarecrow stuffing. Grab some old clothes and a leaf pile for some creative seasonal fun. (USDA Forest Service photo by Savannah Halleaux)

Six Artsy, Nerdy and Goofy Ways to Enjoy Fall Leaves Managing over 193 million acres of land, we see a lot of leaves. Tons of leaves drift from billions of limbs and branches to the floor on national forests across the country each autumn. To kick off autumn, here are some ideas for what you can do with autumn leaves, such as making a scarecrow, starting an herbarium, joining a citizen-scientist campaign, pampering your garden, or safely doing the classic leaf-pile jump. Read more…

Fire behavior modeling datasets provide the foundation for calculating risk across landscapes. The Rocky Mountain Research Station produces national datasets like this map of burn probability that can be used in the RiskMonitor process. (USDA Forest Service map from Forest Service Research Data Archive RDS-2020-0016-2)

Seeing the Risk Before the Flames Understanding wildfire risk can be complicated. It requires the accounting of many variables that contribute to wildfire behavior, namely terrain, fuels and weather. It also requires land managers to understand all that is at stake across a landscape — homes and communities, roads, powerlines, mature and old-growth forest, wildlife habitat and watersheds among many others. The formula it turns out is already in use in an industry that makes its money understanding risk–the insurance sector. Read more…

This Gila trout ignites learning opportunities when visitors stop by the Gila National Forest Visitor’s Center in Silver City, NM. (USDA Forest Service photo by Preston Keres)

Healing the Gila High in the Gila National Forest, the scars of the 2012 Whitewater-Baldy Fire still linger. However, while the scars left behind by the fire may run deep, the spirit of resilience runs even deeper. No place embodies that well-spring of resilience like Willow Creek. Originating on the east side of the Mogollon Mountains and traveling east to its confluence with the Gilita Creek, Willow Creek serves as one of the many headwater streams for the Gila River, a vital artery to the area. It’s also vital habitat for an iconic but threatened trout species in the region. Recognizing its significance, a diverse coalition of government agencies and non-profit organizations have united to restore Willow Creek to its former glory days from before the fire’s ravages. Read more…

Public Affairs Specialist Ruby Gonzalez on the Angeles National Forest. (USDA Forest Service photo)

A SoCal Calling to Protect Forests and Rivers Ruby Gonzalez, public affairs specialist on the Angeles National Forest, can’t pinpoint the exact moment that led to her current communications work. But she trusted in her love of the outdoors and interest in storytelling to set her on the right path. As a first-generation Latina growing up in Long Beach, California, Ruby paid attention to the issues her Mexican immigrant parents faced. And she saw firsthand the port area where she lived struggling with air quality and even bigger issues. Read more…