Smokey Bear and Sammy Soil Team Up for Conservation

It was a moment some felt would never happen – at least not so spontaneously. The two mascots, the Forest Service’s Smokey Bear and the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Sammy Soil were amusing adults and children attending the final USDA Farmer’s Market of the year, when they met face to face on Jefferson Drive. The moment was a little tense as no one really new what would happen.

Would the two continue to “work the crowd” with little or no notice of each other? Would there be a perfunctory but reserved acknowledgement of each other’s presence? Sammy’s and Smokey’s handlers, other USDA agency staff, and passers-by stood and watched and waited. Photographers began capturing the chance meeting with clicking shutters and flashing strobes. Still nothing happened.

Then suddenly – like two siblings separated for years, there was a brilliant flash of recognition. Mission area strangers no more, they clasped hands and slapped each other on the back. There was an almost audible sigh of relief and then scattered applause.

The two mascots turned and faced the gathering as if to say, “We are all partners in conservation, whether on public or private lands!”

 

Permalink  |  Posted: 12:02PM Nov 02, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

National Interagency Fire Center Keeps Watch Coast to Coast

All too often Americans hear about wildland fires ravaging various corners of the country. Each and every day there are brave men and women working to suppress and prevent wildland fires on a nearly 700 million acres of federal public land – that’s approximately one-fifth of the total land area in the U.S.

At the heart of our nation’s wildland fire fighting efforts is the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). NIFC is the definition of interagency cooperation and is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The more than 600 employees representing eight different federal and state agencies serve as the logistical and support base for wildland fire across the nation.

From the National Interagency Coordination Center – a “Command and Control” center – NIFC monitors the entire nation. But more importantly the center is engaged in proactive fire management including hazardous fuel treatments, fire-use, and integrated fire and land-use planning. This means that although we may not see a fire burning on the news, these dedicated men and women are working hard every day to keep us safe. Their track record is impressive to say the least. Each year tens of thousands of fires ignite and that is when NIFC springs into action. The result is that 95 percent of these fires are suppressed within 24 hours.

NIFC and its employees are a model organization and a great example of the power of collaboration.

Permalink  |  Posted: 11:59AM Sep 30, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

Vilsack outlines vision for our nation's forests in Seattle remarks

With Secretary Vilsack doing so much this month, I want to make sure everyone gets a chance to check out his great remarks last week on the future of our nation’s forests, and share people’s reaction.

On Friday, between our Rural Tour stop in Western Alaska and a brief return to DC, we made the flight down to Seattle, Washington for the Secretary Vilsack to address the future of our forests in Seward Park.

The event was held in the city park, just in front of a magnificent lake, with about 100 people in attendance – Forest Service employees, Seattle residents, even a group of local kids from an Audubon Society youth program.



After Congressman Norm Dix kicked off the event with remarks on the vitality of Washington agriculture, Secretary Vilsack made clear that our nation’s forests are in critical need of restoration and renewed conservation efforts.

He outlined the important role of the forests in maintaining a safe water supply and called on all Americans to take a stake in the future of our nation’s forestlands.

The reaction was very positive among environmental groups, and the media reported on widespread agreement with the Secretary’s long-term vision.



It’s worth noting, too, that just this afternoon Vilsack announced another $94 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to go toward restoring national forests.

If you’d like to read the remarks, you can view them here; you can also check out news clips:

L.A. Times: Vilsack's forest agenda welcomed by conservationists, loggers
"Reporting from Seattle - Restoration and conservation are the goals that will guide management of the U.S. forest system under the Obama administration, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Friday."

Associated Press: Vilsack calls for renewed emphasis on forests
"U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Friday outlined a vision for managing the nation's forests that placed a high priority on restoration to protect water resources and combat climate change.

'Conserving our forests is not a luxury,' but a necessity, the former Iowa governor said at Seward Park in Seattle in his first major address on the Forest Service."

Caleb Weaver
USDA Press Secretary

Permalink  |  Posted: 05:26PM Aug 18, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

Happy 65th Birthday, Smokey Bear!

This week, the U.S. Forest Service celebrates the 65th birthday of one of its most prolific workers -- Smokey Bear. This afternoon in the Whitten Federal Building, area children and the public joined the agency for Smokey's official birthday celebration, where Forest Service officials had nothing but praise for his work.

"Smokey Bear is one of the most beloved symbols in American history and his important message has been communicated to generations of Americans during the past sixty five years," said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell.

James Hubbard, Deputy Chief of the Forest Service for State and Private Forestry, said that even though Smokey's been around long enough that he might be eligible to retire, there's still lots of work to be done. With thousands of people enjoying America's national forests every year, Smokey's message continues to be vital.

Hank Kashdan, Associate Chief of the Forest Service, thanked the kids in attendance for the birthday cards they delivered to Smokey, and outlined Smokey's 65-year history for the crowd -- from the beginning of the Forest Service's fire education efforts with Bambi and friends, to Smokey's debut in 1944. Following his remarks, Forest Service employees read Smokey's story, in both English and Spanish.



After the reading, the Alexandria Choral Society's Children's Choir sang the Smokey Bear Song for the crowd, and after some chanting for Smokey, he came out to join the party ...



For 65 years, Smokey Bear has been there to help the Forest Service remind America: "Only you can prevent wildfire." That's an important reminder, considering most fires aren't started by nature. In fact, 90% of wildfire is caused by our leaving fires unattended or coals burning. From his first day on the job, Smokey has been there to help Americans understand how their actions can affect the future of one of our most important national treasures.

Be sure to check out Smokey's web site for more information on his history and birthday.

Permalink  |  Posted: 03:50PM Aug 10, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]