National Forests on Quarters

We are so excited that six National Forests are going to be featured in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program. You can start your National Forest quarter-dollar collection in 2010, when the U.S. Mint begins issuing America the Beautiful quarters. The first National Forest commemorative coin will honor Mount Hood National Forest in Oregon.

As a part of the program, the US Mint will issue 56 circulating quarter-dollar coins with reverse designs emblematic of a national park or other national site in each state, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories—Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands.

The motto of the USDA Forest Service is “Caring for the Land, Serving People”. The Forest Service does this in part through the management of 155 National Forests. In addition to Mt. Hood, the National Forests that will be featured on the commemorative coins include:

• White Mountain NF in Northern New Hampshire and Southern Maine

• Kisatchie NF in Louisiana

• Shawnee NF in Illinois

• Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area on the Salmon-Challis NF in Idaho

• El Yuque NF in Puerto Rico

You can check out the National Site Registry, which lists all 56 sites to be honored under the program at. The quarters will be issued sequentially each year, in the order in which the featured site was first established as a national park, forest or site.

Beginning in 2010, the designs on the reverse (tails side) of the US Mint America the Beautiful Quarters will rotate five times each year, with the final (56th ) coin in the series being released in 2021. The coins' obverse (heads) will feature a restored version of the familiar 1932 portrait of George Washington, including subtle details and the beauty of the original model.

"From Mt. Hood National Forest in Oregon to White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire, America's landscape is blessed with unmatched beauty," U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who oversees the US Forest Service, said. "Our National Forests are national treasures and honoring them is an important step in preserving them for future generations."

Permalink  |  Posted: 06:00PM Sep 10, 2009 by Gayle Turner 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]

Vilsack announces ARRA projects to benefit our National Forests

Secretary Vilsack just announced an additional $274 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for conservation and restoration projects in our nation's forests. The money will mean more American jobs, better trails and scenery in the forests, and new work to maintain these national treasures. The announcement also brings the total figure for ARRA funds dedicated to National Forests to more than $936 million.

The Recovery Act projects we're announcing today are central to creating jobs and building a better, stronger economy in the future," said Secretary Vilsack. "These projects exemplify President Obama's commitment to sustainability, reducing our environmental footprint and increasing energy efficiency, which will benefit the 178 million people who visit the National Forests each year, generate additional tourism activity and stimulate local economies."

For example:

In Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, funding will go to restore Forest Service buildings constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's, and now used to hold environmental youth camps and by the general public for tourism.

In Pennsylvania, Recovery Act funds will be allocated to the improvement of the North Country National Scenic Trails network by the Student Conservation Association. The trails will be made safer and more enjoyable, and the work will involve partnership with the SCA.

In Alaska, ARRA funds will go to improvement of the Whistle Stop Program, an initiative between the Forest Service and the Alaska Railroad Corporation to upgrade access to the remote Kenai Peninsula.

You can see more stories and a state-by-state funding breakdown on the official press release, and you can see a full list of National Forest projects funded by ARRA at the U.S. Forest Service web site.

Permalink  |  Posted: 03:03PM Jul 21, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]