Nov. 19, 2007
OUR PUBLIC LIFE: US Forest Service Gets a Grade of A+
By Craig Hammond
The US Forest Service, which manages 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands, was established in 1905. Their motto -- "Caring for the Land and Serving the People" -- truly describes this invaluable service.
More than 30,000 people make up the work force of the Forest Service. And while most perform their professional duties in the most scenic outdoor areas in the country, many can be found in research laboratories and field offices across the nation.
The operations of the Forest Service include 9 regional offices, 116 Forest headquarters, and 570 ranger districts. Forest Service professionals can be found working with soil, water, wildlife, fish, wood, recreation, and minerals just to name a few. And of course, the US Forest Service Smoke Jumpers (firefighters that parachute into remote areas to combat wildfires) are known - and respected - around the world as being the best.
The Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois offers some of the nation's best picnicking, camping, hiking and fishing activities. Recently, the folks at Shawnee partnered with Shawnee Community College and the University of Illinois extension service to establish the nationally recognized Master Trail Stewards Program where participants excell in trail construction and maintenance techniques.
The Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia is home of some of the world's special places such as Spruce Knob, Seneca Rocks and Dolly Sods Wilderness.
Seneca Rocks
Throughout the history of the Forest Service controversies have occured, especially when the various interests of grazing, timber, mining, and recreation collide. But the hard working people of the US Forest Service remain dedicated to "Caring for the Land and Serving the People." They enhance our public life and deserve the grade of A+.
Our Public Life, a weekly column by Craig Hammond, former mayor of Bluefield, WV and host of RadioActive, is dedicated to the institutions that enhance our public life.
OUR PUBLIC LIFE: US Forest Service Gets a Grade of A+
By Craig Hammond
The US Forest Service, which manages 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands, was established in 1905. Their motto -- "Caring for the Land and Serving the People" -- truly describes this invaluable service.
More than 30,000 people make up the work force of the Forest Service. And while most perform their professional duties in the most scenic outdoor areas in the country, many can be found in research laboratories and field offices across the nation.
The operations of the Forest Service include 9 regional offices, 116 Forest headquarters, and 570 ranger districts. Forest Service professionals can be found working with soil, water, wildlife, fish, wood, recreation, and minerals just to name a few. And of course, the US Forest Service Smoke Jumpers (firefighters that parachute into remote areas to combat wildfires) are known - and respected - around the world as being the best.
The Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois offers some of the nation's best picnicking, camping, hiking and fishing activities. Recently, the folks at Shawnee partnered with Shawnee Community College and the University of Illinois extension service to establish the nationally recognized Master Trail Stewards Program where participants excell in trail construction and maintenance techniques.
The Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia is home of some of the world's special places such as Spruce Knob, Seneca Rocks and Dolly Sods Wilderness.
Seneca Rocks
Throughout the history of the Forest Service controversies have occured, especially when the various interests of grazing, timber, mining, and recreation collide. But the hard working people of the US Forest Service remain dedicated to "Caring for the Land and Serving the People." They enhance our public life and deserve the grade of A+.
Our Public Life, a weekly column by Craig Hammond, former mayor of Bluefield, WV and host of RadioActive, is dedicated to the institutions that enhance our public life.
