Honorary Forest Rangers

Did you know that Smokey Bear has his own zip code? Or that a quarter of U.S. ski resorts are located on national forests? To celebrate 120 years of the USDA Forest Service, we bring you these and 10 more fascinating facts about the agency whose motto is “Caring for the Land and Serving People.” In 1905, wood was in the forefront of American minds. Cities, railroads, communications and homes ran on wood – in fact, wood served as the main energy source in the U.S. until 1880. Its importance meant it had to be managed. Enter: the Forest Service. …There have only been three Honorary Forest Rangers to the Forest Service: actress Betty White, Rolling Stones’ keyboardist and musical director Chuck Leavell, and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. While these honors are recent, to become a forest ranger in 1905, you had to pass a challenging written test and a field exam. …The legend himself, Smokey Bear is the longest continuously running public service campaign in U.S. history.