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History of the United States Forest Service facts for kids

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Pinchot Roosevelt
Gifford Pinchot (right) and Theodore Roosevelt helped create the Forest Service.

The United States Forest Service is a government agency that protects and manages millions of acres of forests and grasslands across the United States. It's part of the Department of Agriculture. The Forest Service makes sure these public lands are used wisely for everyone.

It all started in 1876. Over time, the agency changed its name several times. Early leaders like Gifford Pinchot, who believed in using science to manage forests, worked with President Theodore Roosevelt. They wanted to make sure forests were managed for the good of all people.

For many years, there has been a friendly competition between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior over who should manage the forests. But the Forest Service has always stayed with the Department of Agriculture.

How the Forest Service Began

In 1876, the government created a special office to study the forests in the United States. Franklin B. Hough was the first person in charge. This office grew and became the Division of Forestry in 1881.

In 1891, the Forest Reserve Act of 1891 allowed the government to set aside public lands as "forest reserves." These reserves were first managed by the Department of the Interior.

The Division of Forestry changed its name again in 1901 to the Bureau of Forestry. Then, in 1905, a law called the Transfer Act of 1905 moved the forest reserves from the Department of the Interior to the Bureau of Forestry. This is when the agency officially became the US Forest Service. Gifford Pinchot became its very first Chief Forester.

Later, in 1911, the Weeks Act was passed. This law allowed the government to buy private lands. They bought these lands to protect rivers and streams, and to keep them as national forests. This helped the national forest system grow into the eastern parts of the United States.

Important Moments in Forest Service History

  • 1876 The government creates an office to study U.S. forests.
  • 1881 This office becomes the Division of Forestry.
  • 1891 The Forest Reserve Act allows setting aside "forest reserves" on public land.
  • 1901 The Division of Forestry is renamed the Bureau of Forestry.
  • 1905 The management of forest reserves moves to the Bureau of Forestry. The agency is renamed the Forest Service.
  • 1905–1945 National forests focus on preventing overgrazing, fighting fires, protecting wildlife, and offering outdoor fun.
  • 1910 The Great Fire of 1910 burns huge areas in the West.
  • 1911 The Weeks Act allows the government to buy private lands. This helps expand national forests in the Eastern U.S.
  • 1922 The General Land Exchange Act of 1922 allows the government to trade land inside national forest borders.
  • 1944 The Forest Service starts the famous "Only YOU can prevent forest fires" campaign. Smokey Bear becomes a well-known symbol for fire safety.
  • 1946–1960 More people use national forests for timber and recreation.
  • 1960–1980 The Forest Service starts managing land as whole systems. This means looking at all resources together, not just one at a time.
  • 1989 A new plan called "New Perspectives" focuses on managing ecosystems and keeping forests healthy for the long term. This includes protecting different plants and animals, water quality, and recreation.
  • 2001 The National Fire Plan is created. It helps deal with too much dry fuel in forests, which can cause big fires.

Key Laws for Our Forests

Many important laws guide the work of the Forest Service. Here are some of them:

  • Forest Reserve Act of 1891 (1891): This law gave the President the power to create forest reserves from public lands. These reserves became the start of our National Forest System.
  • Forest Service Organic Administration Act (1897): This was the first main law for managing national forests. It explained why forest reserves were created and how they should be protected.
  • Transfer Act of 1905 (1905): This law officially moved the forest reserves from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Agriculture.
  • Weeks Act (1911): This law allowed the government to buy private lands. This helped create national forests in the eastern United States.
  • Multiple Use - Sustained Yield Act of 1960 (1960): This law says that national forests are for many uses. These include outdoor fun, grazing animals, timber, protecting water, and supporting fish and wildlife.
  • Wilderness Act (1964): This law created the National Wilderness Preservation System. It set aside special areas to be kept wild and natural for everyone to enjoy.
  • Clean Water Act (1972): This important law aims to keep our nation's rivers, lakes, and streams clean and healthy.
  • Clean Air Act (1970): This law helps control air pollution and works to provide clean air for everyone.
  • Endangered Species Act (1973): This law protects plants and animals that are in danger of disappearing forever. It also protects their homes.
  • National Forest Management Act of 1976 (1976): This law guides how national forests are managed. It requires plans for each forest unit, focusing on using resources wisely and keeping them healthy for the future.

Leaders of the Forest Service

Forest Service Chief Foresters Years of Service Name of Agency Education
a. Franklin B. Hough 1876–1883 Division of Forestry Union College, Western Reserve College
b. Nathaniel H. Egleston 1883–1886 Division of Forestry Yale University, Yale Divinity School
c. Bernhard Eduard Fernow 1886–1898 Division of Forestry University of Königsberg; Prussian Forest Academy at Münden
1 Gifford Pinchot 1898–1901 Division of Forestry Yale University
1901–1905 Bureau of Forestry
1905–1910 U.S. Forest Service
2 Henry "Harry" Solon Graves 1910–1920 U.S. Forest Service Yale University
3 William B. Greeley 1920 -1928 U.S. Forest Service University of California & Yale Forestry School
4 Robert Y. Stuart 1928–1933 U.S. Forest Service Dickinson College & Yale Forestry School
5 Ferdinand A. Silcox 1933–1939 U.S. Forest Service College of Charleston & Yale Forestry School
6 Earle H. Clapp 1939–1943 (acting) U.S. Forest Service University of Michigan
7 Lyle F. Watts 1943–1952 U.S. Forest Service Iowa State College & Forestry School
8 Richard E. McArdle 1952–1962 U.S. Forest Service University of Michigan
9 Edward P. Cliff 1962–1972 U.S. Forest Service Utah State College
10 John R. McGuire 1972–1979 U.S. Forest Service University of Minnesota & Yale Forestry School
11 R. Max Peterson 1979–1987 U.S. Forest Service University of Missouri
12 F. Dale Robertson 1987–1993 U.S. Forest Service University of Arkansas
13 Jack Ward Thomas 1993–1996 U.S. Forest Service Texas A&M University, West Virginia University, University of Massachusetts
14 Michael Dombeck 1996–2001 U.S. Forest Service University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point and the University of Minnesota
15 Dale N. Bosworth 2001–2007 U.S. Forest Service University of Idaho
16 Gail Kimbell 2007–2009 U.S. Forest Service University of Vermont, Oregon State University
17 Thomas Tidwell 2009–2017 U.S. Forest Service Washington State University
18 Tony Tooke 2017–2018 U.S. Forest Service Mississippi State University
19 Vicki Christiansen 2018–2021 U.S. Forest Service University of Washington
20 Randy Moore 2021–present U.S. Forest Service Southern University

See also

  • Environmental history of the United States
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