2005 is the 100^th Anniversary of the United States Forest Service. But, why does the Forest Service exist?

In the tall tales of the 1800’s, Big Paul is a heroic figure, single-handedly logging the North Woods to provide lumber for a young, expanding nation and clearing the land for farms, cities and other industries.  The truth was not quite as funny.  Nearly all of the pine and hardwood forests, especially in the Great Lakes states, were pillaged. 

The young conservation movement was determined that this should not happen to the West.  It was in this context that America’s first professional forester, Gifford Pinchot, and President Theodore Roosevelt created the US Forest Service in 1905.   Roosevelt designated 17 million acres as National Forest by Presidential Proclamation just hours before his legal ability to do so expired. 

The concept of multiple uses of National Forest has changed over time.  Logging, mining and livestock grazing have always been allowed under varying levels of regulation.  The values of water, wildlife, outdoor recreation and wilderness have grown in importance.  The US Forest Service administers 9.4 million acres in Wyoming or about 15% of the State.  It’s the second biggest landowner.

So, happy birthday, US Forest Service and thanks for your stewardship of the nation’s resources.  I’m Gene Gade of the UW CES