Drawing of New Woodsy:
"Lend a hand — care for the land!"

Costume of New Woodsy

Costume of Original Woodsy:
"Give a hoot — don't pollute!"

Harold Bell of Western Publishing (and producer of Smokey Bear public service announcements) created the mascot for the first Earth Day in 1970 as part of a forest service campaign to raise awareness of protecting the environment.^[2] Woodsy's slogan was later introduced on September 15, 1971 by Secretary of Agriculture Clifford Hardin. The first Woodsy Owl public service spot was created by US Forest ranger Chuck WIlliams, who was the Forest Service's technical consultant for the Lassie TV show which featured a Forest Service ranger and his family.^[3] Williams, along with Bell and Glenn Kovar, also of the US Forest Service, brainstormed the idea for the Woodsy motif.^[4] In 1974, the U.S. Congress passed the Woodsy Owl Act (Public Law 93-318) to protect the image of the character.

There are also Woodsy Owl Day Camps such as the one in South Pasadena, CA.

Several songs have been used in conjunction with the Woodsy Owl environmental campaign, including "The Ballad of Woodsy Owl" and "Help Woodsy Spread the Word".

Several other environmentalism, conservation or outdoor themed comics have appeared over the years including Mark Trail and Smokey Bear. Woodsy Owl appeared as a comic by Gold Key Comics from 1973 to 1976^[5].

Woodsy Owl appeared in the Family Guy episode E. Peterbus Unum after Peter knocks a trash can over.

See also

• Johnny Horizon
• Mark Trail
• Smokey Bear

References

External links

• U.S. Forest Service National Symbols Program
• "Remembering Harold Bell, Creator of Woodsy Owl ". Peeling Back the Bark, the Forest History Society.

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