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

Costume of "Classic" Woodsy.

Woodsy Owl is an owl icon for the United States Forest Service^[1] most famous for the motto "Give a hoot — don't pollute!". His current motto is "Lend a hand — care for the land!". Woodsy's target audience are children five to eight years old, and he was designed to be seen as a mentor to children, providing them with information and advice to help them appreciate nature.^[2] In 1997, Woodsy Owl's design was given a huge overhaul.^[3] Harold Bell of Western Publishing (and producer of Smokey Bear public service announcements) used the mascot for the first Earth Day in 1970 as part of a forest service campaign to raise awareness of protecting the environment.^[4] 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.^[5] Williams, along with Bell and Glenn Kovar, also of the US Forest Service, brainstormed the idea for the Woodsy motif name.^[6] In 1974, the U.S. Congress passed the Woodsy Owl Act (Public Law 93-318) to protect the image of the character.

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."

For his appearances in commercials that aired in the 1970s and 1980s, Woodsy was voiced by several different actors, including Sterling Holloway, Barry Gordon, Dave Kimber and Frank Welker.

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.^[7]

Woodsy Owl was parodied in the South Park episode "Insheeption".

See also[link]

• Johnny Horizon
• Mark Trail
• Smokey Bear
• Insheeption - As mentioned above, Woodsy is spoofed in this episode of the fourteenth season of South Park.

References[link]

External links[link]

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