Smokey Bear Awards Nomination Deadline Nears

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WASHINGTON, D.C.

Feb. 7, 2011

The nomination process for the prestigious 2011 Smokey Bear Awards closes Feb. 17, 2011.

In the world of wildfire prevention there is no greater honor than to receive the national Smokey Bear Award. This special award is reserved for people or organizations that provide sustained, outstanding service—with significant program impact—in the wildfire prevention arena.

Sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), and the Advertising Council, the national Smokey Bear Awards recognize outstanding service in the prevention of human caused wildfires and to increase public recognition and awareness of the need for continuing wildfire prevention efforts.

The Smokey Bear Awards are the highest national honor for outstanding work and significant program impact in wildfire prevention.  This merit award has been bestowed on groups and individuals annually since 1957.

The national Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention Committee determines award winners.  Voting members include three state foresters, one from each NASF region, one Forest Service representative, and one member from the Advertising Council. 

Individuals, agencies, or organizations that have made outstanding contributions with significant program impact in prevention of human caused wildfires are eligible for nomination.  Wildfire prevention service includes, but is not limited to: efforts in education, law enforcement, and engineering; journalism and media coverage; advertising campaigns; informational programs; training; risk assessment; prescribed fire used for prevention; committee leadership; volunteerism; fund raising; providing support services for fire prevention (e.g., legal services); and individual presentations. The wildfire prevention service(s) or project(s) must be completed and cover at least a two-year period. Activities relating to fire prevention for structures do not qualify for the Smokey Bear Awards.

There are three possible award levels, based on the geographical scope of the nominated work: 

Golden Smokey Bear Award – This is the highest honor given to organizations or individuals for outstanding wildfire prevention service over at least a two-year period that is national in scope.  

Silver Smokey Bear Award – This is the highest honor given to organizations or individuals for outstanding wildfire prevention service over at least a two-year period that is regional (multi-state) in scope.

Bronze Smokey Bear Awards – This is the highest honor given to organizations or individuals for outstanding wildfire prevention service over at least a two-year period that has impact within a state. 

Additionally, Smokey Bear Certificates and Plaques may be awarded to a few select nominees to recognize their potential to receive future Smokey Bear Awards or for State Forestry agencies to independently recognize outstanding fire prevention efforts.

Nominations for all Smokey Bear awards can be made by anyone having knowledge of the outstanding wildfire prevention efforts of the nominee, and must be recommended by the appropriate U.S. Forest Service Forest Supervisor (or higher) or the appropriate State Forester. Department of Interior nominations should include appropriate line officer recommendation. Detailed information is provided in the official Call for Nominations, which also is available online. 


Author:US Forest Service News Release