by Andrew Soto, BTN Communications Intern
In 1924, the United States Forest Service (USFS) established the first wilderness area anywhere in the world, the Gila Wilderness on the Gila National Forest near Silver City, New Mexico. This was 20 years before they introduced one of the most iconic public service announcement campaigns in American history. It was 1944 when the United States Forest Service enlisted the help of “Smokey Bear” in their efforts to preserve America’s wilderness heritage. Since that time, generations of Americans have grown up with the understanding that it was up to them to prevent forest fires and preserve America’s wilderness.
The USFS currently partners with a wide variety of nonprofits geared toward the preservation of America’s wildlands. Back to Natives Restoration (BTN) in Santa Ana, California has partnered with the USFS for several years offering training programs and plant workshops aimed at restoring native habitat in the Orange County and surrounding areas.
On August 20th, BTN will honor its volunteers of the year as well as distribute Dirt Shirts and Green Shirts to graduates of the United States Forest Service & Back to Natives Restoration joint training programs.
“Our volunteers of the year and graduates of our joint training programs with the USFS, have selflessly dedicated their time to restoring habitat in Orange County,” said Back to Natives Executive Director Reginald Durant. “Their passion for the environment has fueled their passion for service. They play an integral role in our efforts to restore native habitat. Back to Natives could not exist without volunteers like these!”
For more information about the event location and times Please visit https://backtonatives.org/volunteer/