Ocala National Forest Centennial Kudos
USFS staff honored at the Centennial ceremony
Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending a special celebration for US Forest Service employees and volunteers to commemorate the upcoming Centennial of the Ocala National Forest. On November 24, 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt designated 160,000 acres of the Big Scrub as the Ocala National Forest, forming the first National Forest east of the Mississippi.
Now I know my friends in the Ocala get a bad rap sometimes, with being spread so thin over such a big place. But I’m pretty proud of them. Yesterday they received an award from the Marion County Audubon Society for their work. Today they’re being honored by the USDA Forest Service Southern Region as the top Ranger District of the Year. And they’re also receiving an award from the USDA office in Washington D.C. for their innovations in creating the Centennial Trail to corral illicit OHV use and direct it towards a fun family experience. I’m not a fan of OHVs, but this was a huge step towards getting the “wild west” out there in the Forest under control.
Yesterday’s ceremony was a quiet, family-like affair for partners and volunteers, with the ceremonial planting of a magnolia tree and photo ops all around. But on Saturday December 13, there will be a big public bash to celebrate the Centennial, and I’ll be a part of it. I’ll share more about it soon… meanwhile, save the date!
November 20th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
[...] by Rob Smith, Jr. on Nov.18, 2008, under Florida History!, Florida Outdoors!, What’s New? This morning, Sandra and I attended a special event just for US Forest Service employees, volunteers, and partners. It was to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Ocala National Forest, which happened on November 24, 1908. 160,000 acres in north Central Florida were designated by President Teddy Roosevelt as public park space which is still being enjoyed bt Americans today. For more click here for Sandra’s entry at Florida Hikes! [...]