The Forest Service has a over a century's worth of history. Many things have changed from when the first Rangers showed up for work. Distances that use to take weeks to cover can now be covered in hours. Communications that took days to receive can now be done in seconds. The AMIGOS, working with the National Museum of Forest Service History, want to remind our members of some of our history by searching the files for interesting bits of the past.
The Evolving National Forest
Today in the Southwestern Region there are 11 National Forests. How did we get to these 11 current forests? Names like the Black Mesa Forest Reserve or the Zuni Forest Reserve or the Crook National Forest keep popping up. How do those old names fit in with today's forests?
Click here to open a document that will take you through all the old forest and reserve names and how they transitioned to the 11 nation forests in R3 today.
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What were the forest conditions like back in the early days?
Recently the Forest Health Staff, R3, compiled all the insect and disease report for the Southwestern Region, going back to 1918. Click here to get an assestment of the conditions that existed in 1918. |
The National Museum of Forest Service History is a non-profit, privately operated, nationally recognized museum organization located in Missoula, Montana. The museum's mission is to collect, preserve, and interpret the entire national history of the USDA Forest Service for the education and enjoyment of the general public, scholars, and historical researchers.
To get the latest status on the museum project, click here.
For more information on the museum (including a membership application) click here or check out the museum's webpage at www.nmfs-history.net.
Banner Pictures: Left--Valle Grande, Valles Caldera National Preserve, submitted by Pat Jackson. Right--Architech's drawing of the porposed National Museum of Forest Service History, Missoula, MT. Click on the banner pictures to see a larger view.
Last updated December 10, 2008
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