Happy Birthday, Woodsy Owl!

Woodsy Owl turns 54 years old today

Woodsy Owl

USDA Forest Service

September 15, 2025

Quick, what’s today?! No, not just the middle of September or the beginning of a new week, it’s my birthday! That’s right, I, Woodsy Owl, was born 54 years ago today, and began my important work of reminding everyone to Lend a Hand, Care for the Land!

Image shows Woodsy Owl and a group of kids in a forest. — Here's a throw-back for you! This is one of my first appearances where I’m showing kids how to give a hoot, don’t pollute! *(Photo courtesy of the Forest History Society, Durham, NC)*

A new owl on the block and in the forest

I took the stage on September 15, 1971, with the mission of raising awareness of environmental protection, both on the forest and in your communities. I was perfect for this job—being an owl, I’m at home in cities, towns and forests, and we owls are also known for our wisdom, like how important it is to care for our lands and homes.

Since then, I’ve spent the last 54 years sharing with kids and adults how we all can keep the national forests and grasslands clean and enjoyable for everyone. After all, no one likes to get to a campground, trail or lake and have to clean up after the people who came before.

Image shows a Forest Service employee pointing to the back of Woodsy Owl’s backpack to a pair of children while Woodsy Owl poses. — Although my new motto is "Lend a Hand, Care for the Land," my backpack still reminds people to "Give a hoot, don't pollute!" *(USDA Forest Service photo by Cecilio Ricardo)*

Lend a Hand, Care for the Land

How we look a taking care of the land has changed through the years. Those of you who grew up with me might remember I used to say, “Give a hoot, don’t pollute!” While it’s still important to not pollute, there’s so much more to taking care of the forests and all the other natural places we love than simply not polluting. That’s why I added a new motto: “Lend a hand, care for the land!”

Image shows Woodsy Owl playing with a group of kids at a playground while Forest Service employees look on. — From the outset, I have loved mentoring kids on how to lend a hand and care for the land, like I’m doing here at the Forest Service headquarters in Washington, DC! *(USDA Forest Service photo by Cecilio Ricardo)*

Whether you’re in a forest or at home or at school, there are all kinds of things you can do to lend a hand and care for the land. For instance, have you heard of the 4Rs of litter prevention? Here they are:

Reduce: Cut down on the amount of stuff you use every day to reduce your daily garbage.
Reuse: Use the same thing more than once. Donating old clothes, games, books and other items in good condition means that others can use them and they won’t end up in the garbage.
Recycle: Recycling is a process of transforming something old into something new. You can take paper, glass and cans to a recycling center, where they can be turned into new items, such as clothing, carpets and outdoor furniture.
Rot: This one may sound gross, but it’s actually really easy and helpful. Also called composting, it’s when you take your leftover fruits and vegetables and turn them into rich new soil. Not only are you reducing litter, but you’re also creating new soil for your garden!

Image shows Woodsy Owl in a forest looking through binoculars while a Forest Service employee points and a woman looks on. — Look but don't touch! When you're out on the trail and you see cool wildlife or beautiful plants, look and take photos, but please don't disturb them. *(USDA Forest Service photo by Cecilio Ricardo)*

Another important one to think about when you’re visiting a national forest is Leave No Trace. When you’re hiking or camping, not only should you not leave trash around, try to minimize your impact overall. Don’t move rocks or cut branches off trees. Look at wildlife but don’t disturb them. Take photos or videos of those wonderful moments with family and friends, but leave no trace in nature. People should always remember to give a hoot - don't pollute—that’s the essence of Leave No Trace.

Image shows Woodsy Owl planting a small shrub with several children. — Planting a tree or other kind of plant is a great way to celebrate my or anyone else's birthday! *(USDA Forest Service photo by Tanya Flores)*

Plant a birthday tree!

I’m really glad you want to celebrate my birthday with me! Who knew 54 years could go by so quickly? One of my favorite ways to celebrate a birthday is by planting a tree. So, if you’ve got time and a good space for one, why not plant a tree to celebrate not just my birthday, but all the beautiful forests that we’ve cared for all these years and for many more!

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