WISCONSIN—The largest Hmong community per capita in the United States is located just one hour from the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. To raise awareness of the USDA Forest Service and its programs and services, the forest’s public fire safety team and Smokey Bear recently participated in the Hmong Festival in central Wisconsin.    

“It is crucial for the USDA Forest Service to reach out to the Hmong community and other underserved groups to let them know what the USDA Forest Service is and its services and programs,” said Pao Vue, an environmental coordinator with the Forest Service. “The Hmong community, as an ethnic group, has traditionally engaged in activities such as hunting, camping and collecting non-timber forest products to meet their livelihood needs. These activities have been so engrained into the Hmong community that many in the U.S. now partake in these activities for fun. However, many are unfamiliar with what the USDA Forest Service and its programs and services.”

Pao is familiar with the forest through his many years as National Environmental Protection Agency coordinator on the Eagle River-Florence ranger district. During the festival, he shared information about the forest and the broader Forest Service with hundreds of families. Pao helped children color birthday cards for Smokey Bear that are now on display at the Marathon County Public Library.  

Festival organizers were instrumental in arranging for Smokey Bear to be present at the event and assisted with translation of fliers.

The festival is organized and managed each year in July by the Hmong American Center, Inc., a community that engages in economic, social and multi-cultural development, serving as an educational and resource center for its members and surrounding communities through leadership, cooperation and collaboration.