Gardener State: It's 'Only You Can Create Forest Fires' Smokey Bear's 75th birthday
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service will fete the nation’s most famous bear on Saturday, Aug. 10, with a daylong celebration to teach children and remind the public of the many ways they can help prevent wildfires.
This year marks the 75th birthday of Smokey Bear, whose motto “Only YOU Can Prevent Wildfires,” resonates across the country. The Forest Fire Service has a day of family-oriented celebratory activities planned, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine at Liberty State Park in Jersey City. A parking fee of $7 per carload will be charged. Children’s activities are free.
“As our Forest Fire Service works year-round to keep our communities safe, it also is important for the public to recognize their role in helping to prevent wildfires,” Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe commented. “Celebrating Smokey Bear and his message is a great way for the public to work with us and be good stewards in protecting our environment.”
Smokey Bear will arrive by helicopter to join his celebration, which will feature marching bands, a DJ, a petting zoo, multiple bounce houses for children and various fire apparatus such as fire trucks, plows and more. His official birthday is Friday, Aug. 9.
“The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has a great day planned for the public and I encourage everyone to come out and have a fun day,” Parks and Forestry Director Olivia Glenn said.
Some indoor activities will be offered at the Central Railroad Terminal Building at the park, including a display of vintage Smokey Bear posters, Smokey Bear public service announcements dating from the 1950s, and the Forest Fire Service’s video entry for the nationwide “Smokey Bear Challenge.”
Smokey Bear and his catchphrase is the longest-running public service campaign in U.S. history. Created in 1944, Smokey Bear has educated generations of Americans about their role in preventing fires. The campaign is run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters and the Ad Council.
For more information about Smokey Bear and the “Only YOU Can Prevent Wildfires” campaign, visit www.smokeybear.com. To learn more about wildfires in New Jersey, steps to protect property and other resources, visit www.njwildfire.org.
State Board inducts new members
Gloucester County veterinarian Ernest Beier III and Hunterdon County landscape and nursery owner David DeFrange II were sworn in to their terms on the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture during the Board’s regular June meeting at The Horse Park of New Jersey. Beier and DeFrange were elected at the State Agricultural Convention to be nominated by the governor, and later confirmed by the state Senate.READ:Gardener State: How green is your school?
“We are glad to have Dr. Ernie Beier and David DeFrange join the State Board of Agriculture and they will be great additions,” New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher said. “Their vast knowledge and experience will be a great asset to the Board, which sets policy for the industry throughout the entire state.”
Beier has had his own business, Beier Veterinary Services, in Mickleton, since 2000. He does farm, house call and emergency service. He also has weekly hours and covers emergencies at Decktor Veterinary Hospital and Clinic in Woodstown. Since 1980, he has owned and operated Ratting Run Farm in Mickleton, which features livestock production and management and hay production. Beier has also served as the Gloucester County Fair veterinarian since 2002.
He did his undergraduate work at Lynchburg College in Virginia and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and master’s degree in Clinical Pharmacology from The College of Veterinary Medicine at Oklahoma State University. Beier is a member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Association of Equine Practitioners, the New Jersey Veterinary Medicine Association and serves on the Gloucester County Board of Agriculture.
READ:Gardener State: Jersey Fresh crops a recipe for success
DeFrange owns and operates Copper Creek Landscape Management in Frenchtown. He has owned his business for more than 25 years. He does general maintenance and installation of landscape and historical restorations and consults on solar projects looking to install native plants. DeFrange is also pursuing the nurturing of plant materials to be grown on farmland or designated growing areas.
He graduated from Delaware Valley College with a degree in bioscience and ornamental horticulture environmental design. DeFrange is a member of the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association, where he has been treasurer and on the board of directors. He is a graduate of the Agricultural Leadership Development Program and is first vice-president on the Hunterdon County Board of Agriculture.
The State Board of Agriculture is comprised of eight members who serve for four years. By law, at least four of its members must represent the top commodity groups in the state. For more information, please visit www.nj.gov/agriculture/about/sba.
Nicholas Polanin is associate professor, agricultural agent II, Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension of Somerset County. Email him at polanin@njaes.rutgers.edu.