Dressing up like Woodsy Owl wasn’t part of the job description but someone has to do it. For National Forest weekend, the field ranger crew plus some volunteers hosted a mini festival that connected people to nature in an urban setting and in the great outdoors.

Both Wildwood Picnic Site in the Angeles National Forest on July 13 and Gateway to Nature Center in Downtown Los Angeles on July 14 of National Forest Week were celebrated similarly as a way to create a connection to the Forest despite setting. It was a bridge built to nature. Everyone on the crew played their role with their own projects to make it successful. The mini festival included activities like Forestal Loteria that displayed important forest symbolism, face painting, plant press bookmarks, coloring pages, and meeting Woodsy Owl in the flesh (or should I say the feathers?) Someone on the team (and not allowed to say as to who) dressed up as Woodsy Owl and flocked through and around Placita Olvera to draw the attention of more people to the event. Photo ops, dancing in the Plaza, and nostalgic blast to the pasts for some brought connections to many and the overheating one may experience in the mascot costume was noted to be worth it all.  

It was also an informative event with educational booths that highlighted on “know before you go” principles, the wildlife in the Angeles, fire safety, native plants, and water management and toxicology through a water cycle demonstration. There was a given motive and drive instilled in the National Forest Week event visitors as anyone who visited all booths earned a prize from the final table. Some fun goodies included Woodsy Owl stickers and totes, and National Forest Foundation swag like hand sanitizers, bandanas, and mini first aid kits.

From families learning about the local forest for the first time to those who’ve visited for years, it was a great demonstration of what the forest had to offer all in one space. I am extremely proud of the crew for pulling it off and for all their hard work.