20 Miscellaneous Circular 47, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture 

 WHAT THE PUBLIC CAN DO TO HELP PROTECT THE FORESTS 



COOPERATION OF PRIVATE OWNERS 



Through well-considered regulation national forests are being 

 brought to a high degree of usefulness in timber production, water- 

 shed protection, and utilization of grazing and other resources. 

 There are, however, great areas of mountain lands in the inter- 

 mountain region similar to the national-forest lands but not in- 

 cluded within their boundaries. It remains, therefore, for the 

 owners of such forest and mountain grazing lands as lie outside 

 the national forests to assist in preserving and increasing the 

 wealth of the region by applying to their lands such principles of 

 forestry and range management as have proven valuable in their 

 application to the national forests. Some owners are already doing 

 this. 



Arousing private owners not already alert is a desirable action in 

 which all well-wishers of the forest can take part. Public opinion 

 properly fostered will sooner' or later crystallize in the hoped-for 

 cooperation. The application of sound principles of management 

 of mountain lands would not only increase the prosperity of the 

 region and minimize the ever-present dangers that result from de- 

 vastation of mountain lands, but would also aid in the application 

 of these principles to adjoining national-forest lands and appreciably 

 simplify many administrative problems. 



FIRE PREVENTION 



Especially urgent is the obligation resting on all national-forest 

 users to exercise every precaution that will safeguard all the re- 

 sources of the forest. This means, above all, being careful with 

 fire. Such care is imperative, because the match or cigarette that 

 seems to be out and the dead-looking camp fire sometimes start 

 dangerous fires that may not be noticed until they have gained 

 considerable headway. Of the 500 forest fires a year in the inter- 

 mountain region, half are the result of human carelessness. 



DANGERS OF BRUSH FIRES 



Brush fires are not the harmless things many people consider them. 

 Not only are they likely to extend to valuable timber, but they 

 destroy watershed cover and in many instances hundreds of little 

 trees not yet visible above the brush. They also destroy the scenic 

 charm of the surroundings and form open spaces, which although 

 small in extent are sometimes sufficient with thunderstorms bursting 

 upon them to bring about disastrous floods in the small, steep can- 

 yons characteristic of this region. 



CARE OF CAMP GROUNDS 



Campers are especially urged to refrain from leaving trash or tin 

 cans or anything that tends to deface the camp grounds or diminish 

 the beauty of the surroundings. Hacking trees indiscriminately to 

 obtain bed boughs should be avoided, as should also carving initials 

 on trees and everything that renders the forest less attractive to the 



