Punky’s work with the Forest Service began in 1959 on the Los Padres National Forest working on an engine and as a patrolman on the Ojai and San Marcos Ranger Districts. Later he transferred to the Sequoia National Forest Hume Lake Ranger District as the Fire Management Officer and then to the Sierra National Forest as the Assistant Forest Fire Management Officer. His career encompassed a wide range of local and national wildland fire management activities. He served in most technical fire positions from firefighter to top forest fire management. Punky McClellan was a national and international leader in wildfire prevention.

Punky worked on many national level fire management assignments including the Safety First Program in the early 1970’s which led to such things as minimum engine staffing, training and qualifications standards, firefighter safety equipment such as nomex and fire shelters. The project ultimately led to Congress assigning the Forest Service with the development of the Incident Command System (ICS) system for all California fire agencies and eventually to national implementation.

Some of the characters that Punky helped develop for the PREVENTOR program.

While on the Sierra Punky was funded and assigned a national office position to manage the National Fire Prevention Program. He developed and distributed program materials for the Wildfire Strikes Home Initiative, developed training and guidelines for Fire Prevention Planning, and probably most memorable was the development of high visibility fire prevention education programs with professional sports teams and celebrities. Radio and television public service announcements using the celebrities and athletes were produced and thousands of fire prevention education materials were developed and distributed. In 1987 he organized a National Smokey Bear Day Event at every Major League baseball stadium.

After retiring from the Forest Service in 1990 after 32 years, Punky continued with his passion for fire management through his company THE FIREHOUSE based in Clovis, California. Working with NFPA and local jurisdictions he developed an urban fire safety program and set of hero characters called the PREVENTOR Program and a wildland set of characters for the Fire Education Team Program managed by the Department of Interior. He managed the training and mobilization of National Interagency Fire Prevention Teams. Punky also authored several books including “REMEMBER ONLY YOU” – A History of Outdoor Forest Fire Prevention Advertising and “THE FRONT LINE” – A Look at Some of America’s Historic Firehouses. He was active internationally with work in Russia, Mexico and Canada.

Here Punky is pictured with his friend and collaborator Rudy Wendelin, the artist who helped conceive and draw Smokey Bear for 40 years for the United States Forest Service.

Punky was honored as the recipient of the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Smokey Bear Awards (the Fire Prevention Oscars) for outstanding national public service in wildfire prevention and the Secretary of Agriculture’s Superior Service Award. He was truly an icon with the USFS, a man with utmost integrity and dedication to his work. Punky’s sense of humor and giving nature are truly irreplaceable.

Punky McClellan’s role in Three Forests Interpretive Association began in January of 2004. His talents in organization, management of meetings and knowledge of the needs of our government partner the US Forest Service were essential to the successes of the organization. His abilities to move projects along and get things done were legendary. Retired Director of Fire for the Forest Service in California, Kenton Clark, once commented “Do not ever give Punky McClellan a job to do that you don’t want to get done.”

Plans are underway to build a memorial statue and scholarship fund on Punky’s behalf. A Gofund Me account has been established in Punky’s honor, for further information on Punky’s legacy, write Riley McClellan at 2660 Alamos Avenue Clovis, CA 93611.

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Learn About Forests and Nature

So much of who we are is the result of our early education. Our National Forests are a source of wonder and an inspiration for young imaginations. While experiencing the forest in person is wonderful way to learn about our public lands (and connect with our kids), there are also many great online tools for students to study our forests from home or in the classroom. As young students learn more about the complexity and beauty of the natural world, both in their National Forests and in their own back yards, they are better prepared to act as stewards of the earth for the rest of their lives. Sharing an appreciation of nature now with our children can have an impact on our shared future. Combine one of these exercises with a slow walk in a nearby park or other natural environment for maximum impact! Something everyone can benefit from. Here are some links to web pages that include online activities, games, videos and other ways to learn about the natural world and our National Forests.

Links to Online Forest & Nature Learning Activities

STANISLAUS NATIONAL FOREST

It’s never to early to start planning your next visit to the forest. Although in-person visitor programs had to be cancelled due to COVID-19, the Stanislaus National Forest has created a SELF-GUIDED VISITOR ACTIVITY PAGE with links to learning activities, self-guided tours, visitor resources, and link to mobile apps. The STANISLAUS LEARNING CENTER PAGE has links to information about a wide variety of topics including outdoor safety and activities like mountain biking, hunting, camping, and responsible recreation.

SMOKEY FOR KIDS

Wildland fire is on everyone’s mind, including the very young. The SMOKEY FOR KIDS web page helps elementary and middle school students start to understand and learn to prevent wildfires. The site includes content for students, teachers, and at-home educators. and includes games and activities emphasizing wildfire prevention.

PROJECT WILD

Project WILD’s mission is to provide wildlife-based conservation and environmental education that fosters responsible actions toward wildlife and related natural resources. All their curriculum materials are backed by sound educational practices and theory, and represent the work of many professionals within the fields of education and natural resource management from across the country.
PROJECT WILD RESOURCES PAGE offers links to videos and articles on a wide variety of subjects for elementary and high school students as well as links to information about careers in related fields.
GROWING UP WILD includes content for wildlife education for Pre-Kindergarten students.
AQUATIC WILD has content that is focused on the aquatic environment.
FLYING WILD has standards based environmental education for middle-schoolers built around the study of birds.

USFS NATUREWATCH WEBSITE

NATUREWATCH is a partnership program of the U.S. Forest Service that features a variety of online resources, encouraging safe and sound outdoor ethics and contributes to local economies. You can use the site to find nature viewing opportunies based on your location or animals of interest. The NATUREWATCH FACEBOOK PAGE will keep you updated on the latest on children’s nature-based learning.

LEAVE NO TRACE

Leave No Trace works to help people care for the outdoors. Their website is a great place to learn about simple and effective ways to help visitors preserve and protect the forests we all share. Their 7 PRINCIPLES OF LEAVE NO TRACE is a great place to learn about minimizing our impact when visiting our public lands. LEAVE NO TRACE FOR EVERY KID is a program/website that helps young people learn how responsible actions help to protect the outdoors. Take some time to explore their activities page and video library.

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