Texas A&M Forest Service forester receives national Smokey Bear award

Cut: Michelle Moore, Texas A&M Forest Service Forester (left) received the Smokey Bear award from Scott Phillips, National Association of State Foresters President (right), in Washington, D.C.

Michelle Moore, Texas A&M Forest Service Forester, received a bronze Smokey Bear award last week in recognition of her efforts to create a first-of-its-kind wildfire prevention resource guide.

The Introduction to Fire Prevention virtual resource guide created by Moore is a Texas-specific guide for volunteer fire departments, members of the public and Texas A&M Forest Service personnel.

Moore also created fire prevention training kits specifically for pet rescue and adoption centers in East Texas as part of her fire prevention training resource outreach strategy. These kits contained homeowner prevention, mitigation and evacuation materials, as well as pet-specific evacuation and emergency resources.

"Michelle was instrumental in the construction and launch of this program that creates a way to share these valuable resources for those with diverse needs across the state," said Karen Stafford, Texas A&M Forest Service Program Coordinator.

The bronze Smokey Bear award is the highest honor given to an individual for their prevention service that has a significant impact within a state over at least a two-year period.

Moore aids in sustainable forest management and silviculture in east Texas. Outside of her normal duties as a forester, Moore became particularly interested in fire prevention. During the two wildfire seasons of 2021/2022 and 2023, Moore supported fire prevention activities and presentations across 25 East Texas counties, which revealed to her that these prevention resources needed a larger, more accessible platform.

In her search to create a fire education guide, Moore prioritized the idea of constructing an educational resource program for fire prevention for internal and partnership use. As the training's impact grew, so did the perceived need for more community members and first responders to have access.

"Michelle took great initiative to create these accessible resources following her introduction to fire prevention, and we are so grateful she did," said Stafford. "Her unique perspective on wildfires and fire prevention was crucial to the success of this program's reach."

Texas A&M Forest Service has over 500 fire and non-fire response personnel. The Introduction to Fire Prevention resource guide is used to introduce all new employees, including non-fire response personnel, in the agency to become acquainted with fire prevention and operations.

Smokey Bear awards, sponsored by USDA Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters and the Ad Council, began in the mid-1950s, and the bronze award was established in 1962.