FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 25, 2019 Texas A&M Forest Service employee earns prestigious Smokey
Bear Award
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — A Texas A&M Forest
Service employee was honored with the prestigious Bronze Smokey Bear Award
during today’s National Association of State Foresters Annual Meeting in
Asheville, North Carolina. Wildland Urban Interface Specialist Samuel
McCalip, a self-taught videographer, has harnessed the power of storytelling
to bring wildfire prevention awareness across the state. “As a forester, wildland firefighter, public
information officer and prevention team member, Samuel has combined his love
of forestry and ecosystems, desire to protect natural resources and skill for
educating the public,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Program Leader Karen
Stafford. “In a matter of months, McCalip taught himself how to produce
high-quality videos to help reach the citizens of Texas.” Texas A&M Forest Service first utilized
McCalip’s videos to increase awareness of wildfire prevention practices when
wildfires burned in the Panhandle in 2017. The following year, McCalip’s video “Dragging
Chains,” a PSA meant to educate the public about the risk of causing sparks
when dragging chains from a vehicle, was the foundation of the “Do Your Part,
Don’t Let a Wildfire Start” series. “Samuel has taken his skills behind the camera
and his passion for prevention and mitigation and combined them into a very
unique and effective tool for spreading Smokey’s prevention message,” Texas
State Forester Tom Boggus said. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving.” Since then, McCalip has produced
several informational, educational and promotional videos for the agency
and hosted multiple video production training sessions for other Texas
A&M Forest Service departments to build the agency’s capacity. “Samuel’s creativity and innovation has sparked
those around him to come up with ideas to improve effectiveness and
efficiency in delivering core agency messaging,” Stafford said. “He’s turned
his passion for wildfire prevention into art.” Across the nation, only 10 recipients are
presented the Bronze Smokey Bear Award each year. Visit https://bit.ly/2mGIqpE
to watch McCalip’s latest video about Texas A&M Forest Service’s Texas
Ranch Wildfire Program. Visit https://bit.ly/2ndyPHv
to watch McCalip’s “Dragging Chains” video. ### About the Smokey Bear Awards Through the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention (CFFP)
Program, the USDA Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters
(NASF), and the Advertising Council sponsor the national Smokey Bear Awards
to recognize outstanding service in the prevention of human caused wildfires
and to increase public recognition and awareness of the need for continuing
wildfire prevention efforts. The Smokey Bear Awards are the highest national
honor one can receive for outstanding work and significant program impact in
wildfire prevention. This merit award has been bestowed on well-deserving
groups and individuals annually since 1957. Contacts: Karen Stafford, Texas A&M Forest Service, Program Leader,
936-639-8132, kstafford@tfs.tamu.edu
Texas A&M Forest Service Communications
Office, 979-458-6600, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu |