Woodsy Owl is a national symbol and advertising character for the United States Forest Service with the aim of motivating children to form healthy, lasting relationships with nature. Harold Bell of Western Publishing (and the producer of the Smokey Bear public service announcements), along with Glen Kovar and Chuck Williams, originally created the mascot in 1970 as part of a United States Forest Service campaign to raise awareness of environmental protection. Woodsy Owl has been an integral part of the educational program of the US Forest Service for decades and is particularly active against littering and environmental pollution. Woodsy's original motto was “Give a hoot! Don't pollute” and has since been updated to “Lend a hand—care for the land!" Together with Smokey Bear, Woodsy Owl has become an American environmental icon who has found its way into pop culture in numerous songs, comics and television appearances. Woodsy Owl’s name, character, and mottos are protected symbols under Public Law 93-318 as property of the United States, to be managed by the secretary of Agriculture. Origin Woodsy Owl was created in 1970 as part of the second US environmental movement. During this phase of growing environmental awareness, Smokey Bear, which has existed since 1944, was increasingly relied on for environmental education. The US Forest Service was concerned that the bear, with the motto of forest fire prevention, could be misused through excessive use. Forest Service officials therefore commissioned the development of a new protagonist and message. Harold Bell, who had worked as a merchandising agent for Walt Disney, among others, created Woodsy Owl together with Chuck Williams and Glenn Kovar, two employees of the Forest Service and technical consultants for the popular television series Lassie, and its collaborator Betty Hite. The Robin Hood inspired hat Woodsy wears to this day was motivated by a movie item Williams found on the set. Before choosing the owl, a raccoon, rainbow trout, ladybug and moose had been discussed. The decisive factor was the owl's habitat, which includes not only the forest but also urban regions and should therefore also appeal to an urban audience. This is also alluded to by The Ballad of Woodsy Owl, in which it says "Woodsy Owl has got a home on the big branch of a tree / When he looks from left to right, town and forest he can see." the big branch of a tree / If he