By Libby Anderson
Rowan Public Library

Smokey Bear, the beloved bear who has taught us all how to prevent forest fires over the years, just turned 80 on Aug. 9. To celebrate, Rowan Public Library is participating in the Smokey Bear Reading Challenge during the entire month of August. Children ages 11 and younger are welcome to come by the children’s area of any RPL branch throughout the month to pick up a challenge log. To complete Smokey Bear’s Challenge, they’ll read at least three books about forests, wildfires or the environment, and take action on at least four of Smokey Bear’s activities to gain badges. Completed challenge logs can be brought back to the library to receive an official certificate and stickers.

Smokey Bear’s badge challenges will help children learn about campfire safety, trees, natural resource careers, wildfire science, nature adventures and how they can make a difference for the environment. Fun activity options include writing a poem about campfires, finding leaves from outside and drawing them, learning how to say “tree” in different languages and talking to a friend about a book on the environment, among many others.

Smokey Bear’s message, “Only you can prevent wildfires,” is just as important today as it has always been. According to the U.S. Forest Service, about 7,500 wildfires burn 1.5 million acres of National Forests and Grasslands each year, and more than half of these fires are caused by humans. Go to smokeybear.com for tips on how you can help prevent wildfires, and stop by your local RPL branch to find books and information on this important topic. Also, remember to pick up your Smokey Bear Reading Challenge Log while you’re here. For more information, go to www.RowanPublicLibrary.org or call 980-432-8670.

Libby Anderson is a reference librarian at Rowan Public Library.