{"id":20985,"date":"2017-02-23T13:49:00","date_gmt":"2017-02-23T18:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/?p=20985"},"modified":"2026-10-16T13:53:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T17:53:14","slug":"hoot-hoot-hooray-5-fun-facts-you-might-not-know-about-woodsy-owl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advertisingweek.com\/aw360\/news\/hoot-hoot-hooray-5-fun-facts-you-might-not-know-about-woodsy-owl\/20985\/","title":{"rendered":"Hoot, Hoot, Hooray! 5 Fun Facts You Might Not Know About Woodsy Owl"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Last September, we were thrilled to announce Cleatus the FOX Sports Robot and Woodsy Owl as the winners of the 13th<\/sup> Annual Madison Avenue Walk of Fame<\/a>. While Cleatus is a regular fixture during sporting events on TV, Woodsy tends to spend his time in forests alongside fellow conservation icon (and friend), Smokey Bear<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1971, Woodsy Owl<\/a> has been encouraging one and all to \u201cLend a hand \u2014 care for the land!\u201d and be the environmental change they wish to see in the world. From the story behind his name to his makeover in 1993, here\u2019s what you might not know about the wise owl representing the United States Forest Service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Woodsy was \u201cborn\u201d on September 15, 1971.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of an expansion of environmental consciousness with the public, Woodsy was created to be a leader in the fight against pollution and littering in America. As he flew throughout the country, Woodsy worked with adults and kids alike to teach them how to fight pollution in a positive way by using the 4R\u2019s: reduce, reuse, recycle, and rot<\/a> to keep the world we live in a clean one. He also encouraged people of all ages to build a relationship with nature and to naturally enjoy and explore the beauty of the land while giving back to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Woodsy the\u2026 Raccoon?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forest Service employees and consultants on the TV show Lassie<\/em> Glen Kovar and Chuck Williams, alongside merchandising agent Harold Bell, are credited for creating Woodsy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initially, there was discussion of making Woodsy a trout, elk, or raccoon. The latter in particular was up for consideration because raccoons wash their food before they eat. Instead, the trio decided to go with an owl, due to the wise nature of the bird and how they could be found at the edges of urban areas, which made the owl appealing to urban and rural populations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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