David Wallace Introduction

Hello,

I am a Social Studies teacher-in-training at the University of Montana. Matt and I have had several classes together this school year, and we have spent a good amount of time talking about History. Like any Social Studies teacher worth his salt, Matt has a great interest in the airplanes of WWII. I have learned a lot from him, and know that he will make a great teacher soon. So a little bit about me: Before I decided to come back to UM to become a teacher, I worked 4 years as a Math, English, and Biology tutor first at Sheridan College in Wyoming and then at UM. I have also spent 4 years teaching job skills to adults who are developmentally disabled or have suffered traumatic brain injuries, one year in Wyoming and three years in Missoula at Opportunity Resources. I have been married to my wife Brandy for almost 4 years now, and she is in the teacher education program as well, to teach Science. In my free time I like to go hiking and camping with Brandy, read fiction and non-fiction books(I like James Michener, John Keegan, Terry Pratchett, and CS Lewis to name a few) , play board games, and help friends work on their cars and bikes whenever the opportunity arises. I'm excited to see what comes out of this blog work group, and hope that I'll be able to contribute something.

Take Care,
David Wallace

Dave Stack Introduction

I am Executive Director of the National Museum Museum of Forest Service History. I am anxious to see this blog develop some great ideas that we can use to implement a Conservation History Education Program. I have always been interested in history.

I am forester by education and experience. Other than three years in the Navy, I spent my working career with the Forest Service starting as a summer seasonal in California and then Oregon. After the Navy, I worked three different assignments in Wisconsin before relocating to Duluth MN. My next assignment was as a District Ranger in West Virginia. I moved to Missoula in 1985 to be the Missoula District Ranger on the Lolo National Forest. I retired in 1999.

Matt Bacon Introduction

Well now that I've invited all of you to become contributors to this effort, I guess that I should introduce myself.

I grew up in the Forest Service, hearing my Grandfather's stories, my father's, and eventually my older brother's fresh ones. All this exposure created in me a real love and respect for the agency. Now as a senior in the secondary education program at the University of Montana here in Missoula, I've gotten to thinking about ways that the sorties of the Forest Service can be connected to the bigger stories of American History and Government. Watching my father working with museum effort I decided here was an opportunity to do just that, and in the process develop some valuable tools and resources that I, and other teachers around the country can use to improve their lesson. When my father asked me if I wanted to work with this group to do that I was intrigued, then he said the dreaded "conference call" and I panicked (how I hate those) I suggested this resource as possibly a better way to approach this effort, so here we are. I look forward to working with you folks.

I've included in this post an idea that I had while working on a project for a class. Below you will find a recording that I made as something of a pilot for a podcast that could become something that we could explore as a tool for teachers to spark discussions in their classes. It's an excerpt from Gifford Pinchot's book "The Fight For Conservation" and it clearly illustrates that we are still struggling with some of the same questions today that we were in 1910.

Dick Bacon Introduction

I retired from the Forest Service in Missoula, Montana 1n 1997. My wife and I sold our home and moved aboard our sailboat. We embarked on an adventure that would take us most of the way around the world in nine years. During our travels we spent a lot of time interacting with people in many parts of the globe. Their spiritual and cultural values were of particular interest as were museums that helped us put things in perspective. Upon returning home I became a board member of the National Museum of Forest Service History.

Our family is comprised of three generations of Forest Service employees. I remember the early days of growing up in places like the Coppervale Ranger District on the Lassen National Forest. My oldest son is District Ranger on the North Fork Ranger District on the Salmon National Forest ,where I served in the same position about twenty five years ago. My life in the Forest Service created an opportunity for me to be a resident of eleven states. Life in the Forest Service often leads to a love affair with the outfit and it's mission. My younger son, Matt Bacon is helping us with this project because of his background in Forest Service history.

I was very involved with conservation education in the early years of my career. I do not have current experience in conservation education, but have spent many hours on the internet attempting to catch up on todays programs. I have a keen interest in education programs and look forward to helping with this project.