Us Forest Service Ranger Stations Of The West

Pioneer US Forest Service rangers and their ranger stations are classic symbols of the American West. Rangers managed the public forests and ranges with the cattlemen, sheepmen, lumbermen, miners, homesteaders, and others who used--and, in many cases, still use-- the lands to build and sustain economies and ways of life. The early rangers are no longer around. But some of the stations from which they protected the West's national forests to secure "the greatest good for the greatest number in the long run," as decreed by the first chief of the US Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot, remain to tell their stories and inspire their successors.

Stories about the life of a Forest Ranger, the habitat and animals he has worked to protect, together with no small number of self-effacing humorous anecdotes. This book of stories draws on the author's thirty years in the US Forest service, including encounters with bears, elk, moose, and that strangest of animals, humans. Laced with happy humor, the stories inform and educate while they entertain. Adventures have come along with the work and Griffin is a natural storyteller.

"This revised edition of Uncle Sam's Cabins is a step back in time to ninety historic U.S. Forest Service ranger and guard stations throughout the West--stations from which early-day forest rangers patrolled and protected America's magnificent national Forest System. All these historic stations have fascinating stories. Some remain in service--many more are recreation rental cabins."--Back cover.

The U.S. Forest Service celebrates its centennial in 2005. With a new preface by the author, this edition of Harold K. Steen’s classic history (originally published in 1976) provides a broad perspective on the Service’s administrative and policy controversies and successes. Steen updates the book with discussions of a number of recent concerns, among them the spotted owl issue; wilderness and roadless areas; new research on habitat, biodiversity, and fire prevention; below-cost timber sales; and workplace diversity in a male-oriented field.

It is the rare book that remains in print for nearly fifty years, earning wide acclaim as a classic. The Forest Ranger has been essential reading for generations of professionals and scholars in forestry, public administration, and organizational behavior who are interested in the administration of public lands and how the top managers of a large, dispersed organization with multiple objectives like the Forest Service shape the behavior of its field officers into a coherent, unified program. Published as a special reprint in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Forest Service, The Forest Ranger is as relevant and timely today as when it was first issued in 1960. In addition to the original text, this special reprint of The Forest Ranger includes two new forewords and an afterword that highlight how much we have learned from Herbert Kaufman. The first foreword, by Harold K. (Pete) Steen, former president of the Forest History Society, considers the book's impact on the forestry community and explains its continued relevance in light of changes in the culture and mission of today's Forest Service. The second, by Richard P. Nathan, codirector of the Rockefeller Institute of Government, considers the book's contribution to our understanding of administrative and organizational behavior. The new afterword by author Herbert Kaufman describes how his landmark study came into being and offers a candid assessment of how his theories about the agency's operations and its future have held up over time. In 1960, the Forest Service had a well-deserved reputation for excellence, and The Forest Ranger was a seminal analysis of the hows and whys of its success. Kaufmanalso warned, however, that an organization so unified and well adapted to its environment would have difficulties navigating social change. He was right in his concerns: the environmental, civil rights, and women's movements have all presented challenges to the character and purpose of the Forest Service, ultimately changing the organization in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. Now, as then, The Forest Ranger is a striking and prescient case study of how a complex organization operates and evolves over time.

The history of Montana's ranger stations spans most of the 20th century. From small isolated cabins to larger facilities with residences, bunkhouses, cookhouses and offices these were the Forest Service's bases of operation. As the work of the Forest Service expanded in location and complexity, ranger stations were developed to meet the needs of the workforce. Sometimes off the beaten path and sometimes an integral part of rural communities these facilities are a part of Montana's heritage. Some are long gone, some forgotten, and others are still in use. Their architecture is functional and mostly rustic. Many Forest Service retirees worked at these remote locations with out running water, electricity or regular mail service. This book will hopefully provide a bit of history about Montana's ranger stations and the people who lived and worked there.

An annotated pictorial history of the U. S. Forest Service.