USDA
Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Welcome to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is one of the oldest National Forests in the United States. Included as part of the Mount Rainier Forest Reserve in 1897, this area was set aside as the Columbia National Forest in 1908. It was renamed the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in 1949. The Forest, located in southwest Washington State, now contains 1,312,000 acres and includes the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established by Congress in 1982.
Gifford Pinchot, an active conservationist, was appointed first Chief of the Forest Service. He played a key role in developing the early principles of environmental awareness. Pinchot's philosophy is made clear in his farsighted statement that the forests should be managed for "... the greatest good of the greatest number in the long run." In honor of his leadership, the Columbia National Forest was renamed for Gifford Pinchot in 1949.
Help us pass on the history of our National Forests to our children and grandchildren, and answer Gifford Pinchot's call to manage our forests for "the long run."
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Revised: April 24, 2002.
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