2026 Smokey Bear Award Nomination Form

2026 Smokey Bear Awards Nomination Form

Deadline for nominations: December 31, 2025
Before submitting your nomination, please review the 2026 awards guidelines and criteria and take a look through our FAQ one-pager on crafting a successful nomination package. You can also review this sample nomination for more details on how to best tell your prevention story. Still have questions? Click here to find the contact information for the wildfire prevention lead in your state or region.

You may come back to this form to edit your nomination by clicking "save" at the bottom of any page. However, once you hit "submit," you will not be able to edit your nomination. You may PREVIEW this form's questions via this PDF of the nomination form. Please note: This fillable PDF CANNOT be submitted. Only nominations that are submitted via this online form will be reviewed by the selection committee.

Questions? Technical issues? Need help? Please email NASF Communications Manager Emilie Austin at eaustin@stateforesters.org for all awards-related questions.
PROPOSED NOMINATION AWARD LEVEL:*

GoldSilverBronze
Nominee Information
Nominee's Name As It Should Appear On Award (If nominee is an organization or team, please enter the organization/team's name in the "First Name" box):

First NameLast Name
Nominee Job Title (If nominee is an organization or team, please enter "NA"):*
Nominee's Affiliation (Agency/Organization):*
Please be specific about the individual's affiliation.
Nominee Email Address:*
Nominee Phone Number:*

Area CodePhone Number
Nominee Address:*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Nominee's Supervisor:

First NameLast Name
Nominee's Supervisor Email Address:
example@example.com
If applicable, provide the name and email address of the USDA Forest Service Regional Forester for the region where the nominee works or volunteers:

First and Last NameEmail Address
If applicable, provide the name and email address of the agency/organizational head where the nominee works or volunteers:

First and Last NameEmail Address
Is the nominee aware of this nomination?*

YesNo
Has the nominee previously received a Smokey Bear Award?*

YesNoDo Not Know
If the nominee has received a Smokey Bear Award in the past, please provide the level of award and the year it was awarded, as well as short description of the project(s) honored:
The awards committee is interested in a brief description about the previously award-winning project(s).

Nominator Information
Nominator Name*
Job Title*
Affiliation (Agency/Organization)*
Nominator Email Address*
Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Minimum Requirements for Consideration

Please view the 2026 guidelines and criteria at www.stateforesters.org/smokey-bear.
Did the nominee complete his/her work over the course of two years or longer?*

YesNo
If the work took place over two years or longer, please provide the start and end dates of the work accomplished*
Please note: To be eligible for a Smokey Bear Award, the effort must cover at least a two-year-long period of time.
Describe the geographic scope of this wildfire prevention effort (within a state, multiple states, etc.):*
Please note: Gold Awards require national-level impact. Silver Awards require regional or multi-state impact.
Describe how the wildfire prevention effort could be accomplished beyond its original geographic area or audience:*
Describe how this wildfire prevention activity could be applied beyond its geographic area or audience.
Project Narrative

In this section, please provide a detailed and specific description of the outstanding wildfire prevention service or project managed by the nominee. In this narrative, be sure to address all eligibility requirements and awards criteria. There is an opportunity to attach files later on.
Please provide a 100- to 500-word summary of the nominee's work:*
If possible, include quantitative data such as how wildfire occurrence declined while drought indexes went up or qualitative data or outcomes such as participation in local meetings attendance at wildfire prevention activities/events increased.
Describe the service/project, tools or methods used, short-term and long-term outcomes, what objectives were met or exceeded, and, in general terms, how many people it reached:*
If possible, include quantitative data such as how wildfire occurrence declined while drought indexes went up or qualitative data or outcomes such as participation in local meetings attendance at wildfire prevention activities/events increased.
How did the nominee's work go above and beyond to prevent human-caused, unplanned wildfires?*
If wildfire prevention is a part of the nominee’s job description, explain how the nominee distinguished themselves above and beyond normal job responsibilities or expected prevention activities.
Provide examples of how this project was creative and innovative:*
If possible, include quantitative data or outcomes.
Describe how the project/service targets national audiences, themes, messages, and goals:*
If possible, include quantitative data or outcomes.
Describe how the project or activity engaged groups, organizations, or agencies, and whether these participants were new to this activity:*
If possible, include quantitative data or outcomes.
Describe how the project or work was funded through volunteer time, existing programmatic funds, and/or any external sources:*
If possible, include quantitative data or outcomes.
Additional Details
If not addressed in prior answers, describe the scope of the nominee’s body of work in wildfire prevention:
Include information here that may not be relevant to the nominated work, but is relevant to the nominee's overall body of work.
Describe the publicity plan that would be deployed in the event this nominee is selected for a Smokey Bear Award:*
Include a publicity plan for recognition of nominee such as newsletter articles or blog posts, press releases to local media, social media posts and more.
Would the nominee have financial support to attend a presentation ceremony outside of their state of residence?:*
Describe any local, regional, or national recognition the project or work has received to date, including awards and media coverage:
If possible, include hyperlinks to earned media and other forms of recognition.

Supporting Documentation

Nominators can attach up to five (5) attachments that make up no more than ten (10) pages total. Please note that Gold and Silver Award nominations MUST be accompanied by letters of support.
Attachments

Select File(s)
Nominators may attach up to five (5) files that make up no more than ten (10) pages total. Please note: State forestry agency employees nominated for a Smokey Bear Award should be endorsed (either in a formal letter or by email) by their state forester. Cancelof
Briefly provide a summary of all attached supporting documentation, if applicable:
Silver and Gold nominations must have letters of support representing the area for which the project is nominated (e.g., from more than one state for Silver). Examples: letters of support; photographs of the project; media coverage.
By submitting this nomination, you agree to allow the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention Campaign to publicize this great work on a national level:*

I agree
Should be Empty:

2026 Smokey Bear Awards Nomination Form

Nominee Information

Nominator Information

Minimum Requirements for Consideration

Project Narrative

Additional Details

Supporting Documentation