"I give my pledge as an American to save and faithfully to defend from waste the natural resources of my country - its soil and minerals, its forests, waters and wildlife." Conservation Pledge
A pledge is like a promise. The Conservation Pledge is a promise to keep the environment clean. It is a promise to keep the environment safe. Smokey Bear helps people remember the pledge. He reminds people to keep forests safe from wildfires.
Forest fires have always been a problem. Many years ago posters were used to let people know. During World War II, posters were made. They told people that lumber was needed. It was needed to help the soldiers. Lumber comes from trees. The posters wanted people to be careful. The trees needed to be saved.