There are few things we love more here at Rise and Tide than the earth, environment, playing outside and our families. Betty White, however, is on a special level of adoration. Her status as our hero only elevated when we found, traipsing through the archives of the U.S. Forest Service, this photo, of her appointment as an honorary forest ranger in 2010. She’s been a long-time advocacy for animals and the environment, so it’s no surprise to learn here that she wanted to be a forest ranger all of her life.

Prepare to melt:

White, after hugging Smokey Bear and receiving a forest ranger hat and badge, stressed the importance of protecting nature.

“Wilderness is getting harder and harder to find these days on our beautiful planet and we’re abusing our planet to the point of almost no return,” she said. “In my heart I’ve been a forest ranger all my life, but now I’m official.”

 White said one of her earliest memories is riding in the saddle with her father through California’s High Sierra, where she fostered a deep love of nature.

 I cannot thank you enough. As excited as I am today, as grateful as I am – I know two people who would be over the moon – my mom and dad,” White said.