The U.S. Forest Service is spreading holiday cheer to fourth graders across the country! As part of the national Every Kid in a Park initiative, the U.S. Forest Service is excited to announce that all fourth graders are eligible for a free holiday tree permit from the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest beginning Monday, November 14th through January 6th.

Every Kid in a Park is a national effort to encourage children to visit national parks, forests, and public lands. In November and December, the Forest Service is promoting winter recreation on national forests, holiday tree permits, and the annual Capitol Christmas Tree campaign.

In order for students to receive a free tree permit, they must present a valid paper voucher printed from the Every Kid in a Park website.

• Step 1: Visit www.everykidinapark.gov and follow instructions to obtain the paper voucher.
• Step 2: Print out the paper voucher.
• Step 3: Bring the paper voucher to a Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest officeto claim the free permit.

If you aren’t a fourth grader, you can now purchase permits to cut Christmas trees on the national forest.

Cutting areas are located within national forest lands in the eastern portions of Pierce, King, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties. Maps and information about cutting areas are provided where permits are sold at ranger stations and the public service centers.

Permits are also sold at REI’s Alderwood Mall store daily and the Outdoor Recreation Information Center located inside the downtown Seattle REI store. Permits cost $10 each, one tree per permit, with a tree height limit of 12 feet. Trees taller than 12 feet require a tall tree permit for $20. REI locations sell only the $10/12-feet and under Christmas tree permits. The permits are for 2016 season and are nonrefundable.

Additional information available here: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbs/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD524333