Nov 13

Nov 13 All Fourth Graders Get a Free Christmas Tree: Permits Now Available! Go to the Mountains

Tis the Season…For a Forest Service Holiday Tree!

Christmas Tree Permits Now Available on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

This year, Smokey Bear and Santa Claus are teaming up to bring some 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 now through Dec. 24.

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 Treecampaign.

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: Visitwww.everykidinapark.govand 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 office to 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 2015 season and are nonrefundable.

Cash, credit cards and checks are accepted at Forest Service stations, the Outdoor Recreation Information Center in the Seattle REI and the Alderwood Mall REI stores. Glacier and Verlot Public Service Centers only accept cash and checks. Forest Service offices and REI stores are closed Thanksgiving Day. Forest Service offices may close early Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve; please call ahead for operating hours.

Plan to purchase a parking permit if the trip includes parking in a designated Sno-Park lot. When at a trailhead requiring a fee, the Northwest Forest Pass will need to be displayed on the vehicle dashboard. Get a tree early before snow falls as most trees are reached by narrow, unplowed mountain roads. High-clearance vehicles are often required for forest roads along with tire chains and a shovel. Check ranger stations for road and weather information or go to www.fs.usda.gov/goto/mbs/road-trails.

Christmas Tree permits available at these locations:

Mt. Baker Ranger Station

810 State Route 20 Sedro-Woolley, WA

360-856-5700 Ext. 515

Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Nov. 28, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Dec. 5, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Dec. 12, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.Verlot Public Service Center

33515 Mountain Loop Highway, Granite Falls, WA

360-691-7791

Nov. 27-29, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Weekends, 8 a.m.- 3 p.m.Enumclaw Office

450 Roosevelt Ave. E. Enumclaw, WA

360-825-6585

Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Nov. 28-29, 8 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 5-6, 8 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 12-13, 8 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.Glacier Public Service Center