4th Graders eligible for free Christmas tree permits
In support of Every Kid in a Park, the Bridger-Teton National Forest will offer one free Christmas tree cutting permit to fourth graders who present a valid paper or durable Every Kid in a Park pass. The tree permit is good for trees under 12-feet and the fourth grader must be present at the time the permit is issued.
The U.S. Forest Service is among the federal agencies that support the Every Kid in a Park initiative, a nationwide call to action to build the next generation of conservationists. The initiative provides a free pass to all fourth-grade students who first go to this website and complete the application process. Students can either use a paper pass or can redeem the paper pass for a durable pass at select federal lands. The paper voucher and pass do not cover expanded amenity fees such as camping, boat launching, parking, special tours, special permits or ferries. In addition, at some locations private concessionaires and resorts manage some facilities and activities. Neither the paper voucher nor pass is valid for these services.
The Every Kid in a Park initiative aims to involve fourth graders and their families in federal public lands and to help develop a generation who will care for those lands The Bridger-Teton National Forest manages 3.4 million acres of land for multiple uses, including offering forest products through permits such as those for Christmas trees and firewood collection. “The goal of the Every Kid in a Park initiative is to inspire these fourth-graders and their families to visit their public lands,” said Forest Supervisor Tricia O’Connor. “Our hope is that every child around the Bridger-Teton has the opportunity to visit and enjoy their National Forest by the time he or she is 11 years old,” she said.
Forest Service efforts to celebrate Every Kid in November and December of 2015 will emphasize recreating on National Forests and Grasslands, winter sports, and the annual Capitol Christmas tree campaign. “Research shows that children ages 9-11 are at a unique developmental stage in their learning where they begin to understand how the world around them works in more concrete ways,” said O’Connor. “The Bridger-Teton is happy to offer these permits to our fourth graders; hopefully spurring their interest in public lands and helping them grow into the next generation of stewards, ready to support and care for these natural wonders.”
