OLYMPIC NATIONAL FOREST — National Forest Service Christmas tree permits go on sale Monday — but fourth-graders can get a permit for their families for free.
Permits are $5 each and are good for one U-cut tree on Olympic National Forest through Dec. 23. Credit cards, cash and checks are accepted.
Permits can be purchased at any Olympic National Forest office during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, excluding federal holidays — with special weekend hours at different locations, excluding Thanksgiving Day.
Here are the offices:
• Hood Canal Ranger District — 295142 S. U.S. Highway 101, Quilcene; 360-765-2200.
• Pacific Ranger District, Forks office — 437 Tillicum Lane; 360-374-6522.
• Pacific Ranger District, Quinault office — 353 S. Shore Road; 360-288-2525.
• Olympic National Forest headquarters — 1835 Black Lake Blvd. S.W., Olympia; 360-956-2402. Special hours will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec. 17.
• Hoodsport Visitor Information Center — 150 N. Lake Cushman Road, Hoodsport; 360-877-2021. Weekend hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and from noon to 3 p.m. Sundays.
Fourth-graders can receive free permits through the Every Kid in a Park initiative.
To receive a free tree permit, a student must present in person a valid paper voucher printed from the Every Kid in a Park website at www.everykidinapark.gov or a current Every Kid in a Park pass.
The Every Kid in a Park initiative is a national effort to encourage children to visit national parks, forests and public lands. As part of the initiative, all fourth-graders in the country can obtain a paper pass for free entry into all federal lands and waters by visiting the Every Kid in a Park website.
For more information or additional special hours, call 360-956-2402.
