Tis the Season…For a Forest Service Holiday Tree!

Release Date: Nov 7, 2016

JOHN DAY, PRAIRIE CITY, and HINES, Ore.  – 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 (EKIP) initiative, the Malheur National Forest is excited to announce that all fourth graders are eligible for a free holiday tree permit from their local forest service office.

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.

For those harvesting Christmas Trees on the Malheur National Forest, avoid cutting trees in or near developed campgrounds, tree plantations, stream site areas and marked old growth areas.  Holiday Tree permits can be obtained at any Malheur National Forest office for just $5.00 each (cash, check, or credit), with a limit of 5 permits per household. Your permit allows cutting a holiday tree up to 12 feet in height.  Only trees that have another tree within 20 feet may be cut to maintain disbursement of trees and optimum growth for the future.  Harvesters are asked to not cut larger trees just to remove the tops. 

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 National Forest office to claim the free permit with their parent or guardian.

Currently, each office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Offices may be moving into winter hours. Please contact the local forest office near you:

• Malheur National Forest, Supervisor’s Office

431 Patterson Bridge Road, John Day, OR   97845 ● 541-575-3000

• Emigrant Creek Ranger District

265 Highway 20 South, Hines, OR   97738 ● 541-573-4300

• Prairie City Ranger District

327 SW Front Street, Prairie City, OR   97869 ● 541-820-3800

Winter weather in the forest can change rapidly. Forest Service roads are not maintained for winter travel. Please carry traction devices and be advised of winter road closures and snow park permit requirements. The Forest Service recommends you start early in the day and be out of the forest before dark. Keep your family and your own safety in mind as you head out to look for a holiday tree. Dress warmly and carry a forest map, snacks, and water. Do not rely solely on your GPS as some information may not be accurate or up-to-date. Also make sure friends or family know where you are going and when you plan to return. Plus, don’t forget a tool to cut your tree and rope or cord to secure it to your vehicle.

From sea to shining sea, our country is home to gorgeous landscapes, vibrant waterways, and historic treasures that all Americans can enjoy. But right now, young people are spending more time in front of screens than outside, and that means they are missing out on valuable opportunities to explore, learn, and play in the spectacular outdoor places that belong to all of them. The Every Kid in a Park initiative calls on each of our agencies to help get all children to visit and enjoy the outdoors and inspire a new generation of Americans to experience their country’s unrivaled public lands and waters. Starting in September, every fourth-grader in the nation will receive an “Every Kid in a Park” pass that’s good for free admission to all of America’s federal lands and waters -- for them and their families -- for a full year! For more information, visit www.everykidinapark.gov.

The Pacific Northwest Region consists of 16 National Forests, 59 District Offices, a National Scenic Area, and a National Grassland comprising 24.7 million acres in Oregon and Washington and employing approximately 3,550 people. To learn more about the U.S. Forest Service in the Pacific Northwest, please visit www.fs.usda.gov/r6. Visitors can access the Malheur National Forest online by visiting http://www.fs.usda.gov/malheur/.

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Holiday Trees General Guidelines

• Before heading out, check the local forest for the latest warnings, such as fire or road closures.
• Always check weather conditions for proper dress attire in the forests.
• Tell someone you know where you are going and when you’ll return.
• Stay away from areas along the sides of streams, rivers, lakes, and wet areas. Check with the ranger district for the proper distance.
• Be aware of areas where trees may be weakened by storms, insect damage or fire.
• Learn how to read a map and carry it with you.
• Know your location, the weather, and your ability to traverse through snow. 
• Dress for the season. Always be prepared for the cold and snow, and start tree hunting early in the day to have plenty of daylight hours.
• Bring emergency supplies, including water and food and a first-aid kit.
• The tree you choose must be at least 200 feet from main roads, recreation sites and campgrounds, and stay away from areas along the sides of streams, rivers, lakes, and wet areas. Check with the ranger district for the proper distance.
• Select a tree from overstocked areas and thickets. Watch restricted areas. Cut only one tree per tag.  
• Attach your tree tag to harvested tree before placing in vehicle.
• Bring a rope and tarp to move your tree from the harvest area to your vehicle.

Please remember, you are responsible for your own safety and for the safety of those around you.