Fee-free access and tree permit for fifthgraders and families

The Forest Service has expanded the agency’s Every Kid Outdoors program to give fifth-graders and their families fee-free access and free Christmas tree permits. The program has been for fourth-graders.

Vouchers for both free access to thousands of Forest Service sites and tree permits will be provided to fifth-graders for the 20202021 school year. The vouchers are available for download now through Aug. 31, 2021, on the Every Kid Outdoors website. Click on the link in the “Hey, fifth-graders!” banner at the top of the page to download a voucher.

“Every Kid Outdoors is a federal public lands partnership created to encourage kids and their families to explore, learn and play in America’s great outdoors by giving fourthgraders passes to America’s national forests, parks and historic sites,” according to a statement from the Forest Service. “Unfortunately, many of last year’s fourth-graders missed the chance to use their vouchers due to the pandemic.”

Fourth- and fifth-grade voucher holders can get a free Christmas tree permit online through Recreation.gov on the Carson NF Christmas tree permit page. Note that Recreation.gov charges a $2.50 service fee for online Christmas tree permits, including the free Every Kid Outdoor permits. But the usual Forest Service permit fee is waived.

Haaland appointed to national defense act committee

For a second year, New Mexico Congresswoman Deb Haaland is being appointed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to serve on a conference committee of the House and Senate versions of the 2021 National

Defense Authorization Act.

Haaland, along with committee Chair Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), will represent the House Committee on Natural Resources in the NDAA’s Conference Committee.

“The National Defense Authorization has a major impact on our environment and will need that lens when we’re reviewing the bills,” said Haaland in a statement. “I’m grateful for Chair Smith’s leadership on this front and as a Natural Resources Committee Conferee, I am hopeful that we can retain several important provisions to protect public lands and drinking water, improve climate resilience, clean up PFAS, and keep our military families safe and healthy in the final conference agreement.”