Silver City, NM, September 27, 2018—For Immediate Release.  The Gila National Forest, Silver City Ranger District supported the Every Kid in a Park program by visiting all three fourth-grade classrooms at Harrison H. Schmitt Elementary. Silver City Ranger District’s Fire Prevention Technician, Jodi Mallozzi, aided by other Gila NF employees, visited all of the fourth graders at Harrison-Schmitt Elementary. She and Smokey Bear taught a stewardship message to the children and then passed out 84 4th-grade passes.

The Every Kid in a Park initiative provides an opportunity for US fourth grade studies across the country to experience their federal lands and waters in person. The pass will give the child and his/her family free access to all of the federal lands and waters across the U.S. for a full year. Fourth graders will be able to learn about their heritage, connect with nature, and ignite a passion for history and culture.

Another perk of the pass is that the fourth grader, along with their parent or guardian, can come into any Forest Service office and receive a free Christmas tree cutting permit.

For more information on the Every Kid in a Park initiative go here.

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website here.