The Story Board: October 2021

National Wildlife Refuge Week 2021

Rediscover your love of nature during National Wildlife Refuge Week, October 10 – 16! Celebrate the great network of lands and waters that conserves and protects our precious wildlife heritage with events throughout the week.

The National Wildlife Refuge System, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, provides vital habitat for thousands of native species while offering outstanding recreation opportunities. Now is the perfect time to discover why tens of millions of Americans visit refuges each year to enjoy fishing, hunting, hiking, and wildlife watching.

There are 568 national wildlife refuges with at least one in every state, so you’re never far from a National Wildlife Refuge System adventure! Find a national wildlife refuge near you and get outdoors with Recreation.gov.

We know it’s only October, but get your best tree decorations ready and cue the carols, Christmas Tree Permits will soon be available through Recreation.gov!

Coming back to Recreation.gov this holiday season, you'll be able to purchase a permit to cut down a Christmas tree at a National Forest in your area. Cutting down your own tree is the perfect way to create a memorable holiday experience, share a special tradition with family and friends, and help maintain a healthy forest.

Christmas Tree Permits will be available for purchase through Recreation.gov beginning on October 14, 2021. Keep in mind that sale dates for permits may vary by individual forests.

Head over to Recreation.gov, find forests near you offering permits, and #BringHomeaStory this holiday season!

Honoring Veterans Across the Nation

In recognition of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, November 11 is a fee-free day at participating Federal agency locations. Make sure you Know Before You Go for more information about the location's policies and current visitation guidelines.

Since Veterans Day 2020, Gold Star Families and US military veterans are eligible to receive free access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests. This program is a way to thank America’s veterans, Gold Star Families, and current military and their dependents for their support of our country and to encourage them to explore recreational opportunities on their public lands and waters.

Get ready to commemorate the service and sacrifices of our veterans by checking out our recommendations for outdoor and historic sites across the country to pay tribute to our veterans with Recreation.gov: