Contact:

Jennifer Benito-Kowalski | Save the Redwoods League | D: (415) 820-5814 | jbenito@SaveTheRedwoods.org

Or Patsy Barich | Bon Mot PR | C: (415) 596-5860 | patsy@bonmotpr.com

SAVE THE REDWOODS LEAGUE TO PROVIDE FREE DAY-USE ADMISSION FOR ANYONE WHO VISITS A PARTICIPATING CALIFORNIA REDWOOD STATE PARK ON THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING

— Conservation nonprofit and California State Parks invite everyone to start a new Black Friday tradition

Download the full press release

SAN FRANCISCO (November 18, 2015) — Save the Redwoods League, the only nonprofit organization in the world dedicated to protecting redwood forests throughout their natural ranges, today announced Free Friday in the Redwoods — free admission to 49 participating California redwood state parks on Black Friday, November 27, 2015.

On the day after Thanksgiving, Save the Redwoods League and California State Parks invite everyone to bring their friends and families to explore a beautiful redwood state park. The shopping — and the leftovers — can wait. Thanksgiving is about sharing time with friends and family, and appreciating our many shared blessings. Redwood parks are uniquely suited for both! So come to a redwood state park; free admission sponsored by Save the Redwoods League is the best bargain you’re going to find this Black Friday!

“Thanksgiving is a great American tradition,” said Sam Hodder, president and chief executive officer of Save the Redwoods League. “This year, Save the Redwoods League wants to make it even better. We are starting a new tradition for Black Friday. We invite everyone to experience the moments of joy, renewal and inspiration that you’ll find among our natural wonders, the ancient giant redwoods.”

“California State Parks and Save the Redwoods League have worked together for more than 80 years to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to protect its most valued natural resources,” said California State Parks Director, Lisa Mangat. “Free Friday in the Redwoods continues that tradition, inviting everyone to enjoy one of our greatest treasures, the redwood forest.”

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: All visitors wishing to enjoy Free Redwood Parks Day must go to SaveTheRedwoods.org/freefriday to download and print a paper Free Redwood State Parks Day-Use Pass, which must be presented to state park staff at the entry gate. If no state parks employee is on duty, the pass must be displayed on their vehicle’s dashboard. Free admission is good for day-use only. Day-use hours are typically 8 a.m. to sunset. Recreational activities at individual parks may vary. Examples include walking, hiking, biking and picnicking. Please check California Redwood State Park you wish to visit for hours and activities. Links to each park are at SaveTheRedwoods.org/freefriday.

EDITORS ALSO NOTE: Free trip guides and brochures also available on our website. To access B-roll or redwood state park images please visit our news resources page.

For more information, visit SaveTheRedwoods.org/freefriday or follow the hashtags #OptOutside #IntoTheRedwoods at facebook.com/SaveTheRedwoodsLeague and at twitter.com/savetheredwoods.

Participating California Redwoods State Parks and Partnering Cooperating Associations/ Friends Groups

Near the Bay Area Annadel SP

Bothe-Napa Valley SP

Jack London SHP

Mount Tamalpais SP

Samuel P. Taylor SP Partners

California State Parks Foundation

Jack London Park Partners Santa Cruz Big Basin Redwoods SP

Butano SP

Castle Rock SP

Henry Cowell Redwoods SP

Portola Redwoods SP

The Forest of Nisene Marks SP

Wilder Ranch SP Partners

Mountain Parks Foundation

Portola and Castle Rock Foundation

Sempervirens Fund Monterey Andrew Molera SP

Garrapata SP

Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP

Limekiln SP

Pfeiffer Big Sur SP North Coast Redwoods Admiral William Standley SRA

Benbow Lake SRA

Del Norte Coast Redwoods SP

Fort Humboldt SHP

Grizzly Creek Redwoods SP

Harry A. Merlo SRA

Humboldt Lagoons SP

Humboldt Redwoods SP

Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP

John B. Dewitt Redwoods SNR

Patrick’s Point SP

Prairie Creek Redwoods SP

Richardson Grove SP

Sinkyone Wilderness SP

Smithe Redwoods SNR

Standish-Hickey SRA Partners

Humboldt Redwoods Interpretive Association

Redwood Parks Association

National Park Service Sonoma-Mendocino Coast Armstrong Redwoods SNR

Austin Creek SRA

Fort Ross SHP

Hendy Woods SP

Jug Handle SNR

Kruse Rhododendron SNR

Mailliard Redwoods SNR

Mendocino Headlands SP

Mendocino Woodlands SP

Montgomery Woods SNR

Navarro River Redwoods SP

Russian Gulch SP

Salt Point SP

Sonoma Coast SP

Van Damme SP Partners

Fort Ross Conservancy

Hendy Woods Community

Mendocino Area Parks Association

Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods Sierra Nevada Calaveras Big Trees SP Partners

Calaveras Big Trees Association

SP: State Park | SNR: State Natural Reserve | SRA: State Recreation Area | SHP: State Historic Park

About Save the Redwoods League

Walk through a redwood forest—home of the tallest, largest and some of the oldest living beings on Earth—and you can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of awe and peace among these magnificent giants. Since 1918, Save the Redwoods League has led the effort to protect coast redwoods and giant sequoias for all to experience and enjoy. To date, the League has protected nearly 200,000 acres of redwood forest and associated land from southern Oregon to the Big Sur coastline of central California. As part of that effort, the organization has created and expanded 63 redwood parks and preserves that inspire awestruck visitors from around the world. For more information, visit SaveTheRedwoods.org.

Tags: 2015, Black Friday, california state parks, free admission, Free Friday, Press Release, redwood parks, Thanksgiving