On Black Friday, 1,500 customers at ΉσΒαΓ€±τ±τ°ωΓ€±Ή±π²Τβs U.S. stores will receive America the Beautiful National Park and Federal Recreation Lands Annual Passes. The brandβs will open at 9 a.m. on November 29 and hand out the cards on a first-come, first-served basis. All locations are part of the promotion, but the number of passes may vary between stores. The promotion is limited to one per customer and does not require a minimum purchase.Β
Federal lands are supposed to be for everyone, but accessing them isnβt always cheap. The Β is $80 andΒ covers entrance and day-use fees for one car and everyone in it at more than 2,000 national parks, monuments, seashores, and historical sites. Each pass is valid for 12 months.Β
βWeβre always looking for ways to inspire people to walk with nature,β said Nathan Dopp, ΉσΒαΓ€±τ±τ°ωΓ€±Ή±π²Τβs CEO of the Americas, citing the brandβs that take place in eight countries each year. He says that giving some of its customers free access to federal lands is the latest way the brand is encouraging people to spend time outdoors.Β
ΉσΒαΓ€±τ±τ°ωΓ€±Ή±π²Τ is in good company with its holiday-shopping outdoor initiative. REI started the trend in 2015 with itsΒ campaign, closing stores on Black Friday to encourage customers to spend the day in nature instead. It has continued the tradition every year since. Patagonia is matching all donations made through ,Β which connectsΒ people to environmental organizations they can donate to or volunteer with, starting this Black Friday and continuing through the end of the year. from the big shopping day to nonprofit partner Kula, which works with women in Rwanda.
ΉσΒαΓ€±τ±τ°ωΓ€±Ή±π²Τβs initiative is different: it benefits both cause and customers. The promotion supports the National Park Service through the companyβs purchase ofΒ 1,500Β passes, as well as provides increasesΒ awareness andΒ likely a boost in visitation. At the same time, it will give lucky recipients access to federal lands that otherwise doesnβt come cheap. βWe just hope to get passes into the hands of people who will really appreciate them and use them,β Dopp said. βWe all wish we could spend more time out there, and I think there is a barrier to entry. All kinds of demographics might really appreciate this access.β
The brand encourages customers who receive passes to post photos ofΒ enjoying the parks responsibly with the hashtag . This is the first year for the promotion, though Dopp said he hopes it will happen again next yearβjust in time for this yearβs lucky customers to renew their passes.Β