You may have heard by now that as of July 1, access to Washington state parks and recreation areas will cost $10 for a day pass or $30 for an annual pass that must be displayed on your vehicle.

It covers recreation lands managed by the Washington state Parks and Recreation Commission, the state Department of Natural Resources, and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. Failure to display the Discover Pass at a park can result in a $99 fine.

The pass may now bw purchased online; in person from any of nearly 600 recreational license vendors where state fishing and hunting licenses are sold; at the Sultan Visitor Information Center, 320 Main St., Sultan; by calling 866-320-9933; or when you renew your vehicle license. Go to www.discoverpass.wa.gov for details.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that you can earn a free annual Discover Pass by contributing 24 hours of agency-approved volunteer work in state recreation areas.

Friends of Wallace Falls State Park is coordinating volunteers for the Wallace Falls State Park Management Area, which includes Index Town Wall, the Big Eddy day-use area east of Gold Bar and Mount Pilchuck Lookout. The annual pass earned by volunteering at these and other state recreation areas, with official agency approval, will be valid at any Washington State recreation area.

Go to the above website for details on the volunteer program.

Dates set for the Wallace Falls area for work parties are June 18, June 25, July 9, July 30, Aug. 6 and Aug. 13. Tasks include facilities and trails maintenance, or other projects to preserve and improve the park.

More information about Friends of Wallace Falls State Park is at www.wallacefalls.org. To volunteer to earn a Discover Pass, contact info@wallacefalls.org or call 360-793-0420.

Herald staff