Latest news with #NaturalStateInitiative
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission announce new outdoor education pilot program
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced a new pilot program focused on education and outdoor recreation. On Wednesday, Gov. Sanders held a press conference at the Witt Stephens Jr. Nature Center in Little Rock to announce the Arkansas Outdoor Education Pilot Program. The governor said the pilot will be a partnership between the Arkansas Department of Education and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and is intended to equip students for a future career in outdoor recreation such as becoming an ecologist or researcher. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders grants over $460,000 for outdoor recreation Districts across the Natural State can apply to be one of 30 schools that implement new curriculum centered around outdoor education into classrooms that meet core and elective requirements, the governor said. 'If this program is successful in our first 30 pilot schools, which I know it will be, we have the opportunity to bring it to schools all across our state and establish a model for the whole country to follow,' Sanders said. Gov. Sanders said one of her priorities is to expand the state's outdoor economy. Sanders launched the Natural State Initiative, which is under the leadership of First Gentleman Bryan Sanders. The pilot program is one of this initiative's key objective, according to the governor. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Chief of Education Mary Beth Hatch, Arkansas Secretary Jacob Oliva, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism and Director of State Parks Shea Lewis, and Director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Doug Schoenrock also spoke at the press conference in support of the new pilot 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders grants over $460,000 for outdoor recreation
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders presented more than $460,000 to four Arkansas cities on Wednesday as recreation grants. Sanders was joined by Secretary Shea Lewis, Secretary Renee Mallory and Office of Outdoor Recreation Director Katherine Andrews in making the presentation as part of the Great Strides program. Arkansas parks department awards recreation grants to counties around the state Officials said the Wednesday $468,838 award is the first Great Strides grant since the program went dormant in 2017. According to a governor's spokesperson, reinstituting the program was one of the recommendations of the Natural State Initiative to enhance the state's outdoor economy. 'The focus of the Great Strides program since we restarted it has been to make every part of Arkansas, particularly our smaller communities, great places to live and raise a family by investing in outdoor recreation opportunities,' the governor said. The grant recipients are Arkansas cities Denning, $73,897; Keo, $114,192; Ozan, $121,200 and Sulpher Springs, $159,550 for city park trails. New all-terrain wheelchair program launched at Pinnacle Mountain State Park Funding for the grant comes from the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Fund. Recipient communities will use these grant funds to establish health and fitness trails that encourage physical activity and provide health benefits through safe and easily accessible facilities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Arkansas tourism economy gains law promoting mountain bike parks
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders speaks at the 51st annual Arkansas Governor's Conference on Tourism on Feb. 25, 2025 in Bentonville. (Screenshot from livestream) Arkansas' governor signed into law Tuesday a bill that lays the groundwork for developing lift-access downhill mountain bike parks, supporting her initiative to grow the state's outdoor recreation economy. Senate Bill 203 defines 'recreational tramways' for state parks and outlines liabilities and responsibilities of bike lift operators and mountain bikers who use the systems. Such systems are expected to be used in bike parks planned in Bella Vista and Mena. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed SB 203 after making remarks Tuesday morning at the 51st annual Arkansas Governor's Tourism Conference in Bentonville. The legislation supports the governor's Natural State Initiative, which has an advisory council chaired by her husband, and aims to advance outdoor recreation and its economy in Arkansas. Arkansas panel OKs bill easing the way for mountain bike chair lifts An 'enhanced lodge' at Petit Jean State Park and the completion of the Delta Heritage Trail are other projects planned in addition to the bike parks, according to Sanders, who said her administration 'will not take our foot off the gas.' 'Arkansas' tourism is booming,' she said. 'We are uniquely situated in the Heartland to offer world-class hiking, biking, climbing, floating, boating, hunting and fishing to millions of Americans. And because of our weather, we can offer access to epic outdoor adventures, 365 days a year.' Tuesday's bill signing comes a day after the release of a new Heartland Forward report that found outdoor recreation is a $7.3 billion industry for Arkansas that supports more than 68,000 jobs and generates nearly $2 billion in tax revenue. Heartland Forward is a 'policy think-and-do-tank' that serves as a resource for states and communities in the middle of the U.S., according to a press release. 'Arkansas is home to some of the country's most stunning natural landmarks, making the state a rich place to live and creating a thriving outdoor recreation industry that is key to economic success,' Heartland Forward Chairman and CEO Ross DeVol said in a statement. 'To maintain this momentum, we need strategic investments in infrastructure, workforce development, and policy.' The Arkansas Outdoor Recreation Impact Report found that outdoor amenity construction's contribution to the state's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 52.7% over the last four years, driven in part by the state's major expansion of bike trails. The growth of mountain biking, particularly in Northwest Arkansas, has been driven by projects backed by the Walton family. Walmart heirs Tom and Steuart Walton and their company, Runway Group, are developing the Bella Vista bike lift park. Tom is a member of the governor's Natural State Initiative Advisory Council. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
