Sanders, AGFC Announce Arkansas Outdoor Education Pilot Program

LITTLE ROCK, AR - Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today joined First Gentleman and Natural State Initiative Advisory Council Chair, Bryan Sanders, Mary Beth Hatch, Chief of Education for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and Director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Doug Schoenrock, to announce Arkansas’ new Outdoor Education Pilot program.

The pilot will be a partnership between the Arkansas Department of Education and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and will help equip students for a future career in outdoor recreation such as becoming an ecologist or researcher. 30 schools from across the state will be selected to participate in the program during its first year, after which the State will evaluate the program’s effectiveness and prepare for a statewide launch.

 “A student’s education should not be fully reliant on technology and smart devices,” said Governor Sanders. “This program emphasizes another reason why my husband, Bryan, and I started the Natural State Initiative: to get kids off screens and outside. Thank you to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for investing in our kids’ future and promoting outdoor education.”

“Getting kids outside is one of the best things we can do for them, improving their education, health and quality of life,” said First Gentleman and Natural State Initiative Advisory Council Chair Bryan Sanders. “This program will inspire our kids to develop a greater appreciation for the Natural State, and help Arkansas build a pipeline of future workers and entrepreneurs to support our growing tourism industry and outdoor economy.”

 “The Arkansas Outdoor Education initiative is a way for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to lead the way in the integration of conservation and outdoor recreation experiences into the educational journey for every student in Arkansas,” said Mary Beth Hatch, Chief of Education for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. “We have designed this with resources that are built around the standards taught in core and elective content areas, experiences in outdoor learning and engagement, and projects that empower students to think critically and solve problems about the world around them. These outdoor learning experiences that are connected to what is being taught in the classroom will provide opportunities for students to improve mental and physical health, learn new knowledge and skills in the natural state, gain confidence and independence, and reduce screen time. We are excited to collaborate with these other state agencies to bring this conservation and outdoor recreation-focused learning model to all schools in the state.” 

 “The Arkansas Department of Education, in partnership with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, is excited to support this outdoor education initiative,” said Arkansas Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva. “Arkansas’ natural landscapes offer powerful opportunities for hands-on learning that inspire curiosity, support academic growth, and build a lasting connection to the environment. As the Natural State, we are uniquely positioned to make the outdoors an essential part of every student’s education, while also building a strong talent pipeline for rewarding, in-demand careers in outdoor recreation and conservation.”

“Arkansans serve a vital role in keeping the Natural State Natural,” said Director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Doug Schoenrock. “The knowledge and experiences gained from this initiative will provide students with a connection to the woods and waters of Arkansas, building future outdoor recreationists and conservationists. The Governor and First Gentleman’s vision to incorporate the outdoors in everyday classroom content is truly revolutionary and speaks volumes about how natural resources and outdoor activities are woven into the fabric of The Natural State.

Tourism is Arkansas’ second-largest industry, and, under Governor Sanders’ leadership, Arkansas’ outdoor economy has grown from $3.5 billion to $4.5 billion. In the most recent year for which data is available, Arkansas welcomed more than 50 million visitors who spent nearly $10 billion, much of it on outdoor recreation opportunities.

Governor Sanders has made expanding Arkansas’ outdoor economy a priority and launched the Natural State Initiative, under the leadership of First Gentleman Bryan Sanders, to bring together the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. This education pilot program is one of the Initiative’s key objectives, identified as part of the report they issued in 2023.

Applications for the pilot program are now open. Please visit here to apply.