Little Rock, Arkansas – In a major move to reshape how Arkansas students engage with the natural world, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, alongside First Gentleman Bryan Sanders, announced the launch of a new Outdoor Education Pilot program. Designed to inspire the next generation of outdoor professionals and conservationists, the initiative will pair traditional learning with nature-based experiences in 30 selected schools across the state during its first year.
The program will be a collaborative effort between the Arkansas Department of Education and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. The ultimate goal is to establish a long-term, statewide outdoor curriculum that fosters both academic success and a deep appreciation for Arkansas’ rich natural environment.
A Push to Move Classrooms Outdoors
“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.”
The Outdoor Education Pilot aims to do much more than just entertain. It will offer students the opportunity to learn about ecology, conservation, and potential career paths in outdoor fields such as research and wildlife management. Through hands-on activities, outdoor projects, and structured lessons, students will explore nature while fulfilling core educational standards.
First Gentleman Bryan Sanders, who chairs the Natural State Initiative Advisory Council, underscored the broader vision behind the pilot. “Getting kids outside is one of the best things we can do for them, improving their education, health and quality of life,” he said. “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.”
Curriculum Rooted in Conservation and Curiosity
Mary Beth Hatch, Chief of Education at the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, outlined how the curriculum will blend classroom standards with real-world application. “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,” Hatch said.
Arkansas Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva echoed that sentiment, calling the outdoors “a powerful opportunity for hands-on learning that inspire curiosity, support academic growth, and build a lasting connection to the environment.”
Doug Schoenrock, Director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, emphasized the program’s long-term impact: “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.”
Boosting Arkansas’ Outdoor Economy Through Education
The pilot program comes as Arkansas’ outdoor economy continues to thrive. Under Governor Sanders’ leadership, the industry has grown from $3.5 billion to $4.5 billion. In the most recent year for which data is available, Arkansas attracted more than 50 million visitors who spent nearly $10 billion, with a large share of that spending tied to outdoor recreation.
This initiative also supports the objectives outlined in the 2023 Natural State Initiative report, which aims to unite public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders in expanding access to outdoor spaces and career pathways.
Applications for the Outdoor Education Pilot are now open to Arkansas schools. This unique approach to learning promises to be a cornerstone in the state’s efforts to educate students in and about the great outdoors, reinforcing the importance of environmental stewardship and creating new avenues for future employment.
To apply, interested schools can visit the Arkansas Department of Education’s official website.
