Arkansas launches outdoor education pilot to get students outside

Above: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in Little Rock on Wednesday, announcing an outdoor education pilot program in Arkansas. Image: Screenshot from conference.

In a move to swap screens for streams and classrooms for creeks, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Wednesday announced a new outdoor education pilot program that will bring nature-based learning to 30 schools across the state.

The initiative, a partnership between the Arkansas Department of Education and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, aims to integrate outdoor experiences with classroom instruction while encouraging careers in conservation and recreation.

“A student’s education should not be fully reliant on technology and smart devices,” Sanders said at the announcement. “This program emphasizes why my husband, Bryan, and I started the Natural State Initiative: to get kids off screens and outside.”

First Gentleman Bryan Sanders, who chairs the Natural State Initiative Advisory Council, said the program will help build a future workforce to support the state’s $4.5 billion outdoor economy.

In a statement, the governor’s office said the governor has made expanding Arkansas’ outdoor economy a priority and launched the Natural State Initiative, under the leadership of the First Gentleman, 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.

The pilot will include curriculum aligned with state education standards and focus on hands-on learning in conservation, outdoor recreation, and environmental science. Officials say the state will evaluate the program after its first year and consider expanding it statewide.

“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, with more than 50 million visitors spending nearly $10 billion in the most recent year on record—much of it tied to outdoor activities.

Applications for schools to join the pilot program are now open. Click here to apply.