Passport to Texas

This is Passport to Texas

If you’re under 30 years old chances are you’ve spent less time outdoors than previous generations.

Ky Harkey is the outdoor education and outreach coordinator for state parks, and oversees the Texas State Park Ambassador Program, which targets these “millennials.”

21— The millennial generation, if you will—roughly 16 to 28 year olds or so—is a particular focus for us – trying to bring that audience into parks. The millennials that are out there right now that love Texas State Parks, and are already our advocates, the Ambassador program gives them the tools that they need to help promote Texas State Parks, and the benefits of outdoor recreation with their peers.

Volunteer Ambassadors work to increase visitation of young adults in State Parks.

15— In a hyper, online digital world today, we see that actually word-of-mouth marketing is still one of the best ways to bring new audiences into our parks. Through videos, and photos and inspiring stories, it’s trying to light a fire under these millenials that are not getting outdoors right now.

Ambassadors receive free admission and camping sites at state parks, and then share their experiences and help others create memories.

06— They have created videos promoting Texas State parks; they’ve hosted concerts in the parks. So, we see the success not only in the individual touches that they’ve had with new audiences, but in the work that they are doing to pioneer the future of the Ambassador program.

Visit texasstateparks.org and find out how to become a SP ambassador.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 26th, 2014 at 12:00 am and is filed under State Parks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.