Sanders Launches My Natural State Story

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today launched the My Natural State Story contest alongside the Arkansas Department of Education, the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, and the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage & Tourism, inviting students across the state to get outdoors, experience the Natural State, and tell their story.

"Arkansas is blessed with some of the greatest natural areas and opportunities for outdoor recreation anywhere in the country, which I want every kid in our state to experience firsthand," said Governor Sanders. "This contest is about getting kids off screens and outdoors and using the power of storytelling to inspire the next generation to experience everything the Natural State has to offer."

"Through the Natural State Initiative, we're working to make Arkansas a world-class outdoor recreation destination, and that starts with inspiring the next generation of conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts," said First Gentleman Bryan Sanders. "This contest gives kids a platform to share their amazing stories and inspire other kids to follow their lead and discover God's epic creation here in Arkansas."

"Some of our strongest connections to Arkansas begin with a childhood memory outdoors, a first fish, a night under the stars, a trail explored or an adventure with family," said Shea Lewis, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. "Governor Sanders' program is about celebrating those stories and helping young Arkansans recognize that these places, traditions, and experiences are part of their story, too. When young people build that connection to The Natural State, they become the generation that will carry it forward."

"Arkansas is the Natural State for a reason," said Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva. "Inviting students to share their own outdoor stories is one of the best ways to celebrate the places that shape us. This program will inspire curiosity and help students make real-world connections and learn more about Arkansas' heritage."

"Keeping students engaged in learning experiences that connect them to conservation and outdoor recreation is an incredible way to make learning concrete," said Mary Beth Hatch, Chief of Education at the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. "In Arkansas we are integrating these experiences into core and elective content classes so that students can experience Arkansas at its fullest. This unique lens to education is reinvigorating the classroom and the next generation. We hope to see some stories about these experiences and see everyone in the field and on the water."

Students can submit their stories to this link. Submissions open today and stories can be submitted until Monday, October 12. Winners will be reviewed and announced afterward.

Essays can be up to 500 words, and any essay that uses AI-generated text will be automatically excluded. Students can submit stories in one of the seven categories: hunting, fishing, boating or paddling, climbing, cycling or mountain biking, camping, or hiking, and should describe where the experience took place, what the student did, and why it mattered to them. One winner will be selected from each category in addition to one overall "My Natural State Story of the Year."

Students may compete in one of two age groups: ages 10-13 and ages 14-17. One winner from each age group will be selected from each category, for a total of 14 activity winners. Then, one student from each age group will receive the contest's highest honor: "My Natural State Story of the Year." In total, 16 Arkansas students will receive prizes and be invited to a dinner honoring them at the governor's mansion.

Winners will be awarded prizes provided by donations from Arkansas-based outdoor brands, outfitters, and destinations:

• Arkansas Outdoor Story of the Year - Arkansas Game and Fish Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License Lifetime License; $500 gift and experience package provided by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism
• Hunting - Banded prize pack, provided by Banded
• Fishing - $1,000 PRADCO Fishing prize pack, provided by PRADCO Fishing
• Boating/Paddling - Arkansas Canoe Club prize pack, including a life jacket, helmet, and fees for river school for two for the younger division or a choice of river or whitewater school for two for the older division, provided by the Arkansas Canoe Club
• Climbing - Two-night stay at an Arkansas State Parks lodge and two passes for a guided climb or via ferrata, provided by State Parks and Frontier Climbing
• Cycling - OZ Trails Bike Park family day pass, USA Cycling prize pack, and an Ozark Trail Mountain Bike, provided by OZ Trails Bike Park, USA Cycling, and Ozark Trail Bike
• Camping - Two-night stay at an Arkansas State Parks campground or camper cabin of choice and a PackRat tent and sleeping bag, provided by State Parks and PackRat
• Hiking - Family pass for four to Crater of Diamonds and Gearhead prize pack, provided by State Parks and Gearhead

My Natural State Story builds on the Governor's efforts to expand Arkansas' outdoor economy and give more young Arkansans opportunities to experience the outdoors. Tourism is the state's second-largest industry, and last year, the state welcomed a record 54.3 million visitors who spent more than $10 billion during their stays, supporting nearly 72,000 jobs directly.

Last June, the Governor partnered with Arkansas Game and Fish to launch the Arkansas Outdoor Education Initiative, introducing students to outdoor recreation and potential careers in the outdoor economy. Expanding outdoor education is also a key objective of the Natural State Initiative, led by First Gentleman Bryan Sanders, which brings together leaders from public, private, and nonprofit sectors to grow Arkansas' outdoor economy and make the Natural State a destination for outdoor recreation.

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