Get Outdoors Georgia
Encyclopedia
Get Outdoors Georgia, or “GO” Georgia, is an initiative created by the Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources
to promote family-friendly, nature-based and health-focused activities throughout the state. It addresses the growing epidemic of obesity and its effect on the health of Georgia
citizens.
Georgians’ increasingly sedentary lifestyles and disconnection from nature are resulting in alarming health declines and a diminishing conservation ethic. Get Outdoors Georgia encourages citizens to take advantage of the state’s diverse natural resources to get fit, lead healthier lives, bond with their families and curb the obesity epidemic.
Get Outdoors Georgia launched in June 2008 when Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue
announced the GO Georgia program at a press conference at Skidaway Island State Park
in Savannah
and declared by proclamation that June is “Georgia Great Outdoors Month.” He noted that almost every Georgia resident lives within an hour’s drive of one of the 63 Georgia state parks or historic sites.
Activities such as biking, hiking and paddling clubs; specific healthy events and recreational activities throughout the state park system; the addition of a GO Georgia badge to the Junior Ranger Program; and a Library Loan ParkPass Program to make admission to state parks and historic sites accessible through local public libraries are major components of GO Georgia. In addition, a fun-loving gopher mascot2 encourages people to “go for” a walk, a hike or a day in the park.
, works in tandem with landing pages that target activity clusters with specific passions, such as camping
, hiking
, mountain biking
, family vacation ideas and more. The result is effectively increasing the likelihood that a visit to the site will lead to a visit to the park and ultimately to a positive impact on health.
reported that obesity costs the nation approximately 117 billion dollars a year. 61% of adults in the United States were overweight or obese (body mass index greater than 25). 300,000 deaths each year in the United States are attributed to obesity.
The State of Georgia ranks 14th in adult obesity and 12th in the number of overweight children.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is an administrative agency of the U.S. state of Georgia. The agency has statewide responsibilities for managing and conserving Georgia’s natural, cultural, and historical resources, and is divided into six divisions:...
to promote family-friendly, nature-based and health-focused activities throughout the state. It addresses the growing epidemic of obesity and its effect on the health of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
citizens.
Georgians’ increasingly sedentary lifestyles and disconnection from nature are resulting in alarming health declines and a diminishing conservation ethic. Get Outdoors Georgia encourages citizens to take advantage of the state’s diverse natural resources to get fit, lead healthier lives, bond with their families and curb the obesity epidemic.
Program History
The GO Georgia initiative evolved out of the state’s five-year recreation research and planning effort, the 2008 – 2013 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). The plan identifies health, fitness and livability of Georgia communities as a primary priority.Get Outdoors Georgia launched in June 2008 when Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue
Sonny Perdue
George Ervin "Sonny" Perdue III, was the 81st Governor of Georgia. Upon his inauguration in January 2003, he became the first Republican governor of Georgia since Benjamin F. Conley served during Reconstruction in the 1870s....
announced the GO Georgia program at a press conference at Skidaway Island State Park
Skidaway Island State Park
Skidaway Island State Park is a 588 acre Georgia state park located near Savannah. The park is founded on Skidaway Island, a barrier island, and borders Skidaway Straights, part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Two nature trails in the park wind through marshes, forests, and sand dunes,...
in Savannah
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
and declared by proclamation that June is “Georgia Great Outdoors Month.” He noted that almost every Georgia resident lives within an hour’s drive of one of the 63 Georgia state parks or historic sites.
Activities such as biking, hiking and paddling clubs; specific healthy events and recreational activities throughout the state park system; the addition of a GO Georgia badge to the Junior Ranger Program; and a Library Loan ParkPass Program to make admission to state parks and historic sites accessible through local public libraries are major components of GO Georgia. In addition, a fun-loving gopher mascot2 encourages people to “go for” a walk, a hike or a day in the park.
Online Support Program
The program's Website was designed as a primary tool to encourage Georgians to participate in the Get Outdoors Georgia program by allowing them to search by activities that appeal to them. This functionality, which incorporates Google MapsGoogle Maps
Google Maps is a web mapping service application and technology provided by Google, free , that powers many map-based services, including the Google Maps website, Google Ride Finder, Google Transit, and maps embedded on third-party websites via the Google Maps API...
, works in tandem with landing pages that target activity clusters with specific passions, such as camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
, hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, mountain biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
, family vacation ideas and more. The result is effectively increasing the likelihood that a visit to the site will lead to a visit to the park and ultimately to a positive impact on health.
The Epidemic of Obesity
In 2000, the Office of the Surgeon GeneralSurgeon General of the United States
The Surgeon General of the United States is the operational head of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and thus the leading spokesperson on matters of public health in the federal government...
reported that obesity costs the nation approximately 117 billion dollars a year. 61% of adults in the United States were overweight or obese (body mass index greater than 25). 300,000 deaths each year in the United States are attributed to obesity.
The State of Georgia ranks 14th in adult obesity and 12th in the number of overweight children.
GA SCORP Survey Data
Separate surveys conducted in January 2007 and 20084 as part of Georgia’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan identified both problems and opportunities.- Over 1.8 million Georgians are severely overweight. This costs Georgia $2.1 billion in medical costs each year.
- Children are most at risk, with structured lives, fewer opportunities to play outdoors and less physical activity.
- As outdoor recreation opportunities shrink, the waistlines of Georgia’s children continue to expand.
- Georgians overwhelmingly support public outdoor recreation in the state of Georgia with 88% indicating that they think public funds should be spent on creating outdoor recreation opportunities in Georgia.
See also
- GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
- Childhood ObesityChildhood obesityChildhood obesity is a condition where excess body fat negatively affects a child's health or wellbeing. As methods to determine body fat directly are difficult, the diagnosis of obesity is often based on BMI. Due to the rising prevalence of obesity in children and its many adverse health effects...
- Sonny PerdueSonny PerdueGeorge Ervin "Sonny" Perdue III, was the 81st Governor of Georgia. Upon his inauguration in January 2003, he became the first Republican governor of Georgia since Benjamin F. Conley served during Reconstruction in the 1870s....