State Health Dept & State Parks: Natural Partners

1. State Health Dept & State Parks:Natural Partners

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Presentation Thursday 11 February 2010 Eric VanDeGenachte

3. Why write a SCORP? • Georgia Code 12-3-1 requires DNR to: • Appraise recreational needs • Assist local governments in recreational planning • Promote recreation institutes and conferences • Help establish and promote recreation standards • Submit report to Governor and notify Legislature • Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF): • SCORP is required to maintain eligibility for federal funds from the LWCF • SCORP must be updated every five years; current plan expires 2007 • LWCF grants help state & local governments acquire, redevelop and rehabilitate outdoor recreation facilities and resources

4. What is SCORP? Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan

5. SCORP Team • Georgia DNR contracted with the University of Georgia to develop SCORP: • Fanning Institute (project management) • Carl Vinson Institute (surveys) • Institute of Ecology (Inventory / GIS mapping) • Warnell School of Forestry, Natural Resources & Tourism (trends analysis / benchmarking) • Funding for SCORP was provided by: • Georgia DNR - PRHSD & WRD Divisions • Georgia Recreation & Park Association • Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites • Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)

6. SCORP Partners • Georgia DNR - PRHSD, WRD, CRD divisions • Georgia Dept. of Community Affairs • Georgia Dept. of Econ. Development/Tourism • Georgia Dept. of Human Resources (Public Health) • University of Georgia • Association County Commissioners of Georgia • Georgia Municipal Association • Georgia Conservancy • Georgia Wildlife Federation • Georgia Recreation & Park Association • Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites • And more…

7. Vision • Healthier, more sustainable Georgia • Abundant, protected natural resources • Responsive, accessible recreation opportunities • Thriving and sustainable communities

8. Table of Contents

10. Data-Driven Decision Making • Comprehensive inventory of local, state & federal outdoor recreation and conservation resources • Trends and benchmarks analysis • Statistically valid public opinion survey covering state regions and demographics

11. Grass Roots Public Involvement • Seven town hall meetings across the state • Online website comment • Multiple focus and stakeholder groups • Multiple speaking engagements

12. Stakeholder & Focus Groups Multiple Focus Groups... 3 simple questions resulted in great depth of understanding

13. DHR: Nutrition & Physical Activity Plan

15. Case Studies

16. Trends Affecting Outdoor Recreation • Rapid urbanization & loss of greenspace • Significant demographic transitions • Obesity epidemic & declining public health • Diminished conservation ethic • Local communities want economic growth • Growing support for outdoor recreation

17. Georgia’s Explosive Growth

18. Identified Action Items for Partners

19. Identified Action Items for Partners

20. A direct outcome of SCORP:

21. Objectives of GOGa • Educate & inspire Georgians to“Get Out. Get Dirty. Get Fit.” • Resonate with individuals, kids & families • Actively engage health & human services providers to partner with park & recreation agencies • Work on both state & local levels

23. State Parks Recreation “Challenge”Clubs 23

24. www.GetOutdoorsGeorgia.org 24 24

25. Outdoor Activity Calorie Counter Guide

26. Partnering with the Georgia State Library System to make ParkPasses available at every public library in the State.

27. A Good Fit Working to make Georgia healthier, more fit! Your Park System Here?

28. Healthy Georgia & National Model • A continuing PRHSD initiative to foster an interest in health awareness, fitness and outdoor recreation • Provides structured recreation activities and events in a safe, natural environment, to facilitate fitness and healthy living in Georgia's great outdoors, especially at state parks • Launched last June to coincide with National Great Outdoors Month and a Governor's proclamation for ”Georgia Great Outdoors Month”

29. National Partnership Declaration National Association of State Park Directors National Park Service National Recreation and Park Association The Crisis: Physical inactivity and lack of contact with nature among our youth and families are becoming increasingly recognized as contributing to a national health crisis that can manifest itself in child obesity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The Goal: To see this nation's children and their families again fully participate in outdoor recreation activities and rediscovering their natural and cultural heritage while enhancing their fitness and health.

30. Outdoor Recreation Resource Group Report - • Presented to Congress July 2009 • "Both children and adults are struggling with obesity & health related problems....must come together now • Outdoor Recreation, Health and Wellness - Understanding and Enhancing the Relationship • Geoffery Godfrey, May 2009 • Need for consistent metrics & standard protocols • How to manage outdoor recreation for healthy outcomes? • Health Impact Project- • Demonstration projects that demonstrate effectiveness of Health Impact Assessments (HIA) and promote their incorporation into local, state, tribal and federal decision-making.

31. ACHIEVE Healthy Communities Grant - (CDC) 3-year grant program that empowers local communities with funding, tools and strategies to implement & sustain policies, systems and environmental changes in chronic disease prevention & health promotion. • U.S. Domestic Policy Council "Healthy Kid's Initiative • Working group to develop a comprehensive strategy for the treatment & prevention of the health issues confronting America's children • Childhood Obesity Demonstration Project • Community-based health initiatives • President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports

32. Thank you! georgiastateparks.org/scorp Eric VanDeGenachte Georgia State Parks, Recreation & Historic Sites Division 404.323.7333 eric.vandegenachte@dnr.state.ga.us

33. GA Park & Historic Site System 45 state parks 3 state historic parks 15 state historic sites 84,000 acres/ 3,900 buildings 9 golf courses 375 cottages 55 group shelters 41 campgrounds/2,400+ sites 14 group camps/lodges 8 lodges/conference centers 530 + miles of hiking, biking, nature, canoeing/kayaking & equestrian trails