59 75 575 985 85 285 20 675 20 75 85 475 185 75 F. George 75 STATE PARK STATE HISTORIC SITE LODGE PARK GOLF COURSE PARK 520 16 95 Get Out. Get Dirty. Get Fit. www.GetOutdoorsGeorgia.org Reservations: www.GeorgiaStateParks.org or 800-864-7275 Reservations are accepted up to 11 months in advance. This publication is printed on paper containing 100% post consumer waste recycled content which is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council to be environmentally safe. 04/2008 - 10k/2598 Go For a Hike. Go For a Ride. Go For a Day in a Georgia State Park. It's a perfect time to start getting healthy and fit. Being active outdoors does wonders for your physical, mental and spiritual health. Grab your walking shoes, fishing pole, bicycle, frisbee, binoculars, canoe, swimsuit or whatever else you might need to enjoy some time outside in Georgia's great outdoors. Why? Because many families and children are less connected to the natural world than at any other time in history. Our lives are increasingly structured and are often more focused on screen spaces than green places. Georgians' increasingly sedentary lifestyles are resulting in alarming health declines and a diminishing conservation ethic. We must address the sustainability of our human resources, especially our children, while ensuring the sustainability of our natural resources. GO Georgia Events Get Outdoors Georgia (GO Georgia) focuses on family-friendly, nature-based, healthy outdoor recreation throughout the state. So, "Get Out, Get Dirty and Get Fit" in the safety and scenery of Georgia's exceptional state parks. Our fun, fitness-loving gopher character challenges you to "go for" a hike, a ride or a day in the park and to participate in planned community and statewide promotional and recreational activities. Check the website at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org or www.GetOutdoorsGeorgia.org for more information and a listing of events. Save Green with an Annual ParkPass and Friends of Georgia State Parks Membership Frequent park visitors can save money with a $30 Annual ParkPass that exempts you from paying the daily parking fee. To purchase an Annual ParkPass visit any state park office or call 770-389-7401. History buffs can save money with the purchase of a Historic Site Annual Pass. This pass gives unlimited admission to all of Georgia's 18 state historic sites. Passes may be bought only at a historic site and are $35 per family (limit 6 people), $20 per adult and $15 per youth (17 and younger). Or, join the Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites and get a FREE Annual ParkPass and a FREE individual Historic Site Annual Pass plus many additional benefits. Join online at www.friendsofgastateparks.org or call 770-975-7533 ext. 6 or 1-888-948-2092 ext. 6. Fishing Tackle Loaner Program A number of parks have fishing equipment for no charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Anyone interested in fishing can check out a pole, and then return the equipment when they are finished. All you need to bring is bait. Give it a try and learn to fish. Check out this program at the following parks: A. H. Stephens, Amicalola Falls, Bobby Brown, Crooked River, Elijah Clark, F. D. Roosevelt, Fort McAllister, Fort Mountain, George T. Bagby, Hamburg, Hart, Indian Springs, Kolomoki Mounds, Laura S. Walker, Little Ocmulgee, Magnolia Springs, Mistletoe, Moccasin Creek, Red Top Mountain, Richard B. Russell, Seminole, Tallulah Gorge, Tugaloo, Unicoi, and Victoria Bryant. Junior Ranger Program A new GO Georgia badge has been added to our successful Junior Ranger Program. It targets children ages 7 to 14 with two levels of activity. From a list of 16 different badge requirements, children ages 7 to 10 must complete 5 activities while the older group from age 11 to 14 must complete 8. Fun ideas such as setting up a campsite, paying close attention to a sunrise or sunset, taking outdoor photography, or participating in the Canyon Climbers or Muddy Spokes clubs are among the list of badge requirements. Find the details on our web site. Canyon Climbers Club Georgia's Canyon Climbers Club is reserved for nature-lovers who have scaled to the top of Amicalola Falls, explored the depths of Providence Canyon, braved the swinging bridge in Tallulah Gorge and faced the daunting staircase in Cloudland Canyon. A healthy dose of enthusiasm and sturdy hiking boots are all that's needed. Once you have visited all four parks and had your card punched, you can redeem it for a t-shirt and bragging rights. No time limit applies, so take as long as you need to visit all four parks. Muddy Spokes Club Break out your bicycle and helmet and get out on the trails. Our Muddy Spokes Club challenges mountain bikers and casual cyclists to tackle 11 state parks and 68 miles of trails. Some of the trails are fairly easy, some are moderate and some are strenuous and will give you a challenge. Be sure you are in good health, wear safety gear and take plenty of water along. By law, bicycle helmets are required for anyone under age 16 but it's a good idea for everyone to wear a helmet. Participating parks include Fort Mountain, Fort Yargo, Magnolia Springs, Mistletoe, Panola, Red Top Mountain, Richard B. Russell, Tallulah Gorge, Unicoi, Victoria Bryant, and Watson Mill Bridge. Once you complete all 11 and get your card punched at each Visitor Center, send in your card to get your bragging rights t-shirt. To join either club, stop in at any participating park or call (770) 389-7401. The cost is $10 for a membership card that is redeemable for your t-shirt upon completion. Library Loaner Program Starting in June 2008, public libraries in Georgia will have a current Annual ParkPass and an individual Historic Sites pass available for the public to check out and use for up to 5 days at any Georgia state park or historic site location. Check at your local library for more information. Environmental and Cultural Awareness Interpretive programs at our parks and historic sites help connect kids to nature and make history come alive. To make your park experience more rewarding and enriching, choose to participate in an educational program. Take a guided nature tour, learn how pioneers settled the region, tour one of our eco-friendly green buildings, learn about birding, or walk in the footsteps of a Civil War soldier. Our volunteers and staff work with visitors and students in the outdoors, during field trips and in the classroom to encourage interest in resource management and conservation efforts and to learn the history of our state. Going Green Suwannee River Visitor Center - Fargo, Ga. DNR is committed to environmental protection and the conservation of natural resources. This conservation ethic extends to the facilities we construct as well as the ones we maintain. Recreation and education opportunities are available at a variety of green buildings designed and constructed to minimize the impact on the environment. Five of our buildings have been certified under the U. S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system including one platinum LEED award. Our seven parks that have lodges are focused on energy and water conservation efforts, and have become"bronze level" partners with the Partnership for a Sustainable Georgia, managed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Check it out at www.p2ad.org.