From Government to Grassroots: Rural and

Natural Resource Tourism in Kentucky MICHAEL J. BRADLEY, Ph.D.

JAMIE WOOLERY, M.S.

Agenda Commonwealth of Kentucky

Natural Resource Tourism Efforts

Efforts are becoming more abundant to bring tourism to

Kentucky, a state rich in history and recreation

How students are connecting with resources and these

efforts

Open discussion

Welcome to Kentuck Kentucky is home to many fantastic outdoor and rural

based recreation opportunities. Spanning from the Land

Between the Lakes the west, to the Appalachian

Mountains in the East.

Beside well known recreation areas such as Red River

Gorge and Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky is

home to many rural adventures unforeseen by most

tourists and locals alike.

Efforts are becoming more abundant to bring tourism to

Kentucky, a state rich in history and recreation.

Kentucky, the home of…

Happy Birthday to you…. (1893)

Daniel Boone

Hatfield & McCoy Rivalry

Cheeseburgers (Louisville, 1934)

Bourbon, bluegrass music, and the Kentucky Derby

Presidents Abraham Lincoln & Jefferson Davis

Loretta Lynn, Diane Sawyer, The Judds

George Clooney, Johnny Depp, Hunter S. Thompson, & Jennifer Lawrence

can-tuck-ee

Kentucky Population: 4,413,457

10 of the 20 poorest counties in the United States (25 of poorest 100)

Natural resource extraction economy (coal, timber)

Rural counties facing difficulty rebounding from the sagging economy

Myriad of issues facing rural residents, close to natural resources

Government Tourism Efforts

Government efforts are starting to take shape and expand for tourism efforts in Kentucky. These

efforts range from Farms are Fun to Kentucky Trail Towns.

Also included is the national forests, and many nonprofits areas for outdoor recreation including

but not limited to Daniel Boone National Forest, Big South Fork National Recreation Area, Shaker

Village, Kentucky Artisan Center, and Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Mammoth Cave, Appalachian Trail, etc.

Mammoth Cave National Park preserves the cave system and a part of the

Green River valley and hilly country of south central Kentucky.

This is the world's longest known cave system, with more than 400 miles explored.

The portion of the Appalachian Mountains that stretches through northern

and eastern Kentucky is easily one of the most picturesque spots in the

United States. With these stunning mountain ranges as a backdrop, you’ll

find grand adventure in the Kentucky Appalachian region

Unbridled Kentucky Adventure

What makes Kentucky one of the best adventure vacation destinations in

America?

You can find any adventure you want here, from mountain biking to

hiking to rock climbing and whitewater rafting.

Hundreds of hiking trails and sites for camping in Kentucky. Thousands of

miles of rivers and more than 50 fishing and boating lakes (more coastline

than Florida).

White water rafting and canoeing expeditions. The longest cave system in

the world. Nearly 900,000 acres of national forests and 52 state parks just

waiting to be explore, plus so much more!

Farms are Fun Driving marketing force to provide supplemental income for working farm/ranch operations

Education component in every aspect of marketing and experience

Reconnect Kentuckians to agriculture - generations removed from agriculture.

Kids can get their hands dirty in a garden, ride a pony, interact with livestock, sensory

overload of new things in a safe, wholesome environment.

Kentucky Trail Towns Improve physical and economic health of Kentucky communities

Help communities become gateways to natural resources, serve as a

liaison between visitors and the numerous opportunities/resources

Kentucky State Parks

49 Parks

Resort Parks

Recreation Parks

Historical Sites

Celebrating 85th anniversary of Kentucky State Parks

No resident is further than 50 miles from a state park.

Kentucky State Parks Foundation

Reconnect Kentuckians with state parks

Provide support for state parks

Fund raising for special projects/programs

Professional development for staff/managers

Organization support/development for friends groups

Grassroots Tourism Efforts

Responsible travel to minimize the negative impact of our travel

Giving back to the communities, understanding the story behind the price we are paying, and knowing

the local people

People willing to take responsibility for the future their communities. Leadership is being shared.

Not waiting on policies and plans but just doing it!

Kentucky for Kentucky

Obsessed with the real Kentucky. Highlighting the complex

identity of the commonwealth.

Spreading the stories, tell tale of the people, places and

things that are unique to our heritage.

The mission is to engage and inform the world by promoting

Kentucky people, places, and products. And to Kick Ass for

the Commonwealth!

Diminishing the stereotypes is hard, the campaign Kentucky

for Kentucky was tasked with rebranding Kentucky.

Explore Kentucky

Explore Kentucky is a effort to promote ecotourism in Kentucky

The team behind Explore Kentucky are called “professional wanders”

“To inspire growth and adventure within the state of Kentucky, your photos help tell a

story that we want to share.”

Light presence in traditional media, heavy in online social networks, primarily

Instagram and Twitter.

#explorekentucky

Roam Kentucky

Only a year old, this grassroots movement is certainly creating a impact across the commonwealth. Founded in March, 2014 the mission is simple:

“We are dedicated to featuring the Commonwealth's history, beauty, and future.” (Roam Kentucky, 2014)

Roam Kentucky’s sole purpose is to feature pictures from across the Bluegrass in an effort to help our followers see areas they may not have seen before and create an urge inside of them to visit the featured places.

By featuring these places, we are promoting tourism in the state of Kentucky which will help with the growth of previously unreached places as well as show the beauty of those places reached daily.

Marketing for Roam Kentucky occurs through major platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Estill Action Group

Striving to focus on the “bright spots” in a county that some may think is not adequate to outdoor recreation.

The vision of this group is to promote responsible use of our natural resources: the Kentucky River and it's tributary waters, potential hiking, biking, ATV & horseback trails in our hills and hollers, all while fostering a sense of land stewardship.

We believe supporting and investing in local businesses, local farms and local talent is the only way to create a sustainable future for our region.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it's the only thing that ever has.“

Case Study - Paintsville Tourism

Efforts over the last year have helped to brand Paintsville as a tourist

destination even more than before, with multiple partnerships

including EKU to become trail town certified and rebranding their

town, Paintsville has become increasingly popular with outdoor

enthusiasts (with the addition of the Dawkins Line Trail) as well as

music history connoisseurs.

Coined first and foremost as the homeplace of Loretta Lynn, Paintsville

has helped to shape the country music scenes. Highway 23 runs through

this historic town, creating a perfect location for the Highway 23

Country Music Museum.

Don’t be fooled, local artist still fill this area with that down home

bluegrass and country sound, every Thursday night at Front Porch

Pickin’. Most recently to come from these parts would be Sundy Best.

Engaging Future Professionals

Limits of Acceptable Change in Daniel Boone NF

Community Interpretive Plans

Student Driving Media for Park Visitation

National Visit A Park Day

Student Park Videos

State Park Ambassadors

Destination Highlight Articles

Center for Appalachian Regional Engagement and Stewardship

From Government to Grassroots: Rural and Natural Resource Tourism in Kentucky

Thank You

MICHAEL J. BRADLEY, Ph.D.

JAMIE WOOLERY, M.S.

Engaging Future Professionals

Limits of Acceptable Change in Daniel Boone NF

Community Interpretive Plans

Student Driving Media for Park Visitation

National Visit A Park Day

Student Park Videos

State Park Ambassadors

Destination Highlight Articles

Center for Appalachian Regional Engagement and Stewardship