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
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