PHOENIX – Arizona State Parks and Trails and Post Pigeon EDU have added two new parks to the free curriculum designed to bring outdoor information, education and curiosity to Arizona kids in grades K-8 who can explore and learn about public lands and state parks inside their classrooms.

The program is now available at three parks - Kartchner Caverns State Park in Benson, Oracle State Park in Oracle, and Red Rock State Park in Sedona. While Red Rock State Park has been online since April, Kartchner Caverns and Oracle will now also offer tailored curriculum designed to introduce kids to the attributes and opportunities that make those parks unique, just in time for the fall semester.

“We are so excited to share the magic of these two incredible parks with students across Arizona," said Valerie Quirk, co-founder of Post Pigeon EDU. "Every student in Arizona, no matter where they live, should have the opportunity to discover the unbelievable natural gifts this state has to offer. We can’t wait to watch this program continue to grow, and will have more parks available for classrooms to connect with soon!”

Through the free educational curriculum, students are introduced to Arizona State Parks and Trails and the importance of environmental stewardship, in addition to learning about the flora, fauna, history, and geology of the parks. Educators then engage students’ curiosity through inquiry-centered activities, and Arizona State Parks and Trails rangers answer student questions in the form of personalized, asynchronous video messages. After connecting with a ranger, students are then asked to investigate how they can become environmental stewards and advocates for the green spaces in their own community. Plus, every student and educator who goes through the program will receive a free pass to visit a state park of their choice.

Students will be introduced to a variety of roles that help keep state parks running, in alignment with Arizona’s Early Career and Technical Education (eCTE) K-8 standards. The curriculum introduces students to real-world career pathways in public land management, conservation, and recreation, helping the next generation of Arizonans envision their future in the workforce.

Educators will be able to sign up to participate in this free program at AZStateParks.com/Post-Pigeon.

About Arizona State Parks and Trails

Arizona State Parks and Trails serves the communities of Arizona through stewardship, partnerships, and conservation, and acts as an economic driver for the state. Its mission is to connect people with the outdoors and history of Arizona to build a lifetime of memories. The agency manages and protects more than 30 parks and natural areas and oversees the statewide trails program, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and the Arizona Family Campout and statewide Off-Highway Vehicle programs. The agency administers more than five outdoor-related and historic preservation grant programs and manages statewide outdoor recreation planning. For more information, visit AZStateParks.com.

PRESS CONTACT: Michelle Thompson at (480) 589-8877 - Email: pio@azstateparks.gov