PHOENIX – Arizona State Parks and Trails has partnered with Post Pigeon EDU and the Arizona Department of Education to bring outdoor information, education and curiosity to kids in grades K-8 who can explore and learn about public lands and state parks inside their classrooms.

The program is initially launching at three parks - Kartchner Caverns State Park in Benson, Oracle State Park in Oracle, and Red Rock State Park in Sedona. The parks will offer tailored curriculum designed to introduce kids to the attributes and opportunities that make each park unique and exciting. 

“Our goal is to inspire and educate the next generation, whether they are able to visit a park in person or just want to learn about the parks from the comfort of their classroom,” said Sarah Rose Webber, deputy director at Arizona State Parks and Trails. “It’s exciting to be able to offer this programming to the up-and-coming stewards of our incredible and diverse natural resources. While many children are introduced to the outdoors through their parents, this program will create a new connection for all students in the classroom to the outdoors. Our partnership with Post Pigeon will help us share our parks virtually and get kids excited about nature and all the cool things you can see and do in the parks.”

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne said, “This partnership has many benefits, including the opportunity for students to get a meaningful academic experience in various scientific fields involving plants, animals, geology and much more. It is also a pathway for students interested in a career related to outdoor activities since it is aligned to Arizona’s career education standards. I believe it will provide valuable experiences for Arizona students.”

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. Where possible, Post Pigeon then connects students to outdoor programs, at a free or reduced cost. 

This program fosters understanding and involvement in outdoor recreation and exploration of career paths in outdoor recreation. 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.

“We want to change the idea of where access to the outdoors begins,” said Valerie Quirk, co-founder of Post Pigeon EDU. “By meeting students where they already are, we can transform classrooms into hubs of exploration, discovery, and adventure for the next generation of park stewards.”

Educators will be able to sign up to participate in this free program at AZStateParks.com/Post-Pigeon, starting with Red Rock State Park. The next two parks will be added in the coming months, with additional park curriculum added throughout 2026.

Connecting people to the outdoors and history of Arizona to build a lifetime of memories.

For information about the more than 30 Arizona State Parks and Natural Areas, the Trails and Off-Highway Vehicle Programs and State Historic Preservation Office, call 1-877-MY-PARKS or visit AZStateParks.com.

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