Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites is launching Get Outdoors Georgia (GO Georgia), a new multiyear initiative to help every Georgian rediscover the great outdoors. GO Georgia kicks off this weekend with Free Day in the Parks on Saturday, June 14. Admission to all of Georgia's 63 state parks and historic sites will be free for every visitor. The new initiative invites visitors, especially families and children, to take part in the family-friendly, nature-based outdoor recreation in the surroundings of Georgia state parks and historic sites.

"It's time to reintroduce people to the great outdoors and Father's Day weekend is the perfect weekend to kick things off," said Sally Winchester, marketing and communications manager of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites (GSPHS). "The beginning of the summer is a natural time to get outside with friends and family to explore the amazing and diverse treasures within our state parks and historic sites." Free Day in the Parks will include special activities at most parks and is made possible by support from The Coco-Cola Company.

Governor Sonny Perdue announced the GO Georgia program on Monday and declared by proclamation that June is "Georgia Great Outdoors Month." Governor Perdue noted that almost every Georgia resident lives within 50 miles, or less than an hour's drive, from at least one of the state's 63 state parks and historic sites.

GO Georgia is the result of the state's five-year research and planning effort, the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. The new initiative, supported by the Friends of Georgia State Parks and a full marketing campaign, includes several elements: special events and activities throughout the state park system; a new website, www. GetOutDoorsGeorgia.org; the introduction of a Library Loan ParkPass Program to make admission to state parks and historic sites accessible through every local public library; and the introduction of the Get Outdoors Georgia Gopher mascot.

To help fund and support the initiative and create a healthier state, GSPHS is working with friends groups around the state and with corporate sponsors. Recently, Google Inc. signed on as a founding sponsor and will provide key support for additional elements of the program including a YouTube channel dedicated to GO Georgia, an interactive website program with the Gopher, Google Map application, and an educational resource bank for educators and parents.

A division of the Department of Natural Resources, GSPHS preserves and protects the state's diverse environment and rich history. This past fall, Georgia's state park system was honored as one of the top three state park systems in the country by the National Recreation and Park Association. "Every element of the park system, whether its park management, conservation education, event programming, camping, lodges, or even of golf courses, is designed to create an amazing and memorable outdoor experience," said Winchester. "Our park rangers manage more than 84,000 acres of public land and one of the most ecologically diverse state parks systems in the country."

The 63 sites include 45 state parks, three state historic parks and 15 historic sites, stretching from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Colonial Coast. Together, the parks and sites offer a variety of geography and history, including mountains, canyons, forests, fields, marshes, waterfalls, lakes, swamps, rivers, battlefields,historic homes and Native American settlements.

For more information call 1-800-864-7275 or visit www. GetOutDoorsGeorgia.org.