PASCAGOULA -- In the role as outdoor recreation specialist for the city of Pascagoula, Kristi Ducote has her hands full.
With the spring comes a plethora of outdoor activities. Bike rides, kayak trips, a family campout, the Pascagoula River Festival -- they're just some of the events planned by the recreation department staff and Ducote, on the job just over a year.
In that time, the city has moved forward with its outdoor recreation program, outlined in 2012 by a master plan.
"There's no one else I know that focuses on outdoor recreation," said Darcie Crew, director of the city's recreation department. "One of the things we came to realize when going through the master plan ... we were not focusing on or taking advantage of our natural resources."
Dukote, a native of Marengo County, Ala., has lived in Pascagoula for 15 years. She studied outdoor recreation at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, then received her bachelor's degree in recreation administration from the University of South Alabama in Mobile.
She recently received her Level 2 certification in coastal kayaking from the American Canoe Association, which has been around since 1880. And she has a certification in wilderness first aid.
A City Council work session is set at 5 p.m. todayto discuss funding priorities for the recreation department master plan.
City Manager Joe Huffman said the outdoor specialist position and the volume of scheduled activities reflect the city administration's focus.
"There's obviously an interest at the governing board level to support nature tourism and what our parks department does," Huffman said.
There's a reason for that interest. Nearly 50 percent of all Americans participated in outdoor recreation in 2012, spending $646 billion a year, according to a 2013 Outdoor Industry Association report.
In Pascagoula, residents are responding. More than 100 people turned out last March for a Family Campout, what Crew calls a "good, family-friendly event.
"It's a good introduction for people who have never been camping and it's an inexpensive event," she said.
Food is included, as are a bonfire, movie and other activities.
Ducote said it offers camping in a family's backyard. "Some have small children," she said. "There's the security aspect of it."
Driving economic force
Nature tourism is the new driving economic force, officials said, and Pascagoula plans to use its natural resources to draw visitors.
"When a nature tourist comes to your area, they stay in your area," Crew said. "They are repeat visitors."
Whether attracted by kayaking, birding or adventure races, these visitors are a "laid-back crowd. They go at their own pace. And they come back if they really like it," Crew said.
And they spend money. Birders contribute about $85 billion annually to the economy, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Americans spend $81 billion each year on bicycling gear and trips, according to the Outdoor Industry Association. And more people participate in paddling sports than play soccer.
"We have such a diverse habitat in a small area," Crew said. "There is really a lot for people to explore."
Getting people outside
Organizers weren't sure what the turnout would be when they kicked off the outdoor rec program with a twilight kayak paddle. About 50 people showed up.
"People were so excited. There was such enthusiasm," Crew said. "People wanted to do more of that kind of activity."
Groups have met up since and now plan paddles on a regular basis.
A group of cyclists bike the second Saturday of each month, meeting at Beach Park at 8 a.m. to make a 10-mile route on the city's bike trail.
Food and social interaction are always a part of city events, Ducote said.
"People are more apt to stay involved -- there's more participating with a social aspect," Ducote said. "And you get to meet some people who are experienced."
Arbor Day kicks events off with a tree giveaway Feb. 14; the next family campout is set at Beach Park on March 22; Pascagoula River Festival is April 5 at the Scranton Nature Center; and Paddlepalooza will be in June.
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