We’re on a mission to expand outdoor accessibility, build environmental literacy, and improve quality of life for folks in Kentucky. Are you, too? We collaborate with organizations working toward these goals to amplify our collective impact.
OUR PROJECTS
Friends of Cherokee State Historical Park Technical Assistance
In My Backyard Red River Gorge Festival
Drake’s Creek Watershed Festival
Camp Lyric Project Adventure Sessions
In the Press
How
Can I Support Nature?
Gerry Seavo James traces his path in founding #ExploreKentucky making a conscious choice to avoid “chasing clout” and focusing on causes, projects and initiatives that promote environmentalism, outdoor recreation & preservation of natural resources.
BLM "paddle-out" event
Organizers said the event is meant to “honor those who have lost their lives & make a statement against systemic racism, disenfranchisement and intimidation.” Throughout the event, James places specific emphasis on how systemic racism plays a role in “limiting black & other [persons of color’s] participation in outdoor sports & recreation.”
Ky. man trying to get more minority participation in outdoor recreation
“There’s not that heritage or legacy when we go to these places because we were not allowed to go. You gotta think we could only go to one State Park. We are blocked from different trail systems. A lot of black folk live in urban populations and, so, black folk that live in these urban populations have systematically been disenfranchised by a place like this.”
Strange Fruit: “You Can’t Swim!” Paddle Boarding While Black
If you’re a person of color, especially a black person, data show you’re less likely to participate in traditional outdoor activities. NPR’s Code Switch talked about it recently on their podcast, noting the National Parks Service’s statistic that around 80% of its visitors, volunteers and staff last year were white.
30 Under 30
Blue Ridge Outdoors spoke with 30 people from across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, 30 years and younger, who are driving the next generation of outdoor leaders. They are athletes, entrepreneurs, activists, and weekend warriors.
New kayak and canoe trail in heart of Glasgow trail open to public
You go on a blue way trail and there’s signs that tells you mile-markers, hazards, a little bit of interpretative information about the stream you’re paddling so it’s open and accessible to everyone and it also has dedicated put-in and take-out’s.”
#ExploreKentucky hopes to get you active
Given the choice between hanging out at a bar on the weekend or exploring a forest, Gerry James chooses the outdoors every time. The founder of #ExploreKentucky says he started what he refers to as an "outdoor movement" after moving here to go to college. His goal is to encourage people to discover and enjoy the natural beauty of Kentucky.
Waterman Series splashes into Louisville with paddlesport race
"All year we've been traveling across the state putting on races from Appalachia to northern Kentucky and western Kentucky, and finally it's hit Louisville."
The Great Electric Vehicle Road Trip
The trip convinced James that an EV is a great option for many families. “In a large number of garages and driveways in America, there are two family vehicles,” he says. “In my opinion, at least one should be an EV, which can help cut down one’s carbon footprint and help save money.”
Our Team
We are a Black-owned and -led social enterprise dedicated to inspiring folks in Kentucky to explore the outdoors and preserve the natural resources of our 120 counties.
Gerry Seavo James
Founder And Principal
Gerry started Explore Kentucky in 2013 in his college dorm with an Instagram account and #ExploreKentucky hashtag. A storyteller, Gerry began sharing stories about the landscapes and people he met in his travels across rural Kentucky. Through his work, Explore Kentucky has grown to provide information, outdoor recreation planning services, events, and inspiration empowering more people to explore and preserve the natural resources of the Commonwealth’s 120 counties
Amanda Strunk
Event Coordinator & Outdoor Educator