(Radio Iowa) — A new Iowa initiative was launched Monday on Earth Day at a nature center in Sioux City. The “99 Counties, 99 Parks” initiative is designed to show off the wide array of recreational activities the state has to offer within its county parks. The Director of Iowa’s Healthiest State Initiative, Jamie Haberl, says getting outdoors to go hiking or exploring in our parks is a great way to get some exercise. “We are so fortunate to have so many parks that can give us that ability to get outdoors, reduce our stress and just to have more physical activity,” Haberl says. “We don’t always have to go to a gym or fitness facility, we can really just get outside, get into nature, get our hands dirty and really enjoy the great resources that exist right here in our back yard.”

Iowa parks annually welcome about 24 million visitors, and State Economic Development Director Debi Durham says those visiting the parks give a boost to Iowa’s economy: “In Iowa, tourism is actually very big business. It’s an eight-point-five BILLION dollar industry sector for our state — which equates to about 500 million dollars in tax revenue, so it’s very important,” according to Durham.

You may download the “Family Fun Guide” from the “99 Counties, 99 Parks” website to see what the parks have to offer. Many of the parks also include “selfie stands” where visitors can take photos and share their experiences on social media using: #ThisIsIowa or #99parks.