Shannon Peterson at 800-228-4307, 402-471-3797,

or shannon.j.peterson@nebraska.gov

Tom Tabor at 800-228-4307, 402-471-7755

or tom.tabor@nebraska.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Greener Program Expands Across Nebraska

LINCOLN, NEB (April 22, 2011)—The Greener Byways of Nebraska program is expanding. As of today, the program will be known as Greener Nebraska and will be open to all businesses across the state.

Developed in 2010 with resources from a National Scenic Byways grant, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Travel and Tourism Division developed the initial program to help tourism-related businesses along Nebraska’s nine Scenic Byways become more environmentally friendly.

Going statewide enables the program to reach out to a larger audience. Not only will this open new opportunities for membership, but it will help to spread the word about all the wonderful things businesses are doing to protect the environment. Businesses that go green help keep Nebraska beautiful while attracting tourists who place strong importance on eco-friendly travel.

The program’s website—GreenerNebraska.org—includes a variety of information on ways your business can incorporate green practices and offers a free certification program. In addition to the website, media resources have been developed for you to promote your business’s certification and involvement in the program. You can find the materials at GreenerNebraska.org/mediakit.html.

Please consider becoming part of Greener Nebraska and begin reaping the rewards of your efforts to protect and preserve the environment.

Visit our new website, GreenerNebraska.org, to learn more about the new program, and feel free to share the site with other businesses that may be interested in participating.

“We want to encourage more Nebraskans and their families to take advantage of travel opportunities throughout the state,” Gov. Heineman said. “Visiting a site along one of our nine scenic byways or exploring our state’s history on a road trip will lend the traveler not just an off-the-beaten-path experience, but a summer full of memories.”

Travelers in Nebraska spent more than $3.7 billion in Nebraska on overnight trips in 2009, and annual spending in the state has increased by more than $2 billion since 1990. Nebraska’s tourism industry provides more than 42,000 jobs and is the third leading industry in the state.

The Nebraska Byways Passport program highlights the many destinations along the state’s scenic byways. Travelers are encouraged to pick up a souvenir passport at one of 27 participating locations along Nebraska’s nine scenic byways and collect stamps from each location visited for a chance to win a prize.

The Division of Travel and Tourism has also created a program encouraging young people to help plan their family vacation. The History Along Nebraska’s Byways program supplements the Nebraska history curriculum offered to fourth graders and will be distributed to 1,140 schools across the state. Designed with the help of educators, the materials include a Nebraska map with icons for various historical locations across the state, a Nebraska byway history video and classroom activities including crafts, worksheets, interactive games, and field trip activities. Subjects include state symbols, American Indians, map reading, explorers, pioneers, forts and military bases, among other topics. More information is available online at historywithtyler.com.

The division is also offering a new RVNebraska brochure with information to make the most of a trip along Nebraska’s scenic byways, including details on campgrounds along byway routes and top attractions.

Nebraska remains one of the most cost-effective destinations in the nation for travelers. AAA consistently names Nebraska one of the top five most affordable vacation destinations in the United States, with average daily vacation costs for a family of four well below the national average.

Richard Baier, Director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, said, “Nebraska offers travelers great value and great attractions. After a long winter, this summer is a good time to get out and see a new part of the state.”

Travelers can find interactive maps, road trip ideas, trip planners and more online at VisitNebraska.gov.