9/20/2022
PIERRE, S.D. – In partnership with the More Than Just Parks team, the South Dakota Department of Tourism announced the release of a short film focused on Buffalo Gap National Grassland. This release marks the final film of a three-part series highlighting South Dakota’s public lands
“Putting a focus on the incredible resource that Buffalo Gap National Grassland offers is an exciting opportunity for us,” said James Hagen, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism. “Buffalo Gap surrounds the incredibly popular Badlands National Park but has remained one of South Dakota’s most beautiful hidden gems.”
This Buffalo Gap National Grassland installment in the More Than Just Parks award-winning series was done not only to showcase the amazing recreational opportunities that exist in the grasslands but to underscore the importance of protecting South Dakota’s wild places.
“Sharing these captivating videos allows us to harness the power of visual storytelling, which is an incredibly important part of sharing South Dakota’s story with millions of potential visitors across the world,” said Hagen. “Our travelers and residents continue to share their awe and wonder after exploring South Dakota’s state and national parks and resources.”
The partnership with More Than Just Parks was established to highlight South Dakota’s public lands and provide visitors with new ways to explore these landscapes responsibly. The goal of the More Than Just Parks films is to share the beauty of America’s national parks and public lands, encourage people to enjoy these resources responsibly and influence the importance of land conservation.
"We’re so excited to be highlighting the natural beauty and amazing array of recreational opportunities waiting to be explored at Buffalo Gap National Grassland. This is our first film on a National Grassland, and we’re thrilled to finally be sharing these amazing recreation destinations with audiences around the globe,” said Jim Pattiz, co-founder of More Than Just Parks.
Throughout summer 2022, the two entities also released films focused on Wind Cave National Park and Badlands National Park. In 2019, the South Dakota Department of Tourism partnered with More Than Just Parks on a film devoted to the Black Hills National Forest.
The video can be found online at MoreThanJustParks.com or YouTube.com/SouthDakotaTourism.
The South Dakota Department of Tourism is comprised of Tourism and the South Dakota Arts Council. The Department is led by Secretary James D. Hagen.
-30-
Media Notes:
About More Than Just Parks
More Than Just Parks is a conservation-minded public lands organization with a mission to share the beauty of America’s public lands and encourage their protection. They do this by producing a series of critically acclaimed short films and forming partnerships with like-minded organizations. Their work has received international praise, being hailed by London’s Telegraph as “The Most Beautiful Videos of America You’ll Watch.”
Link to 2022 Buffalo Gap National Grassland video
Link to 2022 Badlands National Park video
Link to 2022 Wind Cave National Park video
Link to 2019 Black Hills National Forest video
CONTACT
Katlyn Svendsen, Global Media & Public Relations Director
South Dakota Department of Tourism
Phone: 605-773-3301
Email: [email protected]