Your Land, Your Mobile App: Forest Service Announces Great Escapes Mobile App

Release Date: Oct 24, 2014

Montgomery, AL (October 24, 2014) --- Visitors enjoying Alabama’s national forests now have a variety of information at their fingertips.  The U.S. Forest Service announced today the initial phase of a newly created mobile device application  for outdoor enthusiasts interested in planning trips to Alabama’s four national forests – Bankhead, Talladega, Conecuh and Tuskegee.  Alabama “Great Escapes” mobile app is available for download at the google play store using http://bit.ly/greatescapes.

Alabama “Great Escapes” mobile app provides essential information using a blend of website and native app capabilities. Currently, users who download the app will have a GPS feature that gives them the closes national forest, a list of recreational activities and sites, alerts, national forest news, fees, opening dates, directions (on website) and contact information.  They can also share national forest memories with family and friends through Facebook and Twitter.

 The Forest Service is asking the public to provide feedback on additional features they would like to see in the “Great Escapes” mobile app. “We are building a mobile app with the goal of meeting the needs of those who enjoy spending time in national forests,” said Tammy Freeman Truett, public affairs staff officer for the National Forests in Alabama.  “We are happy to introduce the first phase of the mobile app that provides essential information; however, we need the public to download the app and help us decide its future as we implement new capabilities throughout the year.”  Mobile app comments should be emailed to pa_alabama@fs.fed.us.

The National Forests in Alabama is currently expanding its social mobility engagement.  The public can follow the National Forests in Alabama on Twitter at @NFinAlabama to learn Forest news and interesting facts. A share button for Twitter is included on the newly released “Great Escapes” mobile phone application.

Further expansion of application capabilities is planned and a version of the app for iOS users will be developed in coming weeks. The National Forests in Alabama expects to announce the opening of a Facebook page soon and the new mobile app includes a button for easy Facebook access. Visit the website at www.fs.usda.gov/alabama.

View the Great Escapes Publication.