The state of New Jersey is using a mobile application to encourage a new group of younger, tech-savvy users to visit state parks.

The app, which is available for iPhone and Android devices, is being powered by service organization Parks by Nature. New Jersey marks the fourteenth state to use ParksByNature technology to mobilize state parks, including North Carolina and Delaware.

?With the growth of the smartphone market, it is very important to offer consumers a mobile presence,? said Brett Melillo, cofounder/program coordinator at ParksByNature Network, New York.

?It helps connect with a new generation of mobile users as well as promote a healthy lifestyle by inspiring users to get out and enjoy these natural areas,? he said.

Great outdoors
The app was developed with the New Jersey State Parks and Forests organization and is part of a broader initiative from New Jersey?s governor Chris Christie to rejuvenate the state?s national parks with a round of funding.

Using the app, users can select a particular region or park and view weather conditions, contact information and view by specific activities.

Travelers can also make online reservations and view a list of park events.

The app uses the device?s GPS to let consumers view an interactive Consumers can also view an interactive GPS map and create a trail.

The Pocket Ranger app also has a social media tie-in share their adventures on social media sites, including Facebook and Twitter.

Users can search for nearby state parks using a mobile device's GPS

The app includes a photo feature that lets users snap pictures of the park and tag animal species, plant life and landscape views.

Travelers can also play games and activities that relate to the state parks.

Mobile state
The goal of New Jersey?s state park efforts is to bring a new crop of consumers to the state?s park, which makes mobile a natural medium to leverage.

By being part of a bigger, state-wide initiative, the Pocket Ranger app helps New Jersey reach new consumers who might not have known about the state?s park system.

Additionally, by being available on both Android and iPhone devices, the app is able to target the majority of smartphone users.

For park enthusiasts, the emphasis on safety and social media is helpful to keep friends and family in the loop about where they are in the park.

?Our target audience is geared towards all persons and families interested in spending time in a healthy and fun environment within minutes of their home,? Mr. Melillo said.

?With the mobile smartphone market reaching almost half of the mobile subscribers in the United States today, it makes sense to reach this target audience,? he said.

?As far as our goal is concerned, we strived to bring more visitors to state parks using the latest mobile technology to help engage and encourage outdoor activities for families and people of all ages.?

Final Take
Lauren Johnson is editorial assistant on Mobile Marketer, New York