generating more than $50 million annually, Kentucky state parks provide a host of learning opportunities.

Kids can study wildlife and vegetation while exploring the world around them.

Our Laura Rogers takes us to a state park in Edmonson County, where lessons go beyond the textbook.

Charlotte Hagan has long been a fan of the great outdoors for the simple, pure mind, body and soul of being able to get out and enjoy a native of Brandenburg.

She was once a professional fisherman.

I started when I was 16, got my first fast boat when I was 17 years old.

That would later lead her here to Nolan Lake State Park.

We talk about fish.

We talk about the butterflies of the day.

As park manager, Hagan leads educational opportunities for families and school groups.

Kids want to come in and see the nature center.

We're all about it at the school.

The nature center is home to wildlife, including a rabbit turtles, sugar gliders, a ferret and birds.

There's also a butterfly house where today the Smokey Nature kids are releasing new butterflies and picking a few plans and herbs from the garden to feed the turtles.

But being able to come outside of the classroom and learn about what they've studied and put a hands on experience with it, that just makes it all well-rounded.

It all teaches sustainability, encouraging future generations to care for their environment.

If we don't take care of it, who's going to?

Who's going to take care of it after me?

With 5400 acres of lake, they also partner with area school districts for students to learn more about a life giving natural resource.

To learn about the water.

Learn about how to test water.

Learn about the ecosystems.

Nolan Lake State Park welcomes at least half a million visitors a year, eager to camp, hike and enjoy the lake and beach access.

We also talk about leave no trace being stewards of the land to leave it as we found it, or leave it in a better shape of which we found it as well.

Hagan says she's always looking to offer more activities that enhance the visitor experience.

We do regular programing, anything from bracelet making to paintings.

We do movie night.

We just started Escape Rooms, which is pretty neat.

That's another beauty of it is we just get to continuously think outside the box and bring that educational component to our activity.

She takes pride in her part and hopes more Kentuckians will visit to take it all in.

It's truly an honor to work at Kentucky's state Parks.

It's me wanting to leave a legacy.

It's me wanting somebody to want this position.

Later on, after I'm gone.

Perhaps it will be one of the children who visit today.

As Kentucky's day parks look ahead to the next 100 years for Kentucky Edition and Laura Rogers.

Thank you so much, Laura.

Join us this Friday, July 5th, for a special Kentucky edition as we celebrate Kentucky State Parks centennial birthday.

We'll profile a few of the programs and attractions that make them so special.

That's this Friday night at 630 Eastern, 530 Central right here on KCET