Outdoor Recreation Roundtable

ORR's Rural Development Community Map continues to grow—now with over 160 communities nationwide that have shared their goals and needs related to outdoor recreation infrastructure and access. Does this sound like you or a community near you? Be sure to share your information via ORR's Rural Development portal: https://lnkd.in/gYN_nZTw (Photo: Madeleine R. Ahlborn)

EQUITABLE GRANT-MAKING WEBINAR: Join Together Outdoors and industry leaders from Outdoor Foundation, Winnebago Industries, and First Seed Sown on October 30th at 12:30 pm EST for an innovative conversation around reducing barriers to access to outdoor recreation through philanthropic giving. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gaD42Rrs 

The Confluence of States has announced their new leadership slate for 2024-25. Katherine Andrews from the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation enters her second term as Chair of the Confluence of States and will be joined by Nathan Reigner from the Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation as Co-Chair, where they will work hand in hand to promote the benefits of outdoor recreation across all the nation. 20 state offices of outdoor recreation are currently members of the Confluence, having committed to supporting the outdoor recreation economy on behalf of their respective governors. Member states are guided by five pillars of outdoor economy success: Conservation and Stewardship Education and Workforce Training Economic Development Public Health and Wellness Opportunity and Experience Please join us in congratulating Katherine and Nathan for their appointment to lead this bipartisan network of state leaders advancing the outdoor economy through a collective voice!

FIRST-EVER NATIONAL RECREATION LEADERSHIP FORUM ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT: A few weeks ago ORR brought together 70 national leaders in economic development, outdoor recreation, and conservation to identify shared priorities and core opportunities for rural communities looking to enhance their economies through outdoor recreation. The National Leadership Forum on Rural Development featured a keynote address from Baratunde Thurston, Emmy-nominated host, producer, writer, and public speaker, as well as high-profile discussions with Basil I. Gooden, Ph.D. Gooden, USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development, I Ling Matthews Thompson, CEO of the Foundation for America's Public Lands, Marc Berejka, Divisional Vice President at REI Co-op, Glenn Hughes, President at American Sportfishing Association, and many others to discuss the current state of rural America, key development opportunities to tap into, and lessons from effective communities from around the country to demonstrate how outdoor recreation and rural economies can thrive together. ORR thanks the Richard King Mellon Foundation for their support of this event as well the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship and the Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation for their partnership and collaboration.

👏 Outdoor recreation is a tool for thriving communities and economies around the country, and yesterday the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced $5 million to three organizations featured in ORR's rural development research to help them grow their outdoor recreation economies.   Thanks to the ARC POWER Grant, Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative, Mon Forest Towns Partnership, and JARI Growth Fund are receiving grant funding for outdoor business development, outdoor community connectivity, and outdoor entrepreneurship, among other outdoor recreation-focused outcomes.   Thank you to Gayle Manchin and the ARC team for these catalytic investments!

Today at the Outdoor Media Summit, the Confluence of States took another major step forward with the official signing of Minnesota (authorized by Governor Tim Walz) and North Dakota (authorized by Governor Doug Burgum) into the Confluence, a bipartisan network of 20 state leaders advancing the outdoor economy through a collective voice. The Outdoor Media Summit, which hosted the largest congregation of state directors of outdoor recreation to any one event in the history of the movement, also featured Maribel Castañeda, MPA as the closing keynote, who showcased the extraordinary national progress made by state directors of outdoor recreation in recent years, now representing 24 states nationwide. “The Confluence of States represents the very best of outdoor recreation—leaders representing governors from all political backgrounds, united behind the benefits of the $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation economy nationwide,” said Chris Perkins, Vice President of Programs at Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “We congratulate Minnesota and North Dakota on joining this bipartisan network and applaud Governors Walz and Burgum for their commitment to outdoor recreation and its proven value to their constituents and economies.” Congratulations to Minnesota (J. Randolph Briley) and North Dakota (Cody Schulz, Cole Garman)! (Photo: Jet Gatewood)

Rural Development through Recreation Spotlight: At this month's National Leadership Forum, ORR featured the Wind River Indigenous-based Economy Recompete Plan, which recently received a $36 million award from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to prioritize outdoor recreation among various pillars to leverage regional assets to build a thriving Native economy.   Alexandra Calloway-Nation, Economic Recovery Corps Fellow at the Wind River Development Fund, presented about the plan which includes opportunities for Native guides and outfitters for hunting, mountain biking, and guided photography. The plan also highlights an Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho cultural preservation center to help create private opportunities like an RV park and other recreational, consumer-facing businesses.   On Indigenous People's Day, we congratulate the team at the Wind River Development Fund for securing this historic award and we look forward to supporting this and other efforts through our rural economic development framework. (Photo: Mike Koshmrl/WyoFile)

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) shares a reminder below of the upcoming 10/16 application date for the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities program. The deadline has been extended to 11/13 for communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. ORR has supported rural communities in this program with over $125,000 in implementation funding and is grateful for the partnership of US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), USDA Forest Service, and Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) in helping illustrate the value of outdoor recreation to community and economic health.

🎤 🏔️ The new Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE) podcast episode is perfect for anyone wanting to dive deep into outdoor policy! ORR Vice President of Programs Chris Perkins joined AORE Executive Director Jeannette Stawski to kick off the second season of their outstanding Changemakers and Trailblazers Podcast. Perkins unpacked ORR's Recreation Funding in America Report and covered the challenges faced in maintaining outdoor infrastructure as well as the need to pass the EXPLORE Act and for action to ensure sustainable funding and access to outdoor spaces for all. Listen to the episode here: https://lnkd.in/grF8bt9M

👏 🎉 We're proudly celebrating the Arizona Office of Outdoor Recreation, the 24th such office nationwide. Arizona’s announcement today highlighted that the office at Arizona State Parks and Trails, led by Neil Large, will “position Arizona’s outdoor offerings as a top choice for residents, visitors and industry partners while ensuring businesses, land managers and other stakeholders are empowered and all the beautiful state assets are conserved for future generations to enjoy.” The office will continue to receive support and coordination from the Arizona Office of Tourism to further its efforts, guided by five pillars: Environmental Conservation & Stewardship; Education & Workforce Development; Economic Development; Exercise, Health & Wellness; and Equity, Access & Inclusion. “With today’s announcement, Arizona is demonstrating leadership in recognizing that Arizona’s $11.7 billion outdoor recreation economy provides economic, health, and community benefits for everyone in the Grand Canyon State,” said Jessica (Wahl) Turner, President of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. "On behalf of organizations across the $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation economy, we are so excited for all that is in store outdoors for Arizona’s residents, outdoor businesses, and visitors alike.” Confluence of States Lena Allen