Outdoor Recreation Roundtable

It’s been 100 days since the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act. Now it’s the U.S. Senate’s turn to make history and pass this bipartisan legislation to increase access and transform outdoor recreation opportunities across the country for all Americans.

RURAL AMERICA FIELD TOUR: Last week's trip to Monte Vista, Colorado, showcased a proud community of dedicated and selfless partners working hard to guarantee a bright future through outdoor recreation. Read Chris Perkins' recap of the tour, supported by The VF Foundation, below:

ORR Vice President of Programs Chris Perkins has been named Adjunct Faculty for the University of Denver Leadership in the Outdoor Recreation Industry (LORI) Program, where he will teach a course starting next week titled, "Public Policy Challenges for the Outdoor Industry." Perkins, who previously worked in environmental education at Teton Science Schools and was named Teaching Fellow of the Year at Yale School of the Environment, will bring his educational talents to DU to explore the myriad public policies that affect the outdoor industry, including land use, environmental, forestry, and other public policies that define the environment in which the industry operates. The LORI program, developed in partnership with The VF Foundation, equips students with real-world business and leadership skills specific to the $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation economy. Chris Castilian

🌊 To solve the outdoor workforce challenges of tomorrow, we need young people to experience recreation careers today. Rhode Island and Massachusetts are leading the way with new programs to connect youth to careers in the $1.1 trillion recreation economy. Rhode Island ($1.7B rec economy): The Rhode Island Marine Trades Association and FabNewport have been awarded the Career Exploration Equity Grant from Rhode Island Governor's Workforce Board to expand career exploration and occupational articulation in marine trades, outdoor recreation and the greater Ocean Economy. Wendy Mackie Massachusetts ($11.8B rec economy): The Massachusetts Marine Trades Association just released a new report highlighting the 17 educational partner schools across the state to help unlock new entry points to the marine workforce. Randall M. Lyons, CMM

NEW: Nevada's 54,000-strong outdoor recreation workforce just got a big boost thanks to the team at the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation. In partnership with University of Nevada, Reno, two new programs have been created to address the increasing demand for skilled professionals in outdoor recreation across the Silver State. The new programs include a specialization in Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Management and a minor in Outdoor Adventure and Leadership (ODAL). Nevada's outdoor recreation economy generated $6.1 billion (2.7% of GDP) in 2022. Confluence of States Elisabeth Swanson Johnson

Amy Allison has been named the Director of the North Carolina Outdoor Economy Office! Allison, who held a similar role in the office's former structure in a different agency, now returns to lead the Tar Heel State's $14.6 billion outdoor recreation economy after spending two years as a Director at WNC: MADE X MTNS. The North Carolina Outdoor Economy Office, housed within the Rural Development Division of the North Carolina Department of Commerce, will showcase Allison's proven strengths in business development, partnership engagement, and stakeholder outreach. Please join us in congratulating Amy on her new role! Confluence of States

Every governor shown here represents a state with an Office of Outdoor Recreation, demonstrating the unifying and bipartisan appeal of the outdoor recreation economy. Since 2013, 22 states have created these offices to play a vital role in attracting and retaining talent, supporting urban and rural economies, improving public health, and ensuring a conservation legacy. ORR and our members from across the $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation economy are working to create offices of outdoor recreation in every state across the country and have a wide variety of resources and partnerships to support your state's efforts!

It's a great day to be an outdoor business in Maine: Governor Janet Mills just announced a $100,000 grant to ORR Member Maine Outdoor Brands to launch the Maine Outdoor Brand Marketing Collaborative. “This grant is a tremendous boost for Maine Outdoor Brands and our outdoor recreation economy,” said Jenny Kordick, Executive Director of Maine Outdoor Brands. “With this funding, we can expand our efforts to promote Maine’s outdoor industry, create new sales channels, and provide critical support to emerging outdoor businesses in our state in the post-pandemic outdoor market.” L.L.Bean The Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation

We're hitting the road for Rural America! ORR Vice President of Programs Chris Perkins is headed into the field next week to profile the best of the best of rural communities investing in outdoor recreation as an economic development strategy. Perkins will visit Monte Vista, CO with the support of The VF Foundation and meet with stakeholders from around the community to learn more about their efforts and what's replicable nationwide.

At a time when millions more Americans are flocking to the great outdoors, we need more federal support and investment in our recreation infrastructure, not less. “Cuts proposed by the House Appropriations Committee to spending on our public lands and waters are a step in the wrong direction, undermining the very infrastructure and resources that support our nation’s vibrant $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation economy," said ORR President Jessica (Wahl) Turner. "In light of ORR’s recent report findings that show outdoor recreation contributes nearly 14 times more to the U.S. economy than what it gets from federal spending, these cuts are misguided and deeply disappointing."