Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s Post

Excited for where outdoor recreation and the industry, when realized, properly invested in, and utilized can take us as a nation - better societal health (physical, mental, and emotional), combat climate change, improve DEI, passionate and purposed workforce development and employment, sustainable economics and economy, increased cognitive abilities, improved communities and opportunities, vested environmental protection, the potential to maintain livable housing costs, and much more. We are fortunate to have Outdoor Recreation Roundtable leading much of this charge (but it is the work of so many, from government to business and vital non-profits and individuals). The last 10 years have been a data boom showing the many benefits and allowing us to start realizing the many parallel and tangential ones tied to recreation, public lands, infrastructure, etc. This data allows wise and bi-partisanship decision making for the mutual benefit of all. Where the OREC Industry, but particularly the vital underlying recreation infrastructure, can take us is limitless, but only if we continue to "move the needle" and push forward.

This was a fabulous webinar with so many specific examples of what to do, while also highlighting the challenges facing Nations who are working hard (often at their own expense) to protect the land and be able to continue traditional practices essential for physical, emotional, amd spiritual health and wellbeing. The non-Indigenous community has a lot of learning to do and significant privilege that needs to be acknowledged and left at home when recreating on unceded traditional lands (FYI - those practices also make conservation sense). My most profound take away was the explicit reminder that - “Indigenous Nations and rural communities of carry the burden of tourism”. Super Natural BC is not found in urban centres with lots of infrastructure but rather the rural and remote communities with limited resources and funding.

A budget reflects a community, state or nation's priorities--and, at this moment, budgets at all levels of government fail to adequately prioritize investments in the outdoor economy. An indicator of success in the national outdoor economy movement will be the level of public investment we see in outdoor recreation at all levels--and how we fund it. Will we continue to fund outdoor assets like "nice to have" quality of life assets or will we fund them like true economic investments that deliver returns in new jobs, more tax revenue and business creation?

The $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation economy and ORR members are showing up BIG for today's House Natural Resources Committee Hearing on the EXPLORE Act, a historic, transformative, and bipartisan package of legislation to support outdoor recreation across the United States. "This landmark package is truly comprehensive; it contains many bills that have existed for years, including the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act, Recreation Not Red Tape Act, and Outdoors for All Act, as well as newer concepts like the Biking on Long-Distance Trails Act, Gateway Community and Recreation Enhancement Act, Federal Interior Land Media Act, and more. If passed, EXPLORE would create more transparency and certainty for businesses operating on or near public lands and better experiences for nearly 165 million Americans who benefit from outdoor recreation activities each year." - ORR President Jessica (Wahl) Turner Sasha DiGiulian Luis Guillermo Benitez Katherine Andrews

In your opinion, what are the greatest needs for improving equitable access to outdoor recreation in our community? AND/OR What role could organizations play in addressing these needs? These are two questions being asked on a local survey by an outdoor recreation company here in #STL. I like the questions, but I always see people like me in the outdoors and I have resources to do almost any activity, so I don't think I am quite the right person to ask these questions to. What are your thoughts? #OutdoorRecreation #EquityOutdoors

Help inform the next Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan for Pennsylvania (SCORP) by taking a few minutes to take this public survey and then share with your networks and contacts. #outdoorrecreation #planning #conservation

Today the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) released a new report, "Recreation Funding in America: Current Results and Future Insights.” This first-of-its-kind comprehensive study conducted by Southwick Associates, Inc. on behalf of ORR aggregates and analyzes current federal funding streams for outdoor recreation and identifies potential future threats to these funding sources including changing energy demands, evolving participation, inflation, weather events and climate change, and stagnant appropriations trends. Stand-out stat: Outdoor recreation contributes 2.2% to U.S. GDP, yet only receives 0.16% of federal funding, a nearly 14x difference in scale. The report highlights the pressing need for innovative solutions to ensure sustainable funding for the $1.1 trillion recreation economy and the millions of Americans and communities who rely on it in the face of these potential funding gaps. https://lnkd.in/gRjG5cMy

The three Ps of inclusion in parks and recreation are - Philosophy, Policy, and Practice.

Public parks, recreation centers, indoor pools, and gyms are hubs of vitality, embodying a commitment to nurturing health, well-being, and community cohesion. As these establishments acknowledge the boundless advantages of harnessing natural light, they embark on a journey to elevate their offerings beyond the ordinary. The integration of daylighting principles doesn’t just illuminate interiors; it fosters a connection between indoor sanctuaries and the world outside. This synergy ushers in a new era of recreational experiences, where the boundaries between indoors and outdoors blur, and well-being takes center stage.

Take a moment to view the free CannonDesign webinar "Greatness is in the Details: Technical Tips that Drive Successful Recreation Facilities."