Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s Post

Book update: I'm really enjoying researching and writing my book Wild Profits: Exploring America's $1 Trillion Outdoor Economy (Island Press)! At the moment, I am writing portions of Chapter 2, which explores the ways we have quantified the outdoor economy over time and will feature some primary sources, like the 1962 report Outdoor Recreation for America, alongside insights from a joint interview with three leading economic thinkers who have creatively documented and quantified the outdoor recreation economy for specific sectors, regions, communities, and individual outdoor assets, like trails. More to come!

In January of 1962, the Outdoor Recreation Resource Review Commission made its final report the President on the state of outdoor recreation and its recommendations for the future. The report, entitled Outdoor Recreation for America, would provide the blueprint for the next several decades of recreational development and create a framework for discussing its societal benefits. Of the report's nearly 250 pages, only 6 are dedicated to a brief chapter on "Economics," in which the Commission noted, “The millions and millions of Americans seeking the outdoors are generating a huge demand for goods and services" amounting to an estimated $20 billion in consumer spending. They also argued, decades before it became widely understood, that outdoor recreation amenities are an important aspect of business attraction for economic developers. “In competition for some industries," they noted, "the relative amenities of community living, of which outdoor recreation is an important part, can sometimes be the deciding factor.” Despite these claims, the Commission seemed eager to argue that outdoor recreation's primary benefits were in mental and physical health, spiritual values and educational opportunities and, "These benefits are not to be defined on a cost accounting basis." This reluctance to meaningfully link outdoor recreation to economics would endure for much of the twenty-first century.

MINNESOTA - Outdoor recreation in Minnesota's unique natural spaces continues to grow as a driver of economic activity and jobs in the state. New federal data released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) shows the outdoor recreation economy generated $13.5 billion in value added to the state's economy in 2023, demonstrating the sector's continued strength and impact. "These numbers demonstrate that outdoor recreation remains a critical economic engine for Minnesota, even as our industry navigates various economic headwinds," said Lauren Bennett McGinty, Executive Director of Explore Minnesota. "From the Boundary Waters to the bluff country, our outdoor spaces enrich quality of life and provide sustainable economic opportunities across the state." "To build on this momentum and ensure long-term growth, we need ongoing federal and state investment in our outdoor recreation assets," added Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Sarah Strommen. "Minnesota has made it a priority to invest in outdoor recreation and infrastructure to create accessible opportunities for Minnesotans and visitors alike and we're seeing the benefits. We're committed to continuing that success." See the full press release on Explore Minnesota: https://lnkd.in/eZ-dFD_A

Outdoor recreation is a $1.2 TRILLION dollar economy across the country! The newest data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis also highlighted the economic impact of outdoor recreation in Virginia. The 2023 report indicates that outdoor recreation in Virginia generated $13.4 billion in value added, accounting for 1.9% of the state’s GDP. This thriving sector also supports 122,405 jobs, underscoring its crucial role in Virginia’s economic landscape. “Virginia’s growth in outdoor recreation is a tremendous boost to communities across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Mark Peake, Co-Chair of the Virginia Outdoor Recreation Caucus. “This sector not only enhances our local economies and creates jobs, but it also enriches our quality of life by connecting people with the natural beauty our state offers. Outdoor recreation is a vital investment in both the economic and physical health of our communities, making Virginia an even better place to live, work, and play.” “The growth in outdoor recreation in Virginia speaks to the impact this industry brings to our communities.” said Pete Eshelman, Director of Outdoor Branding for Roanoke Regional Partnership. “In Roanoke, our vibrant outdoor industry is a cornerstone of our holistic economic development and talent attraction strategy. By leveraging our unparalleled natural resources and investing in outdoor infrastructure, we create job opportunities, attract forward-thinking businesses, and draw a dynamic workforce that values quality of life. This synergy positions Roanoke as a place where innovation, adventure, and community thrive, connecting with those who seek a place where work and outdoor recreation coexist seamlessly.” See our full press release here: https://lnkd.in/gTr_HJ2t See the BEA data here: https://lnkd.in/gcUXm3Ct

Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account, U.S. and States, 2023 The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released statistics today measuring the outdoor recreation economy for the nation, all 50 states, and the District of Columbia. The new U.S. data show that the value added of the outdoor recreation economy accounted for 2.3 percent ($639.5 billion) of current-dollar gross domestic product (GDP) for the nation in 2023. At the state level, value added for outdoor recreation as a share of state GDP ranged from 6.3 percent in Hawaii to 1.6 percent in Delaware, Connecticut, and New York. The share was 0.8 percent in the District of Columbia. Full Text Published November 20, 2024 at 10:00AM https://ift.tt/X8cLIT5

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people visited state parks and trails in record numbers (In Virginia, ~1 million more people visited in 2020 than in 2019!), and many moved from cities to suburbs, small towns and rural places in search of more open spaces. But one question remains: Is investing in outdoor recreation a good strategy for a community’s long-term economic growth? In the latest issue of Econ Focus, the Richmond Fed’s quarterly economics magazine, Tim Sablik, an economics writer, discusses this recent, rapid growth in outdoor recreation as well as the possibility that some visitors could become long-term residents if the demand is sustainable. For more information, and mentions of popular Fifth District outdoor attractions (e.g., Virginia Capital Trail, New River Gorge), visit: https://bit.ly/4d8ropf #EconFocus #OutdoorRecreation #Tourism

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/gg9tHiQa

The House and Senate's passage of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 "acknowledges the significance of outdoor recreation as an economic driver for rural communities for the first time and explicitly authorizes outdoor recreation projects as an eligible use of EDA funding." #OutdoorRecreationEconomy #QualityOfLife #GetOutside

A Milestone for Outdoor Recreation in Arkansas Exciting news for Arkansas and rural America! The recent reauthorization of the U.S. Economic Development Administration opens new opportunities for outdoor recreation investments, directly benefiting communities like ours in The Natural State. For Bentonville and Arkansas, this means more resources to enhance trails, parks, and other recreation infrastructure—key elements of what makes our region special. Outdoor recreation isn’t just about adventure; it’s about boosting local economies, creating sustainable jobs, and improving the quality of life for residents. As a state that celebrates the outdoors, this funding aligns perfectly with Arkansas’ identity and our vision for a vibrant, thriving community. We’re excited to see how this will shape the future of Bentonville and beyond. Visit Bentonville sees value in the outdoor economy. #VisitBentonville #TheNaturalState #OutdoorRecreation #EconomicGrowth