Outdoor Recreation Roundtable

Outdoor Rec Leaders Descend on Denver: Co-Created by Conor Hall and the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, the Outside Festival and Summit kicks off this week. Alongside Governor Jared Polis and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, Hall helped launch this year's lineup. Among the sessions we're most excited about: - ORR President Jessica (Wahl) Turner with Senator John Hickenlooper and Trust for Public Land President Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser in a discussion titled "Common Ground: Shaping Public Lands Policy in a Divided Government" - Confluence of States State Directors of Outdoor Recreation convening for "The State Solution: Meet the Bipartisan OREC Directors Leading the Way on Conservation, Access, and Economic Development" featuring Maribel Castañeda, MPA, Jason Curry (Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation), Conor Hall (Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office), Ana Karina Armijo (New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division) and Nathan Reigner (Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation)

This week, the Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office demonstrated why state rec offices are so valuable to outdoor businesses and state economic development goals. Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced new ‘Make It in Michigan’ investment projects including Buell Motorcycles and Wolverine Worldwide. Wolverine Worldwide unveiled its new headquarters for Saucony and Merrell. "This is a return on investment for the state of Michigan, because these are people who are going to find a home here," said Brad Garmon, Director of the Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office. "They want to attract them here, and they invest, buy houses, send their kids to schools, and grow. So this is a strategy that we're going to help this company and partner with them, and that's what Michigan is trying to do, so that they can grow and succeed here, and the people that they hire and employ can be part of Michigan's community." Christopher Hufnagel #25in2025

BREAKING: Public Lands Sell Off is Stripped from House Budget Reconciliation    At a time when the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation industry is facing significant headwinds, keeping public lands public is a bipartisan, pro-business solution and we are thrilled that an amendment that would have sold off public lands and waters was stripped from the budget reconciliation package advancing in Congress. ORR members worked tirelessly to ensure this language did not make it into the final text.    Keeping public lands and waters open and accessible to all Americans is a business imperative that ensures economic growth, job creation, public health benefits from more time outsides, and attracts investment in gateway communities that depend on these lands for their livelihoods. We commend bipartisan leaders like Public Lands Caucus co-founders Representatives Zinke and Vasquez and other bipartisan members for leading this effort in the House.    Congress avoided setting a dangerous precedent that lands can be sold anytime the U.S. Treasury needs a budget ‘pay-for’ and threatening outdoor recreation businesses and rural communities alike that need certainty, access, and long-term infrastructure. We will continue our work with the Trump Administration, Republicans and Democrats standing up for America's best return on investment – our public lands and waters. 

REBUILDING AND RESTORING -- Today in Old Fort, NC, ORR’s VP of Programs Chris Perkins proudly announced the recipients of our Rebuilding and Recovery Micro-Grant Program—a critical step forward in revitalizing outdoor recreation infrastructure in communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. From restoring river access to clearing trails, these locally led projects are bringing back the places that fuel local economies, support public health, and connect people to the outdoors. Thanks to the generous support of Richard King Mellon Foundation and The VF Foundation, the recipients are: ✅ Camp Grier (NC)  ✅ Keep Ashe Beautiful (NC)  ✅ Carolina Climbers Coalition (NC/SC) ✅ Big Creek Expeditions (TN) ✅ SORBA-CSRA (GA/SC)  ✅ Florida Trail Association (FL) Each one is a powerful example of what’s possible when we invest in outdoor spaces as sources of recovery, resilience, and long-term prosperity. They're not just repairing trails and access points—they're rebuilding the heart of these communities. Let’s keep investing in recovery and celebrating the people behind these efforts. See the link in our comments to read more about today's announcement. #OutdoorRecreationEconomy #HurricaneHelene #PublicLands  

CONNECTING THE OUTDOORS TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: New Mexico's outdoor recreation economy took another giant leap forward last week with the announcement of more than $2.3 million from New Mexico Economic Development Department and New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division improve access to the outdoors and boost economic opportunity across 14 counties, including a shooting range, trail restoration, mountain bike jump park, and more. “The Trails+ Grant program is increasing safe and inclusive outdoor access, especially in rural and historically underserved communities,” said ORD Director Ana Karina Armijo. “It’s boosting local economies and is a long-term investment in quality of life for all New Mexicans.” #25in2025

12 New Members and Partners join ORR: We are excited to announce the addition of nine new members and three new partners to its growing outdoor industry coalition, representing academic institutions, businesses, associations, state offices, and nonprofit organizations. These additions reflect the increasing momentum behind the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy and the shared mission to expand access to the outdoors for all Americans. Please join us in welcoming the following new members and partners: ASciS Solutions (Business Member) Colorado State University (Academic Member) Conservation Legacy (Association Member) Granite Outdoor Alliance (Association Member) Harvest Hosts (Partner) Innovate Alabama (State Member) National Audubon Society (Partner) National Park College (Academic Member) NorthWest Arkansas Community College (Academic Member) National Recreation and Park Association (Association Member) Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation (Partner) SE Group (Business Member)

A strong endorsement for outdoor recreation in Maine: Governor Janet Mills joined Jenny Kordick, Executive Director of Maine Outdoor Brands, and Jeff McCabe, Director of the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation to help highlight to state legislators the starring role of outdoor recreation in the state's economic success and the importance of the newly-published 10 Year Maine Outdoor Recreation Economy Roadmap. "We know that there's some work to do and we're here to talk to legislators about the importance of investing in and supporting this industry because it is so important to the state," said Kordick. #25in2025

ORR continues our work to track recreation closures due to agency staffing cuts and inform Congress and the Administration about how these closures impact the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy. With Adam Telle’s confirmation hearing this week to be Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, the closures of US Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds, marinas, and reservoirs across the country are an important discussion point. The map linked in the comments below shows the real-time recreation access closures, and we will continue to monitor the map to ensure high-quality access to recreation across the country.

ORR President Jessica (Wahl) Turner addressed a crowd of 1,300 at last week's RV Power Breakfast in Elkhart, Indiana to outline the critical importance of the RV industry and $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy at large to the United States, as well headwinds facing outdoor recreation and opportunities like the creation of offices of outdoor recreation in Iowa and Indiana.   Turner was joined on stage by Indiana Governor Mike Braun as well as RV Industry Association President Craig A. Kirby and RV Dealers Association President Phil Ingrassia, who are leading the way in ensuring a strong future for RV access and manufacturing across the country.  #25in2025

The creation of the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus is a welcome step forward in protecting and expanding access to America’s public lands and waters—critical to our $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy and the quality of life for millions. “Keeping public lands public is a business imperative,” says Whitney Potter Schwartz, SVP at Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. 👏 ORR thanks Reps. Gabe Vasquez and Ryan Zinke for their leadership in forming the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus and prioritizing access, stewardship, and infrastructure. We look forward to collaborating with the caucus to ensure that public lands remain public and a cornerstone of local economies and healthy communities.