A collage of outdoor activities, including horse riding, skiing, boating, and off-roading

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Statement on Midterm Elections, Highlights New Data to be Released on Outdoor Recreation Economy

News, Recreation Economy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) issued a statement following the 2026 midterm elections reaffirming the outdoor recreation industry’s commitment to working with every member of Congress, governors, and state and local leaders to strengthen America’s outdoor recreation economy. ORR also announced that it will host a virtual briefing on November 18 to…

Six professionals, including members of the Administration, stand in front of a fire place in Valhalla Tahoe.

ORR Convenes National Conversation in Lake Tahoe on Outdoor Access, Health, and Public Lands and Waters Partnerships

Health and Outdoor Recreation, News

Lake Tahoe site visit and roundtable highlight Barton Health’s community wellness partnerships and explore opportunities to strengthen connections between public lands, recreation, and well-being.  Photos & B-Roll: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD8y1G SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (Oct. 29, 2026) – Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), the nation’s leading coalition of outdoor recreation associations and businesses, convened a high impact gathering to help…

What They Are Saying: ORR’s Rural Outdoor Recreation and Health Grants

Health and Outdoor Recreation, News, Rural Development

Last month, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) announced 11 grants totaling $80,000 through its Rural Outdoor Recreation and Health Grant Program, with support from the LOR Foundation, The VF Foundation, and the Richard King Mellon Foundation. The grants fund locally led projects that connect outdoor recreation and community health in rural places. Here is what…

Governor Spanberger and eleven professionals outside, around a podium that reads "Virginia is for Outdoor Lovers."

ORR Applauds Virginia for Appointing First Full-Time Director of Outdoor Recreation, Deepening the Commonwealth’s Leadership on the Outdoor Economy

News, State Offices of Outdoor Recreation

Governor Spanberger’s executive directive builds on Virginia’s status as a leading outdoor recreation state, positioning the Commonwealth to compete for talent, investment, and public health outcomes. DANVILLE, Va. — The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) celebrated with Governor Abigail Spanberger as she appointed Virginia’s first full-time Director of Outdoor Recreation, Heather Barrar, within the Secretariat of Virginia Natural…

Three women and one man stand on a stage in business professional attire. The backdrop reads, "ORR."

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Announces Leadership Transition

News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – SEPTEMBER 29, 2026 – Outdoor Recreation Roundtable today announced that Jessica Turner will be concluding her tenure as President on November 6 to lead as President and CEO of Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. The Board of Directors has named Whitney Potter Schwartz, ORR’s current Senior Vice President, as Interim President beginning November 9.…

A four-picture collage of a RV, woman riding a horse, woman hiking with a baby, and two men fishing off a boat.

ORR Marks National Public Lands Day, Calls for Continued Investment in Public Lands

News, Recreation Economy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — September 25 — The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) ahead of this year’s National Public Lands Day released a statement from President, Jessica Turner:  “National Public Lands Day is an opportunity to appreciate America’s shared outdoor heritage. Federal public lands and waters are the foundation of our $1.3 trillion outdoor recreation economy. Every…

A collage of nine outdoor recreation activities with the words "Rural Health x Outdoor Recreation 2026 Grantees Named."

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Awards Rural Grants Linking Outdoor Access and Community Health in 10 States

Health and Outdoor Recreation, News, Rural Development

Awards support adaptive paddling for veterans and older adults, a bike fleet serving rural New Mexico youth, accessible trail construction, and more — advancing ORR’s America’s Outdoor Era initiative. WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sept. 24 — Today, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) announced the first recipients of its two new Rural Outdoor Recreation and Health Grant…

Five people in suits pose outside of the Oval Office in Washington, D.C.

ORR Celebrates the Trump Administration’s Focus on Expanding Outdoor Recreation Access and Infrastructure

Infrastructure, News

Washington, D.C. — Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) welcomes the Administration’s call to expand access and resources for recreation and sign the America the Beautiful Act into law. Last night, at a White House Rose Garden Dinner, President Trump signed two outdoor recreation Executive Orders: Restoring American Saltwater Angling and Recreation and Reinvigorating America’s Hunting Heritage.…

Outdoor Recreation Workforce Consortium Releases New Policy Recommendations to Strengthen America’s 5.2 Million-Strong Outdoor Workforce

News, Workforce

“Building a Thriving Workforce for America” charts a path for policymakers to support career pathways across the outdoor recreation economy WASHINGTON, D.C. — September 16— Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) today released new outdoor workforce policy recommendations for state and federal policymakers to support and strengthen the 5.2 million Americans whose jobs are powered by outdoor…