Over 200 Outdoor Recreation Businesses and Associations Urge Congress to Pass America the Beautiful Act Before August Recess

Infrastructure, News, Recreation Economy

Businesses spanning the entire $1.3 trillion outdoor recreation economy say there is “no better way to celebrate America’s 250th birthday” than investing in its public lands and waters  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today over 200 outdoor recreation businesses and business trade associations representing America’s $1.3 trillion outdoor recreation economy sent a letter to Congressional leadership urging swift passage of the America the Beautiful Act before Congress adjourns for the August recess.  The signatories (see full…

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and Confluence of States Release First National Disaster Resilience Playbook for State Outdoor Recreation Leaders

Infrastructure, News, Recreation Economy, Resources, State Offices of Outdoor Recreation

New Resource, Developed in Partnership with Confluence of States and Supported by The VF Foundation, Helps Protect America’s $1.3 Trillion Outdoor Recreation Economy Before, During, and After Natural Disasters  WASHINGTON, D.C. — As natural disasters and extreme weather increasingly threaten America’s public lands and waters, outdoor recreation businesses, and gateway communities, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), in partnership with…

Lessons for Resilience: ORR Hurricane Helene Grantees Display Power of Recreation in Recovery

News, Recreation Economy, Rural Development

When Hurricane Helene tore through the Southeast in the fall of 2024, it tested the networks, infrastructure, and community relationships that outdoor recreation advocates had spent years building to sustain local recreation economies. In response, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable awarded Hurricane Helene Recovery and Resilience grants in 2025 to communities across the Southeast to help restore…

America 250 Is a Time to Celebrate Our Greatest Shared Inheritance: The Outdoors

EXPLORE, Health and Outdoor Recreation, Infrastructure, News, Recreation Economy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable issued the following statement for our nation’s 250th anniversary: “As America celebrates its 250th birthday this July 4th, we have an opportunity not only to reflect on our nation’s history, but also to remind ourselves of one of the greatest gifts we share as Americans: our extraordinary outdoors,” said Jessica Turner, President of…

ORRA Praises House Committee Action on Legacy Restoration Fund Legislation

Infrastructure, News, Recreation Economy

Bipartisan Bill One Step Closer to Final Passage Washington, D.C. — Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Association (ORRA) President Jessica Turner thanked members of the House Natural Resources Committee, led by Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-CA), for passing the Great American Outdoors Act 250 out of the committee today. The bill, with…

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Announces New Grant Programs to Advance Rural Economies, Community Health, and Quality of Life through Outdoor Recreation

Health and Outdoor Recreation, News, Recreation Economy, Rural Development

New grant opportunities will direct funding to Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC) community participants and rural Mountain West communities to turn outdoor recreation plans into local health, access, and community impact Washington, D.C. — June 17, 2026— Today, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), the nation’s leading coalition of outdoor recreation associations, announced two new grant…

Iowa Becomes 25th State to Establish Outdoor Recreation Office, Marking Major Milestone for Growing Outdoor Recreation Economy

News, Recreation Economy, State Offices of Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Celebrates Iowa’s Leadership and Continued Momentum Behind State Outdoor Recreation Offices Nationwide  Indianola, Iowa — The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) today celebrated with Governor Kim Reynolds during her announcement establishing the Iowa Office of Outdoor Recreation, making Iowa the 25th state to create a dedicated office focused on advancing the nation’s $1.3 trillion outdoor recreation economy. The new office will prioritize outdoor recreation opportunities, local economic development, conservation, tourism and…

Event Recap: First National Executive Forum on Health and Outdoor Recreation

Health and Outdoor Recreation, News, Recreation Economy

Overview  On May 6 and 7, 2026, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) convened the inaugural National Executive Forum on Health and Outdoor Recreation in Washington, D.C. — a first-of-its-kind gathering that brought together top outdoor recreation industry and health leaders to make the case for a bold national vision to make outdoor recreation a pillar of public health and grow a key sector…

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Convenes First-of-Its-Kind Federal–Industry Dialogue on Recreation Data and Technology

Infrastructure, News, Recreation Economy

Washington, D.C. — The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) convened a first-of-its-kind meeting with the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation (FICOR), bringing together all of the land and water management agencies and leading top outdoor recreation and technology companies to advance collaboration on recreation data, technology, and access. The meeting with the FICOR, which was formally reestablished by the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, was a key outcome of ORR’s Outdoor Recreation…