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 Confluence of States, today released the first comprehensive disaster resilience playbook designed specifically for state outdoor recreation offices. Developed with generous support from The VF Foundation, and crafted via interviews with state directors of outdoor recreation who have managed recent crises, When Disaster Strikes: A State Playbook for Outdoor Recreation Resilience provides state leaders with practical guidance to prepare for, coordinate during, and accelerate recovery from disasters affecting outdoor recreation, public lands, businesses, and local economies.
In partnership with Confluence of States—the bipartisan coalition of state offices of outdoor recreation—the playbook draws on firsthand lessons from outdoor recreation leaders across the country who have managed recovery efforts following hurricanes, historic flooding, wildfires, and other natural disasters. More than a collection of best practices, the resource provides a practical blueprint for state outdoor recreation offices to organize partners before disasters strike, communicate effectively during emergencies, document recreation impacts, support local businesses, and coordinate long-term recovery.
“State outdoor recreation offices have become essential partners in helping communities prepare for and bounce back from natural disasters, but until now they’ve had to build that playbook from scratch, often in the middle of a crisis,” said Chris Perkins, Vice President of Programs at ORR. “This resource captures the hard-won lessons of leaders who have been through hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, and puts them in the hands of every state. When a disaster hits, people’s lives, recreation access, local businesses, and gateway economies are all on the line, and state recreation leaders are uniquely positioned to bring the right people together to protect them. We hope this toolkit is instantly valuable as disasters will continue to impact recreation economies and communities nationwide.“
As America’s $1.3 trillion outdoor recreation economy, supporting 5.2 million jobs and accounting for 2.4 percent of U.S. GDP, continues to grow, so too does its exposure to costly and increasingly frequent natural disasters. Outdoor recreation businesses, outfitters, guides, manufacturers, campgrounds, local governments, destination communities, and public land managers all depend on coordinated recovery efforts to restore access, reopen destinations, and sustain local economies. This playbook equips state outdoor recreation offices and other state recreation leaders with the tools to help lead those partnerships before, during, and after disaster strikes.
The playbook includes preparedness checklists, disaster recovery timelines, first-72-hour action guides, communications templates, contact tree resources, and practical recommendations for coordinating among emergency managers, land managers, tourism officials, economic development organizations, businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders. It emphasizes the unique role state outdoor recreation offices can play as conveners, translators, information brokers, and advocates—ensuring recreation remains a priority throughout disaster response and long-term recovery.
“North Carolina has experienced firsthand the challenges that natural disasters can bring to outdoor communities and economies,” said Amy Allison, Director of the North Carolina Outdoor Economy Office. “One of our greatest lessons has been that the partnerships you build before a disaster become the foundation for recovery afterward. We hope this toolkit serves as a practical resource that communities across the country can adopt to strengthen preparedness, support recovery, and build resilience for whatever challenges lie ahead.”
The release builds upon ORR and the Confluence of States’ ongoing efforts to strengthen the nation’s rapidly expanding network of state offices of outdoor recreation, already numbering 25 nationwide, by providing practical tools that help states support local businesses, improve coordination across agencies, protect recreation access, and build stronger, more resilient communities.
“At the VF Foundation, we believe outdoor spaces have the power to strengthen communities and support local livelihoods,” said Gloria Schoch, Executive Director, The VF Foundation and Senior Director, Global Impact, VF Corporation. “As disasters increasingly threaten the places we depend on, building resilience has never been more important. We are proud to support Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and Confluence of States in creating a national blueprint that helps states prepare for challenges, accelerate recovery, and protect access to the outdoors. Together, we can build stronger, more resilient communities and equip leaders with the tools they need to safeguard outdoor access, support local economies, and ensure the benefits of outdoor recreation endure for generations to come.”
“Across the country, states have recognized that outdoor recreation is a powerful economic driver, creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and strengthening communities. Natural disasters put those benefits at risk,” said Hannah Wintucky, Manager of the Confluence of States. “By drawing on the experience of our member states, this playbook gives outdoor recreation leaders practical tools to prepare for disasters, respond more effectively, and help communities recover stronger.”
The full When Disaster Strikes: A State Playbook for Outdoor Recreation Resilience is available here.