News

Massachusetts became the 18th state to establish an Office of Outdoor Recreation – drawing praise from Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) and bolstering the ability of the nation’s $862 billion outdoor recreation economy to grow even more. Massachusetts’ Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito welcomed an enthusiastic audience full of recreation and conservation advocates to celebrate the new…

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) has released economic data for 2021 exhibiting outdoor recreation’s powerful and positive economic impact on the U.S. economy. These new numbers show outdoor recreation generates $862 billion in economic output and 4.5 million jobs. This means the outdoor recreation economy contributes more to the U.S.…

Today, after the Biden Administration announced the 25 communities that will receive technical assistance under the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities program, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) lauded the announcement below. ORR supported the formation of this program and provided additional funding for five communities to implement their economic development strategies, helping to unlock millions of dollars in additional grant funding.…

While participating in a discussion with U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Chief Randy Moore, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), the country’s leading outdoor recreation coalition, released the following statement on the second anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). “In the early stages of 2020 when the pandemic was raging, stores and business were shuttered, and…

Building on the work of past administrations, Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation to resume its coordinating role among federal land and water management agencies Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) praised today’s announcement by the Biden Administration on the revival of the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation (FICOR). ORR president Jessica Turner will speak at…

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Coalition and Outdoor Recreation Roundtable today lauded the announcement made by United States Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, for $279 million distributed from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to all 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia for state-identified outdoor recreation and conservation…

Today, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) released results from its annual industry-wide Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) collection survey to highlight key projects eligible for the $900 million in mandatory annual funding thanks to the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act. In late 2021, ORR put out a call for critical outdoor recreation-related project…

Applauds Senate committee approval of first-ever recreation package that will improve outdoor access, experiences On the same day the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed the first-ever recreation package, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) and its members released an energizing video highlighting myriad outdoor recreation activities, the $689 billion outdoor recreation economy, and the over 4.3 million jobs it…

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) held the first-ever Electric Vehicle & Next Generation Technologies for Outdoor Recreation Summit today to convene discussion around the strategic deployment of electric vehicles and other green technologies into the outdoor recreation market and economy. The event kicked off with remarks from Austin Brown, Senior Director of Transportation Emissions at the White House and included…

Announcement of climate-smart investments timely for Wednesday’s outdoor sector summit on next generation, electric recreation vehicles Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) celebrates Secretary Tom Vilsack’s announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing nearly $800 million in climate-smart infrastructure across 40 states and several U.S. territories. The investments will support better access to safe water and/or…

Will help build the national and local outdoor recreation economies and get more Americans outdoors Outdoor Recreation Roundtable statement on the announcement by the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture Fy23 budget proposal to invest $2.8 billion – $1.9 billion for the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) and full funding of…

Position Underscores Importance and Benefits of the Outdoor Recreation Economy Outdoor Recreation Roundtable applauded the hire of Pennsylvania’s new Director of Outdoor Recreation, Nathan Reigner, today at an event highlighting the new position and outdoor recreation’s importance to the state. Outdoor recreation generates $11.8 billion for the Keystone State’s economy, is 1.5 percent of its…

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) celebrated two provisions key to bolstering the outdoor recreation industry in the recently passed FY 2022 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. Along with applauding the bipartisan funding of the government, ORR applauds the continued funding of $1.5 million for the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account (ORSA). Additionally, Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Michael Bennet…

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s statement in response to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announcing a record $1.5 billion in annual funding through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Program. The program supports outdoor infrastructure, land and water conservation, habitat restoration and more in every state. “Over the past two years we saw record outdoor participation and sales of outdoor products…

2021 was an incredible year for the $689 billion outdoor recreation industry. Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) convened the cross-sector collaboration that allowed for huge industry wins while the sector continued to overcome pandemic-related challenges. ORR’s 2021 Annual Report outlines how the organization and its members provided breakthrough innovation, secured increased funding, worked for greater access…

Rural Outdoor Investment Act Would Help Rural Communities Prepare for and Grow Outdoor Recreation Economies, Infrastructure Leading outdoor recreation organizations are fully supporting U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Michael Bennet’s (D-CO) newly-introduced Rural Outdoor Investment (ROI) Act. This bill provides much-needed capital for rural communities seeking to build and plan…

Led by the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), outdoor recreation businesses and associations are calling on Congress to enact legacy legislation for our great outdoors by passing a first-of-its-kind recreation package. There are dozens of bipartisan, bicameral bills that don’t cost taxpayers money and make common sense updates or reforms in order to help outdoor business…

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) President Jessica (Wahl) Turner attended the signing of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act at the White House with President Biden and other leaders from across the country. ORR was formed, in large part, to work towards better recognition of the outdoor recreation economy’s contributions to the U.S. economy, as…

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) provided the following statement after President Biden released an updated Build Back Better plan. “The Build Back Better plan includes historic investments in fighting climate change that are necessary to grow our nation’s economy, bolster the $788 billion outdoor recreation economy and protect the public lands and waters our industry relies…

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) statement on U.S. House Natural Resources Committee markup of a bill that will greatly improve access for Americans to the outdoors, H.R. 3670, the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act. “This House markup is a critical first step to improving access for the American public and updated tools for federal…

“The entire recreation industry applauds Governor Hogan’s creation of an Office of Outdoor Recreation and hiring of J. Daryl Anthony as its first director,” said Jessica Wahl Turner, executive director of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “As a Marylander myself, I am in awe of all the state has to offer when it comes to recreation on…

Washington, D.C. – Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), the country’s leading outdoor recreation coalition, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service, Department of the Interior (DOI) and a diverse range of outdoor recreation partners, joined together today to discuss implementation of the most important outdoor recreation legislation in the 21st century – the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). Jessica…

On behalf of the growing $788 billion outdoor industry, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable expresses our strong support for quickly advancing bipartisan infrastructure legislation. We appreciate the hard work by President Biden, members of his administration and the US Senate to come to an agreement on a broad and impactful bipartisan infrastructure package that invests in our…

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable released the following statement regarding today’s Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) (link) to support economic development through outdoor recreation.  “The EDA’s announcement of $750 million in funds to support gateway communities’ economies is welcome news for the outdoor recreation community as we work to help rural communities recover…

The United States Senate declared June 2021 Great Outdoors Month® by passing Senate Resolution 273 June 16th. This is the fifth year in a row the Senate has recognized Great Outdoors Month®, which began in 1998 under President Bill Clinton and has grown tremendously under ORR’s coordination as a celebration of America’s public lands and waters…

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, the nation’s leading outdoor recreation coalition, released the following statement on the Department of the Interior’s and Department of Agriculture’s announcement today regarding $2.8 billion in projects, grants and programs authorized in last year’s Great American Outdoors Act to expand access for recreation on public lands. “The Great American Outdoors Act is…

Annual Outdoor Recreation Conference Focused on Impacts of the Pandemic on Participation and Access, Rural Economic Development, Conservation, the Future Workforce and More  This week over 150 outdoor recreation industry leaders came together with federal agency and conservation partners for Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s annual forum, Partners Outdoors. During the first day of the virtual event…

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable threw its support behind Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Representative Blake Moore’s (R-UT) reintroduced Recreation Not Red Tape Act to lower obstacles for people to recreate in, improve and prioritize the outdoors. The bill tackles cumbersome permitting and other processes for outdoor guides, as well as trail and forest maintenance while encouraging…

For almost 30 years, Partners Outdoors has been the premiere venue where stakeholders from the federal agencies, business, and non-profit sectors come together to discuss the future of outdoor recreation. The annual conference hosted by the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable is back and scheduled for June 1 & 2, 2021 after a year hiatus due to COVID. “We…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, the nation’s leading outdoor recreation coalition, released the following statement on the Biden administration’s ‘Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful’ report. “The bottom line is that access to healthier public lands and waters means more opportunities for Americans to recreate outside and for communities’ economies to thrive,” said Jessica…

Colorado’s western slope offers limitless outdoor adventure opportunities, and a new partnership among national, state and local entities, including the Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC) and the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) is addressing accessibility barriers. The Glenwood Springs Gear Library provides free outdoor gear and additional information to help remove barriers to participation.  “Colorado’s majestic outdoors belongs…

“ORR and the entire outdoor recreation industry are excited for Rep. Haaland’s game-changing and historic confirmation to be the next Secretary of the Interior,” said Lindsey Davis, acting executive director of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “Throughout her career Rep. Haaland has worked to improve and increase access to the outdoors for recreationists, and she understands how…

On the eve of her first Senate confirmation hearing, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) women leaders held a media discussion regarding Representative Debra Haaland’s nomination to be Secretary of the Interior and what it means for the outdoor industry. Topics covered included ORR’s priorities for Interior including outdoor infrastructure, funding the recreational trails program, bolstering the…

“Today’s reversal of the previous administration’s secretarial order is welcome news! There are myriad shovel ready projects to connect popular trails and recreation areas that involve complex land access issues between federal, state and private lands. This reversal makes that process much more doable with all the federal land agencies, including the BLM. We look…

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable sent the following letter of support to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works for the nomination of Michael Regan to be the next Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.  Read the full letter.

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable sent a letter of support to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry for the nomination of Tom Vilsack to be the next Secretary of Agriculture. Read the full letter here.

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) is encouraged by President Biden’s executive order announcing the goal to fight climate change and create jobs, in part through the 30 by 30 initiative. In December, ORR provided the Biden transition team the ORR Transition Policy Paper outlining the outdoor recreation industry’s support for the 30 by 30 concept but noting the…

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable offered strong support for the nomination of Governor Gina Raimondo to be the next Secretary of Commerce in a letter to the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee. The letter outlines key issues important to the outdoor industry that the Department of Commerce oversees, including the Bureau of Economic Analysis which is responsible for…

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), working with Oregon State University’s Outdoor Recreation Economy Initiative and the National Governors Association Outdoor Recreation Learning Network, is helping rural communities build their outdoor recreation economies through a newly developed resource, the ORR Rural Economic Development Toolkit. Outdoor recreation is a powerful economic force nationally, generating $788 billion in economic…

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable offered strong support for the nomination of Mayor Pete Buttigieg to be the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in a letter to the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, specifically Chairwoman Cantwell and Ranking Member Wicker. The letter outlines the vital role transportation infrastructure will play in the next infrastructure…

“On behalf of more than thirty organizations that represent the 110,000 businesses and millions of employees nationwide that make up America’s outdoor recreation industry, ORR congratulates President Biden and Vice President Harris on their inauguration. ORR’s members represent America’s hunting, fishing, RVing, biking, hiking, camping, off-roading, diving, boating, horseback and skiing communities, among many others.…

“ORR and our members congratulate former Secretary Tom Vilsack, Congresswoman Deb Haaland, former Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Katherine Tai on their nominations. While all cabinet level positions are vital to running an effective government, the outdoor recreation industry is particularly impacted by the policies and actions of the Departments of Agriculture, Interior, Transportation and the Office of the…

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), in partnership with The VF Foundation, is thrilled to announce four communities receiving funding this year to implement their economic revitalization plans through outdoor recreation projects, infrastructure or activities. The selected communities are Fryeburg, ME; Grants, NM; Jasper, AL; and John Day, OR. Another community — Glenwood Springs, CO — was…

Newly Fully-Funded LWCF will Grow Recreation Economies, Outdoor Access for All Americans Today, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable released the results of an industry-wide survey which collected key projects in need of funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). With the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act earlier this year, LWCF now will receive…

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) is stepping up to help rural communities reinvigorate their local economies and create resilient communities through outdoor recreation thanks in large part to support from The VF Foundation. The Recreation Economy for Rural Communities assistance program, launched in 2019, is underway and ORR is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency…

The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released updated economic data on outdoor recreation’s powerful and positive economic impact on the U.S. economy showing $788 billion in economic output, comprising 2.1% of U.S. GDP and supporting 5.2 million jobs. The report includes national and state level data for both 2018 and 2019.  This is the third consecutive year that…

Still, Nothing Will Make up for the Complete Closures This Past Spring An updated Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) member survey, in partnership with the Oregon State University Outdoor Recreation Economy Initiative, finds that the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the outdoor recreation industry is showing signs of easing, with some turnaround from what was a devastating spring for…

Passing the Great American Outdoors Act was a huge accomplishment for the outdoor recreation industry and the thousands of businesses, large and small, that makeup the $778 billion recreation economy. Now that this huge achievement of fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund and allocating real funding for federal land management agencies’ deferred maintenance…

Fresh off the heels of helping to pass one of the most significant legislative actions for the outdoor recreation industry Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) welcomes its 32nd member, the Professional TrailBuilders Association (PTBA), to what is already a strong, diverse and deep membership. “PTBA is excited that the trailbuilder perspective will be included in ORR’s broad…

As Americans continue to suffer from COVID-19, wrestle with ways to regain our financial footing, and debate our economic future and priorities this election year, the outdoor recreation industry is well-positioned to play a prominent role in our nation’s economic growth, the physical health of American citizens and the rejuvenation of our national spirit. Seeking…

Things are looking up for outdoor recreation businesses and enthusiasts as sales start to come back, more people are enjoying the outdoors and major pieces of legislation passed Congress. The Great American Outdoors Act — which passed the Senate in June — passed the House last week with a bipartisan vote of 310-107. ORR and our members were at…

Yesterday, the House passed the Great American Outdoors Act by a bipartisan vote of 310-107. ORR members were at the forefront of this landmark legislation, leading the effort to include maintenance backlog funding for the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; bringing together 127 outdoor recreation businesses in support of GAOA;…

Starting tomorrow, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable will announce 2020’s Legends Awards in a weekly series. Since 1991, Legends Awards have honored employees from federal agencies that manage outdoor recreation on public lands and waters for outstanding work to improve outdoor recreation experiences and opportunities for the American people. Legends Awards are the only awards nominated…

127 outdoor businesses sent a letter to House leadership today urging passage of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). GAOA, if passed, will stimulate the outdoor recreation industry and the thousands of small and large businesses that comprise the growing industry. GAOA would also create more safe and sustainable recreation access while improving infrastructure for…

ORR Applauds Senate’s Bipartisan Effort Today, the Senate passed the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) by a bipartisan vote of 73-25. ORR members were at the forefront of this landmark legislation, leading the effort to include maintenance backlog funding for the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; bringing…

102 cross-sector outdoor recreation businesses urge swift passage of once-in-a-generation legislation WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 10, 2020 – Over 100 outdoor businesses, from Fortune 500 companies to mom and pop shops, including specialty retailers, apparel, gear and vehicle manufacturers, outfitters and guides, campground and marina operators, and more sent a letter to Senate leadership urging…

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Launches Dashboard to Illustrate Continued Impacts to Outdoor Industry An updated Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) member survey, in partnership with the Oregon State University Outdoor Recreation Economy Initiative, finds that the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the outdoor recreation industry continued to worsen throughout the month of May. More companies faced declining sales…

June signifies the beginning of Great Outdoors Month®. As the nation begins reopening the economy, responsible outdoor recreation should be at the forefront of economic, social and mental recovery. In that spirit, ORR is proud to share what our partners are doing to celebrate our public lands and waters, and recreation economy during Great Outdoors Month®. This year, many organizations…

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced yesterday that the Senate will take up the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) when it resumes work in June. This landmark legislation would fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, as well as address the $20 billion maintenance backlog on America’s public lands and waters. ORR led the effort…

Great American Outdoors Act Would Provide Critical Stimulus to Industry and Gateway Communities WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 6, 2020 – Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) released a letter today signed by 29 national outdoor recreation trade associations, supporting over 100,000 businesses, urging Congress to pass the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). This legislation would fully fund…

An Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) member survey, in partnership with the Oregon State University Outdoor Recreation Economy Initiative, finds that the outdoor recreation industry is facing dramatically decreased sales and revenue, difficulties with production and distribution and large numbers of furloughs and layoffs. ORR surveyed its member trade associations representing over 100,000 businesses from RVing…

Americans’ lives and communities have changed dramatically in recent weeks. As schools, businesses, shops and more temporarily close because of COVID-19, Americans are looking to the outdoors – while adhering to CDC guidelines – to provide a necessary reprieve from the intense mental and physical stress caused by this crisis and the vital efforts to…

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), America’s leading coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations and organizations working to promote the growth of the outdoor recreation economy and outdoor recreation activities, has hired successful business entrepreneur and strategist, Lindsey Davis to offer increased support to our members during these difficult times. Our collective voice is needed now…

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the outdoor recreation business community is coming together to strengthen the entire recreation sector – including thousands of small businesses and millions of workers – during this turbulent time. Now, more than ever, we need this collective voice to provide support to the outdoor recreation economy, outdoor enthusiasts, and the local, state…

Great American Outdoors Act includes critical outdoor recreation infrastructure bill and full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Today, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) members lauded the Senate for introducing a bipartisan bill, the Great American Outdoors Act, that prioritizes the $20 billion maintenance backlog facing our public lands and waters and finally fully…

Outdoor recreation initiatives are off to a great start in 2020 thanks to Outdoor Recreation Roundtable members at the center of the action. At the state level, Offices of Outdoor Recreation (ORECs) are advancing: Indiana unanimously passed a resolution out of the Senate Natural Resources Committee calling for the creation of an Office of Outdoor Recreation. ORR…

Bipartisan bill would update funding formula and provide at least $250 million to support recreational trails. WASHINGTON – Representatives Peter Welch (D-Vt.), John Curtis (R-Utah) and Angie Craig (D-Minn.) today introduced legislation that will more than double funding for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP).  Since 1991, RTP has provided funding to states to develop and…

Story originally posted at www.rvia.org ORR member the RV Industry Association applauds the leadership of Indiana Senator Blake Doriot for recognizing the importance of growing Indiana’s outdoor recreation economy and introducing a resolution to urge the establishment of an Indiana Office of Outdoor Recreation Development (Senate Concurrent Resolution #15) within the Indiana Destination Development Corporation…

End of the year budget bill passed today boosts outdoor recreation and conservation Washington, D.C., December 19, 2019 – Today was a great day for recreation programs, new and old. The 2020 spending package passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate delivers a funding boost for a host of outdoor recreation, access…

Effort will Create a Multitude of Outdoor Recreation Related Economic Opportunities SAINT PAUL, Minn. – December 12, 2019 – Outdoor recreation industry leaders including Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, REI and Outdoor Industry Association applaud Minnesota’s announcement of an Outdoor Recreation Task Force (ORTF) to study and identify economic and participation opportunities around the state’s robust outdoor…

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) and our members have had several busy weeks of trade association meetings and conferences, including the International Boatbuilders’ Exhibition and Conference, the National Forest Recreation Association Conference and Trade Show, the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo, the RV Dealers Association Convention/Expo and more.…

This week, Congress focused heavily on the outdoor industry by holding hearings on recreation in both chambers. The House Committee on Small Business held a hearing titled “Force of Nature: The Power of Small Businesses in America’s Recreational Infrastructure,” while the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee heard testimony on outdoor recreation bills that will…

House Small Business Committee and Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee to hold important recreation hearings Outdoor recreation will be at the forefront of conversations on Capitol Hill next week. For the first time, the House Committee on Small Business will hold a hearing focused solely on outdoor recreation. The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) and…

Signatories to Confluence Accords Reach a Historic 13 GEORGE, UTAH – Outdoor recreation leaders from Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico and Virginia committed to advance the principles contained in the Outdoor Recreation Industry Confluence Accords, on behalf of their governors, at a signing ceremony today. That brings the total number of states to a historic…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Newly released economic data on the national and, for the first time ever, state levels reinforce what the outdoor recreation industry has long believed: Outdoor recreation is a powerful driver of national and local economies and it is growing faster than the U.S. economy as a whole. This is the second consecutive…

Note: This piece was first published in The Hill on September 9, 2019 By Jessica Wahl, Sandra Marra, Mary Ellen Sprenkel, Land Tawney and Kate Van Waes America’s public lands and waters are our nation’s most treasured resources, but they face a serious problem – a lack of federal investment that has led to $19.3…

The National Governors Association (NGA) today announced the launch of the Outdoor Recreation Learning Network – of which the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) is a founding sponsor – to help governors and their staff leverage their states’ unique natural, cultural and historical outdoor recreation resources to advance economic, workforce, health and environmental benefits. “ORR is…

Virginia joined a growing number of states that have embraced the importance of the outdoor industry by establishing an Office of Outdoor Recreation – drawing praise from the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR). Governor Ralph Northam unveiled the office at an event today in Roanoke, VA,  which was attended by ORR and its members – including…

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable commends the joint efforts of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), State of Maryland and Charles County for creating a new National Marine Sanctuary, the first in 19 years. National Marine Sanctuaries support important places for outdoor recreation activities like fishing, boating, paddling, diving and more. The proposed Mallows Bay-Potomac…

Congressional focus on recreation continued this week with the bipartisan introduction of the Recreation Not Red-Tape Act in both houses of Congress by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), Representative Rob Bishop (R-UT) and Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI). This widely supported legislation removes barriers to outdoor recreation, making it easier for all Americans…

Members of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) are making their case before the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), describing just how proposed Section 301 tariffs will hurt the outdoor recreation industry and American consumers. Tom Cove (President and CEO, Sports and Fitness Industry Association), Glenn Hughes (President, American Sportfishing Association), Scott Schloegel (Senior…

ORR testified on Capitol Hill this week. Executive Director Jessica Wahl was invited to testify on the deferred maintenance backlog and potential solutions by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. This hearing represented an extraordinary bipartisan opportunity to explore how we can improve recreation infrastructure essential to outdoor pursuits on our public lands and waters. While visitation to…

The United States Senate unanimously approved S. Res. 239, designating June as Great Outdoors Month.  The resolution action was led once again by U.S. Senator Steve Daines of Montana, who led parallel efforts in 2017 and 2018.  The full list of Senators leading this effort, literally spanning the nation from Maine to Hawai’i and appropriately…

GREAT OUTDOORS MONTH, 2019 A PROCLAMATION Each year, millions of Americans step into our Nation’s vast and wondrous outdoors. There, they experience the miracles of creation: expansive forests, towering mountains, winding canyons, pristine waters, imposing glaciers, and soaring landscapes. These natural marvels offer limitless opportunity to experience nature and to consider the profound. During Great…

Bill would simplify permitting processes for outdoor guides and outfitters Americans’ ability to participate in outdoor recreation on our public lands and waters took a major step forward this week with the introduction of the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act by Senators Martin Heinrich (D, NM) and Shelley Moore Capito (R, WV). This…

by Thom Dammrich – Chair, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable & President, National Marine Manufacturers Association When someone mentions infrastructure, the first images that immediately come to mind are typically roads and bridges. However, for many people across the country, infrastructure is much more than that – especially for our nation’s recreational boaters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts.…

Read the original article here. The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable has already scored a series of wins in 2019, something not many groups in Washington, D.C., can claim in today’s polarized political climate. A historic natural resources bill, passed in February, contains big wins for the recreational fishing and larger outdoor recreation communities, including permanent reauthorizations…

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) hosted a reception for the 116th Congress and celebrated the monumental steps its members have already taken to grow the outdoor recreation economy and provide access to America’s great outdoors. At the event, more than 100 recreation industry leaders applauded the bipartisan and bicameral passage of S. 47 – the…

Public Lands Package will help grow recreation economy for years to come The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) – the nation’s leading coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations – strongly supports the recent passage of the Natural Resources Management Act (S.47) in the U.S. Senate. This bipartisan legislation takes great strides in protecting our public lands and…

Congressional leadership is key to ensuring Americans have continued access to high-quality experiences on federally-managed lands and waters – nearly one-third of our nation’s surface. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee are responsible for statutes and overseeing policies that govern federal lands and waters managed by agencies including…

The federal shutdown has impacted federal workers, businesses and nonprofits, communities, and countless American families.  And this much is clear: the shutdown caused serious problems for outdoor recreation.  Now that a short-term deal has been reached, federally managed public lands and waters will return to normal operations.  But the recreation industry urges Congress and the…

Policy Statement on Federal Recreation Sites and Programs During Federal Shutdowns The federal shutdown is impacting federal workers, businesses and nonprofits, communities, and countless American families.  This much is clear: the shutdown poses serious problems for outdoor recreation.  The outdoor recreation community calls on Congress and the Administration to end the lapse in funding which has…

Recreation took center stage at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on January 8 as Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) leaders and recreation company CEOs met with Secretary Sonny Perdue, Under Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment Jim Hubbard and other key officials.  The group noted the importance of national forests to many recreational activities,…

Outdoor recreation received a significant boost in the Farm Bill, which passed the United States Senate December 11, the U.S. House of Representatives December 12 and was signed by the President December 20. Opening the door for outdoor recreation projects and programs in rural communities to access the rural economic development grants, new language in…

Outdoor Industry Executive to Lead America’s Premier Outdoor Recreation Coalition Washington, D.C. (December 19, 2018) – The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Jessica Wahl as executive director following an extensive national search. Jessica brings a decade of experience navigating the halls of The White House, Department of the Interior…

Agents of Discovery and the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable – along with participating sites and partners – celebrated the D.C. Explorer Campaign with a reception at ORR’s offices December 11.  The campaign ran June 7 – November 1, 2018, and involved nine locations across D.C., Maryland and Virginia.  Public and private partners from the federal, state and local…

During recent ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Cathedral and in Houston George H.W. Bush was honored for his leadership, his patriotism and his remarkable circle of friends.  His love of boating and fishing and the great outdoors was referenced multiple times – including talk of his boat, Fidelity, a not-too-traditional fishing boat –…

During ceremonies this week in the U.S. Capitol and at the Washington Cathedral, George H.W. Bush was honored for his leadership, his patriotism and his remarkable circle of friends.  His love of boating and fishing and the great outdoors was referenced multiple times – including talk of his boat, Fidelity, a not-too-traditional fishing boat –…

Partners Outdoors – a unique gathering of recreation community leaders from the private and public sectors – has been a mainstay of the outdoor recreation community for almost 30 years. This special meeting is designed to promote public-private brainstorming focused on identifying workable, innovative solutions to recreation management challenges. Partners Outdoors 2018 was one of…

Thanksgiving is here, and that means the holidays are right around the corner.  This year, make plans for a great family experience – cutting your own Christmas tree on a national forest!   The U.S. Forest Service has a special program that allows fourth graders with an Every Kid in a Park pass to obtain a…

The sun is setting on the 115th Congress, with just weeks left to advance legislative proposals that have been debated over the past two years on Capitol Hill. While time is short and the legislative laundry list is long, the House and Senate should take full advantage of the remaining time by passing legislation that…

The National Park Service is moving closer to welcoming a new Director.  The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing today to consider the nomination of David Vela to be the Director of the National Park Service (NPS).  During the hearing, Mr. Vela discussed a wide range of topics, including: the growing maintenance…

As the 115th Congress prepares to return for a short “lame duck session,” members of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s (ORR) government relations committee are hard at work urging passage of key legislation reflecting ORR’s policy agenda.  ORR members are seeking funding for continuing and expanding the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account, which measures the economic impact of outdoor…

Washington, D.C. (November 1, 2018) – The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) has aided trail construction and maintenance projects and programs nationwide since 1991. Created through landmark surface transportation legislation, RTP reflected Congressional belief that federal gas taxes paid on motorfuel used in motorized nonhighway recreational activities should be used to benefit those paying the tax…

The outdoor recreation industry is big, growing bigger, and attracting new attention from the Congress and the Administration! Last month, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross appeared on Capitol Hill and described the outdoor recreation industry as one of the nation’s largest and fastest growing.  At 2.2% of the nation’s GDP, $734 billion in gross annual output,…

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s social media channels serve as a one-stop resource for the latest information on the outdoor recreation economy, industry media coverage and events, policy updates from Capitol Hill and state legislatures, and so much more! It only takes a minute to add us to your network, so take advantage of all these…

Everyone knows how important the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are to outdoor recreation, right?  After all, they manage hundreds of millions of acres of our nation’s public lands and waters and welcome hundreds of millions of recreation visits each year. But did you…

It’s official!  Vicki Christiansen was sworn in as U.S. Forest Service Chief by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue on Thursday, October 11. Ms. Christiansen served as Interim Chief from March 8 – October 10, 2018.  Prior to then, she served as Deputy Chief for State and Private Forestry where she was responsible for oversight of Fire…

The outdoor recreation industry is good for the economy. On September 20, it was made official with the release of the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis’ (BEA) first-ever final Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account (ORSA) report. The release of the data is a significant milestone, and the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable has been busy advancing the organization’s…

The U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee September 27 unanimously approved H.R.5158 – which directs the Secretary of Transportation to reopen the nomination process for National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads. The bill – introduced by U.S. Representatives David Cicilline (D-RI) and Ted Poe (R-TX) – was revised through an amendment offered by…

Be sure to give back to your public lands and waters this coming Saturday, September 22 – the 25th annual National Public Lands Day (NPLD)!  Coordinated by the National Environmental Education Foundation and nationally sponsored by Toyota Motor North America, NPLD is the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer event for public lands and waters. On Saturday, nearly 200,000 volunteers will plant…

Report Formally Recognizes Outdoor Recreation Among Nation’s Largest Sectors Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross Helps Brief Capitol Hill on Outdoor Recreation Economy – Photo Credit: Risdon Photography Washington, D.C. (September 20, 2018) – The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) today welcomed the final report on the first-ever government statistics recognizing the outdoor recreation industry as a significant…

Repairing the nation’s crumbling infrastructure is essential to keeping travel and tourism booming. That’s the message in a featured article in Travel Weekly, a leading travel industry publication. U.S. Travel Association CEO Roger Dow sounded the alarm, saying that travel will stall if infrastructure needs are not met. “If we don’t, we’re locked We cannot…

While the outdoor recreation industry supports fair international trade policies and efforts to protect U.S. business interests in the global market, recent trade policy developments have threatened continued growth in this critical $734 billion industry. We understand the Administration’s efforts to safeguard U.S. intellectual property and balance unfair trade deficits, however recent tariffs have prompted…

Washington, D.C. (September 6, 2018) – Great Outdoors Month® 2018 was one of the most successful partner celebrations ever!  Americans across the country – outdoor rookies and experts alike – decided to #EscapeTheIndoors this June and enjoy outdoor recreation on America’s public lands and waters.  Government leaders at every level joined public and private partners…

KEY SUMMER SUCCESSES Great Outdoors Month ORR led the way during Great Outdoors Month, which included Kids to Parks™ Day, Bike Travel Weekend, National Fishing and Boating Week, National Get Outdoors Day, the Great Outdoors Day of Service, the Great American Campout and more. President Trump and all 50 governors proclaimed June 2018 Great Outdoors…

America’s federal lands and waters face a daunting $18.62 billion backlog of deferred maintenance – resulting from years of inadequate attention to maintaining buildings, trails, roads and other infrastructure. The problems caused by this backlog are felt daily, and the situation adversely impacts parks, visitors and surrounding communities. The 2017 National Park Service Visitor Spending…

Who has hands on the wheel for decisions about America’s federal lands and waters, which hosted some 900 million recreation visits in 2017? These places are vital to an outdoor recreation industry that accounts for 2% of the nation’s economy. The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable invites you to find out more about these decision-makers with a…

It’s time to get serious about the maintenance backlog in America’s Great Outdoors.  That’s the message of a striking new video from the Department of the Interior.  The video was premiered at a Capitol Hill event hosted by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and featuring Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Angus King (I-ME), Rob…

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) leaders met with U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Steven Censky to discuss the essential role played by the Department – notably the USDA Forest Service – in providing diverse and high-quality outdoor recreation opportunities and growing the outdoor recreation economy, especially in rural communities.  The Forest Service provides a wide…

Outdoor recreation is taking center stage at the U.S. Department of the Interior.  Secretary Ryan Zinke recently proclaimed that “Recreation is Back” in a video (view it here) and is now enlisting a new “Made in America” Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee to assist that effort.  The 16-member panel meets tomorrow, July 17.  Its top recreation…

Americans love boating! Today’s USA Today highlights the $39 billion spent on marine products in 2017! See how smart policies can lead to better access to outdoor recreation and boost the economy at recreationroundtable.org/policy-priorities.

Happy first day of summer! Recreation on America’s public lands has a new look.  Technology has changed the way we enjoy the outdoors, and the U.S. Department of the Interior is working with partners like the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable to make them more accessible to all – from better facilities to improved Wi-Fi. Click the picture to…

Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke invites Americans to get out and celebrate Great Outdoors Month, whether in a well-known national park or wildlife refuge, or a park next door. Wherever you are, Great Outdoors Month is for you!   Visit www.greatoutdoorsmonth.org to learn more.