WASHINGTON, D.C. – Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) is celebrating today as Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Administration bill into law, which unlocks the brand new Wyoming Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund to provide $6 million every two years for outdoor recreation infrastructure, planning, and access. The new fund joins several dedicated state-level grant programs nationwide for building outdoor recreation infrastructure and reflects a growing desire to utilize outdoor recreation as a means for economic diversification and state competitiveness.
In the 2023 legislative session, the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund Act passed into law but only created the fund and funding mechanism. The bill that Governor Gordon signed today creates the Governance structure that will allow the money to flow to communities and sets a corpus goal of $200 million. This legislation reinforces Wyoming’s strong outdoor legacy and shows the value that the State of Wyoming sees in developing its outdoor recreation economy in a way that supports local communities and reduces impacts on natural resources.
“This legislation is a testament to what can happen when a diverse group of public supporters define a common goal and work together to achieve it,” said Patrick Harrington, State Director of the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation. “We wouldn’t be here today without broad support from wildlife conservation groups, motorized recreators, hunters and anglers, shooting range managers, local and county government officials, and many others across the state.”
“Wyoming is a state that exemplifies the best of outdoor recreation,” said Chris Perkins, Vice President of Programs at Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “Governor Gordon and the state legislature are showing forward-thinking leadership to position the state for economic resilience into the future through outdoor recreation’s economic, community, and health benefits. We applaud all the advocates from Wyoming’s recreation community who worked tirelessly to see this day arrive.”