State Offices of Outdoor Recreation

As Alabama’s first statewide public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, technology and innovation, Innovate Alabama implements programs and policies that support Alabama’s innovation ecosystem. Through these efforts, Innovate Alabama empowers entrepreneurs, business owners and students to build a business, a career and a life in Alabama.

The Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation’s goal is to further establish Arkansas as a top destination for outdoor recreation and to ensure outdoor businesses continue to thrive. The office provides a central point of contact, advocacy, and resources at the state level for the diverse constituents, businesses, and communities that rely on the continued health of the outdoor recreation economy. The office focuses on economic development, education and workforce training, conservation and stewardship, and public health and wellness, to ensure the state’s strategic growth as a place where outdoor businesses and recreation communities can flourish.

The Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office provides a central point of contact, advocacy, and resources at the state level for the diverse constituents, businesses, and communities that rely on the continued health of the outdoor recreation economy. OREC’s mission is to champion industry, communities, and people to come to life through Colorado’s great outdoors. Colorado’s outdoor recreation industry accounts for $13.9 billion in state GDP annually and contributed 130,000 direct jobs in 2022. According to the 2017 SCORP report, 92% of Colorado residents participate in outdoor recreation each year. Colorado’s outdoor economy contributes to a higher quality of life, making people and communities happier and healthier.

Housed within the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Office of Outdoor Industry and Experiences works to grow Connecticut’s outdoor recreation economy by promoting and leveraging the state’s parks system through public-private partnerships.

A division of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois Department of Tourism promotes travel and tourism across the state, including its outdoor recreation offerings.

The Office of Outdoor Recreation leverages Maine’s assets and outdoor recreation heritage to grow the outdoor recreation economy and build Maine’s outdoor recreation brand as part of a coordinated effort with partners from the public and private sectors. Outdoor recreation made up 3.9% of Maine’s economy, and supported more than 32,000 jobs in Maine in 2021, accounting for 5% of employment.

The Maryland Office of Outdoor Recreation was established to support and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities across the state. We are guided by the “five Es”: Environmental conservation & stewardship, Education & workforce development, Economic development, Exercise health & wellness and Equity, access & inclusion. We strive to make outdoor recreation spaces more welcoming and inclusive, expand access to outdoor recreation opportunities, and amplify the good work that is being done in the field.

The Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation (MOOR) seeks to promote Massachusetts as a great place to come play outside! We further seek to make Massachusetts one of the most welcoming, inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible places to recreate outside. Whether you are a visitor or a resident, explore what Massachusetts has to offer.

Outdoor recreation plays an important and growing role in Michiganders’ quality of life, leisure time and health. The Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry – a first for our state – works with industry partners from many sectors to anticipate emerging trends, create effective policy and elevate outdoor recreation opportunities and resources across Michigan.

The Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership (ORIP) is an inter-agency collaboration between Explore Minnesota Tourism, the Department of Natural Resources, The Department of Employment and Economic Development and Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation. The Partnership was formed in spring of 2023 as a direct result of recommendations made by both the Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Task Force and the Governor’s Council on Economic expansion.

The Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation works to promote Nevada’s outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities and the conservation of its natural environment, grow Nevada’s economy through outdoor recreation, and educate the public about responsible recreation and healthy and active lives enriched by the outdoors.

The Division of Tourism (Travel Nevada) operates within the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (DTCA) to help achieve the Governor’s strategic priority of ensuring Nevada is recognized for its world-class destinations, its innovative and business-friendly economic environment, its quality of life, and its efficiently and effectively run state government. In addition to managing state tourism efforts, the Division provides communities and businesses with development resources, training, and grant assistance that help bolster local economic bases and diversify regional economies.

The addition of the Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development was established to support New Hampshire’s diverse outdoor economy and connect our state’s world class outdoor assets to broad economic development strategies such as workforce and business recruitment. In a post-COVID world and the new remote work environment, these connections will take on even more importance. The new outdoor recreation office and its director will put exclusive focus on this effort and will be fully integrated into our department, working with our economic and tourism development teams and partnering with our growing outdoor industry.

The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division’s goal is nothing short of transforming the state’s economic, social, and environmental future by championing sustainable outdoor recreation and increasing access to it for all New Mexicans, especially those who have been excluded from the traditional outdoor recreation and environmental movements. The Division works to achieve positive, measurable impacts within economic development, conservation, education, and public health. The Outdoor Recreation Division’s success is dependent on collaboration with New Mexican businesses, nonprofits, and partner state and federal agencies. Through this network, we aim to engage all New Mexicans as stewards of the state’s incredible natural resources.

North Carolina’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Office works to grow and support the outdoor recreation economy at the state level through collaboration with existing outdoor businesses, local governments, and communities who rely on a richly diverse outdoor recreation landscape. The office focuses on economic development, education and workforce training, conservation and stewardship, and public health and wellness, to ensure the state’s strategic growth as a place where outdoor businesses and recreation communities can thrive.

Housed within North Dakota Parks and Recreation, the Office of Outdoor Recreation (NDOOR) works to grow the state’s outdoor recreation economy through collaboration with public and private partners.

Recognizing the importance of the economic and many other benefits of outdoor recreation to the Commonwealth, in 2022 Pennsylvania established the position of Director of Outdoor Recreation within the office of the DCNR Secretary. The director’s mission is to expand and ensure the benefits of outdoor recreation for all Pennsylvanians as individuals, communities, and a Commonwealth. The director serves as a liaison among industry, non-governmental organizations, user, and government partners to:

• Communicate the significance of outdoor recreation
• Address needs for systematic support and investment in outdoor recreation
• Welcome all residents of and visitors to Pennsylvania to enjoy and benefit from the Commonwealth’s diverse and exceptional outdoor experiences.

The Division of Outdoor Recreation is committed to ensuring every Utahn can live a healthy and active lifestyle through outdoor recreation and access to natural space.

The Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) is a state program administered by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) in partnership with the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD). A 15-person Steering Committee of public/private partners from across Vermont represent different sectors of outdoor recreation economy and inform the direction of the program. Our work strengthens connections between Vermont’s outdoor recreation resources and the benefits that come from participation in outdoor recreation using Data, Technical Assistance, Policy, Funding, and Storytelling.

The Secretariat of Natural and Historic Resources oversees Virginia’s natural and historic resource agencies, including outdoor recreation, conservation, and historic preservation initiatives across the Commonwealth.

Wyoming’s Office of Outdoor Recreation aims to diversify Wyoming’s economy by expanding, enhancing, and promoting responsible recreational opportunities through collaboration, outreach, and coordination with stakeholders, landowners, private industry, and public officials.