Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Launches Toolkit to Boost Rural Economies
Last week, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable unveiled a second edition toolkit to help communities take advantage of outdoor recreation opportunities. The toolkit was presented during a webinar with nearly 1,200 outdoor professionals in attendance from across the United States. The National Wild Turkey Federation serves as a member of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, working together to improve access and grow the recreation economy.
The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable promotes the growth of the outdoor recreation economy and outdoor recreation activities through education and advocacy of policies that conserve public lands and waterways and enhance infrastructure to improve the experience and quality of life of outdoor enthusiasts. Over the past three years, their nationwide research has developed a comprehensive guide for communities seeking to enhance their economies through outdoor recreation.
The Rural Economic Development Toolkit features best practices, case studies highlighting economic development in outdoor recreation from every state in the nation, resources for communities and insights to assist community leaders in enhancing outdoor recreation economies. Top of FormThis means not only will a community enjoy experiential benefits from new outdoor recreation investments, but will also see the emergence of new jobs and career opportunities from a growing outdoor recreation economy.
Additionally, the toolkit provides an updated list of federal grants and technical support programs to financially support communities seeking to advance their outdoor recreation opportunities.
"This toolkit is more than just a resource; it's also a roadmap for communities to enhance and build robust outdoor recreation economies, sourced from community leaders around the United States,” said Chris Perkins, ORR’s Vice President of Programs. “Over 1,000 people from communities and organizations nationwide signed up to learn from this tool, a testament to the growing interest and dedication towards sustainable economic development through outdoor recreation in rural America.”
You can access this free resource on the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s website, here.
Why is Outdoor Recreation Important?
Today, outdoor recreation is a $1 trillion industry, bolstering the U.S. economy and creating opportunities for rural communities to use this infrastructure to create resilient communities.
Understanding the importance of outdoor recreation is paramount for hunters and outdoorsmen and women alike. Access to outdoor recreation enhances the quality of life, promotes physical and mental well-being, cultivates community bonds, stimulates economic activity and generates new job opportunities and businesses.
Through advocating for enhanced infrastructure and access to public lands, we not only safeguard our hunting traditions but also play a role in building diversified and resilient communities and economies across the United States. Initiatives like the federal Farm Bill and state programs such as Wyoming's Access Yes Program are instrumental in facilitating recreational access and conserving the nation's natural resources.
Furthermore, as a part of the NWTF mission, the utilization of R3 (Recruit, Retain, Reactivate) underscores a national movement aimed at boosting hunting and shooting sports participation. As stewards of our natural resources and America's outdoor heritage, it is imperative that the NWTF embraces this message and actively engages in efforts to promote outdoor recreation. By doing so, we uphold our commitment to preserving our hunting traditions for generations to come.