Confluence of States Receives 2026 National Recreation Resource Leadership Award from Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals
Chair Nathan Reigner and Co-chair Karina Armijo receive the 2026 National Recreation Resource Leadership Award at the National Outdoor Recreation Conference Awards Luncheon.
DULTH, MINNESOTA — The Confluence of States has been named the recipient of the 2026 National Recreation Resource Leadership Award, presented by the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP). Selected annually by the SORP Board of Directors, the award recognizes an individual or organization whose work has had a significant national impact on outdoor recreation and the outdoor recreation profession.
The Confluence of States is a bipartisan coalition of 22 state offices of outdoor recreation working together to grow the outdoor recreation economy, give the industry a unified voice, support public health, expand access to outdoor recreation, and advance stewardship of America's public lands.
“The Confluence of States exemplifies exactly the kind of collaborative leadership that moves the needle for outdoor recreation across our country,” said Lisa Luokkala, SORP Board President. “Their ability to bring states together around shared goals — and to translate that collaboration into real outcomes for communities, economies, and public lands — is precisely what this award was created to honor. We are proud to recognize their work on this national stage.”
The award was accepted on behalf of the Confluence of States by Nathan Reigner, Chair of the Confluence of States and Director of the Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation.
“This recognition belongs to every state and all their constituents who have shown up, rolled up their sleeves, and committed to doing this work together," said Nathan Reigner, Chair of the Confluence of States and Director of the Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation. "Pennsylvania and our fellow states know that outdoor recreation is not just an economic driver — it is woven into the fabric of who we are and how we care for the land. We are deeply honored by this award and energized to keep building on the momentum we've created together.”
The award was presented during the 2026 National Outdoor Recreation Conference (NORC), which brings together outdoor recreation professionals, policymakers, land managers, and advocates from across the country to share best practices and advance the field. The National Recreation Resource Leadership Award, along with the other 2026 honorees, was recognized at the NORC Awards Luncheon held May 12 in Duluth, Minnesota.
