Confluence Of States Release Annual Outdoor Report Highlighting Work Across Offices
NATIONWIDE - The Confluence of States released their annual Outdoor Report providing an overview of the collective work offices of outdoor recreation have accomplished for fiscal year 2024. Offices include:
New Hampshire Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development
Washington Senior Policy Advisor on Outdoor Recreation and Economic Development
Offices of Outdoor Recreation provide a centralized and dedicated home to coordinate efforts across agencies, identify new opportunities for economic growth, connect all communities to the benefits of time outside, and promote responsible recreation in a state’s most treasured places. They support the outdoor industry developing economies and creating jobs, increasing rural prosperity, improving public health outcomes and quality of life, and promoting environmental stewardship and conservation.
The Confluence of States is a growing network guided by five pillars to ensure outdoor recreation retains a bipartisan approach:
Conservation and Stewardship
Education and Workforce Training
Economic Development
Public Health and Wellness
Opportunity and Experience
The report highlights each pillar describing efforts from across member state offices and their departments. From facilitating grant funding to supporting outdoor economy summits and passing meaningful legislation to support the outdoors.
“We are thrilled to announce the release of the Confluence of States' Annual Outdoor Report, which showcases the incredible work and dedication of our offices of outdoor recreation across the nation,” said Katherine Andrews, Chair of the Confluence of States and Director of the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation. “This report highlights the pillars of our outdoor initiatives and the collective efforts in reducing barriers to the outdoors. We are excited about the remarkable accomplishments and the positive impact these efforts have on enhancing our outdoor spaces and economies. Together, we are forging a path toward a vibrant future for outdoor recreation.”
For 2022, U.S. federal data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis showed that the outdoor recreation economy accounted for $1.2 trillion in gross economic output, 2.3% of gross domestic product, and 5 million jobs. From 2022 to 2023, outdoor recreation real GDP grew 3.6% compared to 2.9% for the U.S. economy and jobs growing 3.3% compared to 1.8%.
“In just over a decade, 24 states have created offices of outdoor recreation because they recognize that outdoor assets are core to thriving economies, healthy people, and connected communities,” said Chris Perkins, Vice President of Programs at the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “This year’s Outdoor Report from the Confluence of States is another milestone for the state outdoor recreation movement and captures a remarkable set of accomplishments from state outdoor recreation leaders across the country. The $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy is propelled by these leaders and we are excited to celebrate their work and support states in creating and sustaining offices of outdoor recreation.”
"Supporting and investing in state offices of outdoor recreation is vital to the long-term growth and sustainability of the outdoor industry. The latest report from the Confluence of States highlights the remarkable advancements in outdoor access, infrastructure, and programming that become possible when the industry backs these offices," said Jaclyn Levy, Senior Director of Advocacy and Government Affairs at the Outdoor Industry Association. "OIA is committed to continued support for these state offices, along with state policies nationwide, that enhance and expand the recreation economy—particularly at a time when outdoor participation and the industry's economic impact are reaching record levels."