State Resources
Statewide Resources
Arkansas
The Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation is tasked with leading the state’s efforts to grow the outdoor recreation economy, work with partners toward improved health outcomes, and promote awareness of the complete range of recreational experiences the state has to offer.
Colorado
The Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC) 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.
Maine
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.
Maryland
The Maryland Outdoor Recreation Economic Commission (MOREC) was established by Governor Larry Hogan through Executive Order in 2017. MOREC delivered their final report in 2019 recommending the creation of an outdoor recreation office. Governor Hogan created the Office of Outdoor Recreation within the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in 2021 to support and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities across the state.
Massachusetts
Recognizing the importance of outdoor recreation, the Healey-Driscoll Administration launched a new Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation (MOOR) in September 2023, which works across agencies to promote Massachusetts as a welcoming, inclusive, diverse, and accessible place to play outside.
Michigan
The Michigan Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry works with industry partners from many sectors to anticipate emerging trends, create effective policy and elevate outdoor recreation opportunities and resources across Michigan.
Montana
Nevada
The Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation supports Nevada's outdoor recreation opportunities and the conservation of its natural environment, grows Nevada's economy through outdoor recreation, and educates the public about responsible recreation and healthy and active lives enriched by the outdoors.
New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development (ORID) was established to support New Hampshire’s diverse outdoor economy and connect the 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 puts exclusive focus on this effort and is fully integrated into the Department of Business and Economic Affairs, working with economic and tourism development teams and partnering with the growing outdoor industry.
New Mexico
The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division is tasked with increasing outdoor-recreation-based economic development, tourism and ecotourism, recruiting new outdoor businesses to relocate to New Mexico, and promoting education about outdoor recreation’s benefits to enhance public health.
North Carolina
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.
Oregon
Oregon’s Office of Outdoor Recreation was created after a coalition of nonprofits and businesses wanted better representation of outdoor recreation in state government. Governor Kate Brown signed legislation in 2017 establishing the Office of Outdoor Recreation within the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to serve as a resource to businesses and nonprofit organizations, a partner to agencies and communities, and an advocate for the outdoors.
Pennsylvania
Recognizing the importance of the economic and many other benefits of outdoor recreation to the commonwealth, in 2021, Pennsylvania established the position of Director of Outdoor Recreation within the office of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretariat. The director’s mission is to unite, grow, and strengthen Pennsylvania’s outdoor economy. The Director’s work led to the establishment of Pennsylvania’s Office of Outdoor Recreation in 2023.
Utah
Governor Gary Herbert created the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation in 2013 - the first in the nation - after recognizing the significant contribution to Utah's economy. In 2022, Utah's legislature recognized the growing importance of the outdoors to Utah's economic prosperity and quality of life. The office was combined with other state recreation management programs and the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation was created.
Vermont
The Vermont Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (VOREC) was established by executive order in 2017. VOREC serves as an advisor to the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation and Agency of Commerce and Community Development. The collaborative’s mission is to engage with businesses, government, the nonprofit sector and the public to identify specific outcomes that promote business opportunities, increase participation opportunities, and strengthen the quality and stewardship of Vermont’s recreational resources.
Virginia
Virginia’s Office of Outdoor Recreation was created by Governor Ralph Northam through executive order in 2019. The office was placed under the Secretariat of Commerce and Trade in partnership with Secretariat of Natural Resources. Together and with staff from multiple state agencies, the office works on economic development, talent attraction and retention as well as improving quality of life through the lens of outdoor recreation.
Washington
In 2015, the Washington legislature created a Policy Advisor for Outdoor Recreation and Economic Development. Washington’s Senior Policy Advisor for Outdoor Recreation and Economic Development operates within the Office of the Governor. They are charged with serving as the state lead on economic development issues relating to the outdoor recreation sector in Washington.
Wyoming
In 2016, Governor Matthew H. Mead charged the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR) with spearheading an Outdoor Recreation Task Force to study and make recommendations on the state’s outdoor recreation needs. That study recommended the creation of an Office of Outdoor Recreation and led to its establishment in 2015. The Office aims to diversify Wyoming’s economy by expanding, enhancing, and promoting responsible recreational opportunities through collaboration, outreach, and coordination with stakeholders.