A federal office of outdoor recreation would play a pivotal role in harmonizing environmental conservation efforts with economic development, ensuring that the industry’s growth is sustainable and respectful of our natural resources.
We can ignite prosperity through outdoor recreation. It’s time our political candidates spoke to a growing economic force in our nation.
As the myriad issues facing our country come to the forefront during the unfolding drama of the current presidential election, one critical sector has remained conspicuously absent from the national discourse: the outdoor recreation industry.
Often mistaken as a niche industry, outdoor recreation is already a powerhouse, supporting 5 million jobs and contributing $1.1 trillion to the U.S. economy (that’s more than the pharmaceutical and auto industries combined). It stands at the confluence of economic prosperity, environmental stewardship, and public health—and it’s high time our candidates acknowledge the immense potential this industry holds.
By failing to incorporate discussions on this vital sector into their campaigns, candidates are overlooking an opportunity to champion a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive economy leveraging natural resources as quantifiable infrastructure. Imagine if we thought of trails the same way we do highways, river corridors the same way we think of main streets, our public lands and green spaces the same way we think about social services in our communities. How would our approach be elevated? To put it succinctly: This is the last truly bipartisan issue of our time, and one that should not be disregarded.
One clear way to do this is to lobby our presidential candidates for the creation of a federal office of outdoor recreation industry within the Department of Commerce.
There’s a precedent for this office: the Confluence Accords.
Established in 2018, the Confluence Accords are a visionary, collaborative initiative among states committed to advancing outdoor recreation as well as driving economic development, sustainable resource management, and the intersection between the outdoors and public health. The accords provide the blueprint for how the nation can—and should—address workforce development in this space, while supporting the creation of state-level offices to coordinate and optimize the industry’s potential.
One crucial component of the accords is the establishment of state offices of outdoor recreation, which serve as catalysts for economic growth, job creation, and community development. State offices are a proven model that can be scaled to the federal level, which would then pave the way for a coordinated and strategic national approach to outdoor recreation, ensuring that its benefits are felt in every corner of the country.
Establishing a federal office of outdoor recreation within the Department of Commerce aligns with the Confluence Accords’ spirit, providing a centralized platform to champion policies that support the industry’s growth—and create jobs. This office would serve as a hub for collaboration between federal, state, and local governments working toward a common goal alongside the private sector: advancing outdoor recreation as a pillar of our national economy.
Taking it a step further, a federal office of outdoor recreation would play a pivotal role in harmonizing environmental conservation efforts with economic development and ensuring that the outdoor recreation industry’s growth will be sustainable and respectful of our natural resources. The office would coordinate research initiatives, advocate for more relevant and impactful policies, and promote public-private partnerships that could drive innovation and investment in the outdoor recreation sector.
By overlooking the outdoor recreation industry in their campaigns, candidates are missing an opportunity to champion a cause that transcends party lines. Outdoor recreation is a unifying force. It brings people together for shared experiences and shared values. It’s vital to our country’s interests to see this trillion-dollar economy as a valuable piece of our national security. Teddy Roosevelt once called our great outdoors, in essence, America’s “best idea.” It’s time for our presidential candidates to recognize the power of that idea—not just as a place for leisure but as a cornerstone of a prosperous and sustainable future and infrastructure.
Incorporating discussions about the outdoor recreation industry, embracing the Confluence Accords, and advocating for a federal office within the Department of Commerce should be essential components of any comprehensive vision for America’s economic recovery and long-term prosperity. Everyone who enjoys the shade of trees in the summer, the feeling of freedom on a trail or path, and the unstructured joy of relaxing in a park or forest knows that the outdoors isn’t just a playground; it’s an economic engine comprised of river guides and ski resorts, fly-fishing shops and birders, waiting to be fully ignited for the benefit of all Americans. It’s time to holistically bring the outdoor recreation industry to the forefront of our national dialogue.
Luis Benitez is the author of Higher Ground: How the Outdoor Recreation Industry Can Save the World (highergroundbook.com) and currently chief impact officer at the Trust for Public Land. He served as the first director of the Colorado Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry.
Cover photo courtesy Luis Benitez.
