The Office of Outdoor Recreation aims to diversify Wyoming’s economy by expanding, enhancing, and promoting responsible recreational opportunities through collaboration, outreach, and coordination with stakeholders, landowners, private industry, and public officials.
Governor Matt Mead announced a new initiative to promote the outdoor recreational industry in Wyoming this year. The Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources will work with private and public stakeholders to develop recommendations to grow Wyoming’s strong outdoor recreation economy.
“Wyoming has world-class opportunities for hunting, fishing, photography and other outdoor recreation. Many of our fondest memories are with friends and family in the outdoors,” said Governor Mead. “The Task Force will build on the considerable work already done and offer ideas to improve outdoor recreation opportunities, marketing and business recruitment.”
Wyoming has seen its outdoor business sector grow in recent years. A 2012 Outdoor Industry Association report found that outdoor recreation in Wyoming generates approximately $4.5 billion annually in consumer spending, $1.4 billion in wages and salaries, $300 million in state and local tax revenue and creates 50,000 jobs. The Governor has championed Wyoming’s outdoor economy since taking office in 2011.
The Outdoor Recreation Task Force will meet 5 times between December 2016 and May 2017 to develop policy recommendations for Governor Matt Mead’s consideration. Recommendations may include principles to guide and identify the benefits of outdoor recreation, outline efforts to expand business opportunities and improve recreation infrastructure in the state's second largest industry.
Reports released on Outdoor Recreation.
Economic Information:
-
Outdoor Industry Report: Wyoming Congressional District at Large
-
BEA: Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account: Prototype Statistics for 2012-2016
The Office of Outdoor Recreation has partnered with the Wyoming Office of Tourism, Wyoming Business Council, Wyoming Game and Fish, and Wyoming Department of Transportation. Each of one these offices provide unmatched expertise in their field and, when these agencies work together they can better organize existing resources that play a role in outdoor recreation.
