Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) released the State Funding Mechanisms for Outdoor Recreation report featuring case studies on seven states across the country that are investing in the public lands and waters that support the outdoor economy.

“Funding for outdoor recreation and conservation is a central part of what OIA and our members advocate for,” said Amy Roberts, OIA’s executive director. “As more Americans are getting outside and as we see declining recreation budgets coming from Washington, D.C., state funding for outdoor recreation is even more critical. We are excited to share this new research on how several states are leading the way in finding innovative ways to fund outdoor recreation and look forward to working with more communities across the country to invest in their outdoor recreation economies.”

Earlier this year, OIA released the Outdoor Recreation Economy Report, which shows that the thriving outdoor economy generates $887 billion in consumer spending annually, supports 7.6 million American jobs and generates $65.3 billion in federal tax revenue and $59.2 billion in state and local tax revenue each year. Fifty state reports followed, showing that when our nation’s leaders invest in outdoor recreation, the result is healthier economies and healthier communities.

 The  new report details the funding programs and policies that leading states are taking and provides information for anyone who wants to do more to support the growth of the outdoor recreation economy in their local communities.

The report was conducted for OIA by Headwaters Economics, an independent, nonprofit research group based in Bozeman, Montana, that works to improve community development and land management decisions.

“The seven case studies provide important lessons for states seeking to develop creative approaches for investing in outdoor recreation,” said Kelly Pohl, a researcher at Headwaters Economics and co-author of the report.

In addition to providing an overview of the current outdoor recreation funding landscape among states, this report also summarizes findings, distills best practices and provides detailed case studies of the following programs:

  • Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Grant and Trust Fund
  • Colorado State Lottery and Great Outdoors Colorado
  • Minnesota’s Legacy Fund
  • North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund
  • Texas Sporting Goods Sales Tax
  • Vermont’s Housing and Conservation Trust Fund
  • Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program