Outdoor Recreation

Governors and their outdoor recreation staff are constantly exploring strategies to leverage their unique natural, cultural and historical resources to improve access to and help promote the economic, social and environmental benefits of outdoor recreation.

State Parks and Outdoor Recreation Websites


NGA Resources

Accessibility Innovations in Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation

Accessibility Innovations in Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation
States, territories and tribal governments are innovating to make travel, tourism and outdoor recreation more accessible and equitable. With increasing awareness of the well-documented health and wellness benefits of travel ...

Advancing Equity in the Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Sectors

Advancing Equity in the Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Sectors
On Wednesday, September 27th NGA hosted its third webinar in a four-part series highlighting innovative and replicable projects that are funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Travel, Tourism and ...

Innovative Workforce Development Programs for the Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Sectors

Innovative Workforce Development Programs for the Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Sectors
The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices held a webinar on Thursday, June 22, 1:00-2:00 EST for members of our Economic Development and Outdoor Recreation Networks to learn about ...

Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation

Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation
For two years, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) partnered with Oregon State University’s Center for the Outdoor Recreation Economy (CORE) to research and assess the ...

Great Outdoors Month® 2023

Great Outdoors Month® 2023
Governors play a crucial role in supporting outdoor recreation by implementing policies aimed at promoting and enhancing recreational opportunities. Every June, Americans across the country get outside during Great Outdoors ...

Public Health and Green Spaces

Public Health and Green Spaces
Governors are leveraging the great outdoors to improve health outcomes and bolster state economies. Genetics play a role in one’s health; however, the environment in which one is raised and ...

Increasing Economic Resiliency of the Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Sectors

Increasing Economic Resiliency of the Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Sectors
On March 22, 2023, NGA hosted the first webinar, in a series of four, highlighting innovative and replicable projects funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Travel Tourism and Outdoor ...

Outdoor Recreation Equals Jobs and Economic Growth

Outdoor Recreation Equals Jobs and Economic Growth
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data released today shows that inflation-adjusted ("real") GDP for the outdoor recreation economy increased 18.9 percent in 2021 with outdoor recreation providing over 4.5 million ...

NGA Hosts its Fourth Annual Outdoor Recreation Learning Network Meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas

NGA Hosts its Fourth Annual Outdoor Recreation Learning Network Meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas
Governors across the country recognize the importance of outdoor recreation and are uniquely positioned to support its growth through state policies, programs and incentives. By Cara Dougherty and Bevin Buchheister ...
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