Virginia Opens Office of Outdoor Recreation

Virginia has established an Office of Outdoor Recreation. Governor Ralph Northam unveiled the office at an event last week in Roanoke, Virginia, which was attended by the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and its members – including the National Marine Manufacturers Association and RV Industry Association. This action represents an effort by the state to commit to strengthening the industry by increasing collaboration and investment.

Virginia joins Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico and Wisconsin as states that have created Offices of Outdoor Recreation in the past few months. Fifteen states across the country now have either offices or task forces dedicated to growing the outdoor recreation economy, which is growing faster than the economy as a whole.

“The creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation is a huge step forward for Virginia, one of my favorite states to recreate in,” said Jessica Wahl, executive director of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “Outdoor recreation in this state generates billions of dollars each year, creating jobs, supporting rural communities and promoting conservation. We thank the state of Virginia – including Secretary of Natural Resources Matthew Strickler and Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade for Rural Economic Development Cassidy Rasnick – for their leadership in recognizing outdoor recreation’s importance and look forward to working with them to make sure residents and visitors alike have access to their public lands and waters for generations to come.”