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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP) is proud to support the ‘25 in 2025’ campaign, an initiative led by the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) that challenges states to establish the 25th Office of Outdoor Recreation within the next year. With 24 states already recognizing the vital role of outdoor recreation through dedicated government offices since 2013, this campaign seeks to further the momentum in advancing outdoor recreation policy, economic growth, and community well-being.

SORP Executive Director Rachel Franchina emphasized the significance of this initiative:

“Now more than ever, we recognize the need for sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities, and we stand in full support of ORR's ‘25 in 2025’ campaign. These offices have been instrumental in elevating outdoor recreation as a key economic driver while also improving community health and quality of life. By working together, we can ensure that all states have the resources to create and sustain these vital offices.”

Since Utah established the nation’s first Office of Outdoor Recreation in 2013, nearly half the country has followed suit through executive orders and legislative action. These offices have unified stakeholders, including businesses, educators, and visitors, to advocate for increased investment in outdoor recreation infrastructure, programming, and accessibility. The Confluence of States, a coalition of these offices, has played a key role in fostering a shared national vision for outdoor recreation.

Jessica Wahl Turner, President of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, praised the campaign’s launch:

“Few stories highlight the bipartisan significance of outdoor recreation more than the rapid establishment of these offices across 24 states in just over a decade. These offices lead groundbreaking initiatives and investments that generate economic growth, support conservation efforts, and improve public health. We look forward to celebrating the 25th state and recognizing the incredible achievements of current offices.”

As part of the ‘25 in 2025’ campaign, ORR has introduced a new resource: “5 Steps to Create an Office of Outdoor Recreation in Your State.” This tool compiles best practices from states that have successfully launched offices and is accompanied by additional resources, including:

• A Guidebook to Developing Offices of Outdoor Recreation

• Strategies to Support Offices of Outdoor Recreation

• Pathways and Structures for Offices of Outdoor Recreation

• The Value of Offices of Outdoor Recreation

In the coming months, ORR will release further research and resources to encourage investment in new and existing offices. The campaign will culminate this fall with an in-person event celebrating the milestone of the 25th state joining the movement.

The ‘25 in 2025’ initiative follows a record-breaking year for the outdoor recreation economy, marked by the passage of the EXPLORE Act—one of the most comprehensive outdoor recreation policy updates in recent history—and a U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis report revealing that the sector generated $1.2 trillion (2.3% of GDP) and 5 million jobs in 2023, reflecting a 36% real-term growth since 2012.

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