Blogs

Toward Shared Stewardship of America’s Public Lands

By Michael Bradley posted 17 hours ago
Toward Shared Stewardship of America’s Public Lands Moving Beyond Control to Collaboration Debates over who should manage America’s public lands often frame the issue as a choice between federal authority and state control. In practice, this framing oversimplifies a far more complex reality. Public lands are shaped by overlapping jurisdictions, shared responsibilities, and partnerships that already blur the lines between levels of government. The question is not whether authority should reside in one place or another, but how stewardship can be structured to balance access, conservation, and long term responsibility. Federal land management has historically ...

What Shifting Public Land Governance Means for Outdoor Recreation Professionals

By Michael Bradley posted 3 days ago
What Shifting Public Land Governance Means for Outdoor Recreation Professionals A Field Being Asked to Adapt in Real Time For outdoor recreation and natural resource professionals, debates over who manages public lands are not abstract policy conversations. They are shaping day to day work, long term career paths, and the skills required to remain effective in a rapidly changing field. As authority, access, and expectations shift, so too does the professional landscape. One of the most immediate implications is increased complexity. Recreation professionals are now navigating management systems that vary widely by jurisdiction, funding structure, and political ...

The Risks of Shifting Public Lands to State Control

By Michael Bradley posted 5 days ago
The Risks of Shifting Public Lands to State Control Capacity, Consistency, and the Fragility of Long Term Stewardship While arguments for expanded state control of public lands emphasize flexibility, local knowledge, and economic opportunity, the concerns raised by critics are equally substantive. These concerns are not rooted in resistance to change, but in questions of capacity, consistency, and long term responsibility. As management authority shifts closer to the local level, the safeguards built into federal systems may become harder to sustain. One of the most significant challenges is uneven capacity across states. Federal land agencies operate ...

The Case for State Control of Public Lands

By Michael Bradley posted 7 days ago
The Case for State Control of Public Lands Local Knowledge, Flexible Management, and the Promise of Expanded Access As debates over public land management intensify, one argument continues to gain traction. States may be better positioned than federal agencies to manage large portions of America’s public lands. Advocates of expanded state control point not to ideology, but to practicality, arguing that proximity, flexibility, and responsiveness matter in ways centralized systems often struggle to match. At its core, this perspective is rooted in the belief that land management works best when decision makers are closer to the landscapes and communities ...

Who Should Manage America’s Public Lands?

By Michael Bradley posted 9 days ago
Who Should Manage America’s Public Lands? Shifting Authority, Expanding Access, and the Questions We’re Not Asking Enough For more than a century, federally managed public lands have shaped conservation, outdoor recreation, and the American idea of shared natural heritage. National parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and Bureau of Land Management lands have long reflected a national commitment to stewardship that extends beyond state lines and election cycles. Today, that framework is being questioned in new and meaningful ways. Across the country, conversations are accelerating around transferring federal lands to state ownership or expanding state-led ...

Collaborative Learning in Action: Highlights from SORP’s Virtual VUM Foundations Training

By Angie Braley posted 10-29-2025
This September, SORP hosted its first-ever virtual delivery of the Visitor Use Management (VUM) Foundations Training, bringing together participants from across agencies and landscapes. While many virtual trainings risk becoming passive viewing sessions, this one was intentionally designed as a working environment rather than just a sit-and-watch experience. Each day balanced presentations with collaborative scenario work. Participants were divided into groups and assigned one of five case studies, ranging from managing high visitation at popular trails, to planning first-time infrastructure at small preserves, to addressing user conflicts and unauthorized ...

Making Meaning: The Role of Interpretation in Connecting People and Parks

By Michael Bradley posted 10-13-2025
Like a fingerprint, every park and community possesses unique characteristics that distinguish them, each shaped by distinct histories, cultures, demographics, and natural environments. Yet, despite their individuality, common threads connect these places across neighborhoods, states, and even continents. It is the role of interpreters, whether in parks, museums, or classrooms, to illuminate those connections, helping people understand and deepen their relationships with the places they visit. According to the National Park Service’s Foundations of Interpretation: Curriculum Content Narrative, interpretation does not have a single, rigid definition. Rather, it ...

From Green Spaces to Thriving Places: The Case for More Parks

By Michael Bradley posted 09-15-2025
From Green Spaces to Thriving Places: The Case for More Parks Authors: Katie Adkins & Michael Bradley Why We Need to Invest in Community Parks and Recreation Community parks and recreational spaces are more than just nice-to-haves—they’re essential to the vitality, health, and happiness of our neighborhoods. These green spaces provide room for relaxation, play, physical activity, and social connections. Simply put, they’re key to building stronger, healthier communities. Yet, despite their many benefits, parks often compete with other local needs for funding. To secure more investment in these vital spaces, we need to shine a brighter spotlight ...

Poultney, VT, Hosts Inclusive Spaces Training and Workshop

By Rachel Franchina (she/her) posted 09-12-2025
It doesn’t take long to recognize the charm of the small Vermont town of Poultney. Located in southwest Vermont on the New York border, Poultney has a historic downtown filled with small businesses, Victorian-style homes, and community gathering spaces. The D&H Railroad runs through the center of town and is a symbol of both Poultney’s industrial past of slate quarries and its outdoor recreation future as a trail hub. The railroad is now the D&H Rail Trail and Poultney is the home base of Slate Valley Trails, a nonprofit that manages more than 60 miles of hiking and biking trails. Poultney is also navigating recent challenges including the closure of ...

Fostering Equity and Access in Recreation

By Michael Bradley posted 08-18-2025
Fostering Equity and Access in Recreation Andy Beichler & Michael J. Bradley Introduction Recreation plays a vital role in supporting physical and mental health, yet social and economic barriers often prevent equal access for all. This disparity highlights the need for fair and thoughtful approaches in the recreation profession. By ensuring that recreation opportunities reflect and respond to the needs of a broad range of community members, practitioners can not only improve health outcomes but also build a stronger, more resilient industry. This blog explores how recreation providers can create more welcoming environments by evaluating their ...

The Importance of Environmental Stewardship Education

By Michael Bradley posted 07-14-2025
The Importance of Environmental Stewardship Education Authors: Michael Bradley & Cody Korson Introduction As more people flock to the outdoors for recreation and respite, the need to protect and sustain these natural spaces becomes increasingly urgent. Outdoor spaces provide countless physical, mental, and social health benefits, but they are not limitless. The Leave No Trace (LNT) principles offer a foundational framework for minimizing human impact and promoting a culture of environmental stewardship. As more people explore trails, campgrounds, rivers, and backcountry terrain, ensuring they do so responsibly becomes critical to preserving ...

Building Skills, Sharing Knowledge: 2025 Visitor Use Management Training and Symposium Recap

By Rebecca Maguire (She/Her) posted 06-17-2025
From June 2–5, 2025, more than 100 outdoor recreation professionals, planners, managers, and researchers gathered in downtown Vancouver, Washington for a four-day event focused on the art and science of Visitor Use Management (VUM). Hosted at the Hilton Vancouver Washington and supported by sunny skies and light morning mists, the event included a two-day immersive training, a full-day symposium, and field workshops in some of the region’s most iconic landscapes. The VUM Training: Foundations First The event launched on June 2 with the Foundations of Visitor Use Management training, which brought together approximately 80 participants from across ...

The Significance of Authentic Narratives When Interpreting Slavery

By Michael Bradley posted 06-13-2025
The Significance of Authentic Narratives When Interpreting Slavery Madison Price-Stivers & Michael J. Bradley Introduction Heritage tourism is evolving as travelers seek deeper connections to history, culture, and place. Among the most profound topics in this space is the interpretation of slavery, which requires careful, authentic storytelling to honor truth and promote understanding. As interest in genealogy, cultural identity, and historic preservation grows, so does the responsibility of tourism professionals to tell stories with honesty, inclusivity, and integrity. Authentic narratives not only shape visitor perceptions but ...

Member Spotlight - Ben Lawhon

By Rebecca Maguire (She/Her) posted 06-11-2025
Designing Better Visitor Experiences: How Ben Lawhon Helps Parks Navigate Change We’re thrilled to spotlight Ben Lawhon , Founder and Principal of Recreation Solutions Group , and one of the leading voices in visitor use management and outdoor recreation planning. With over 25 years of conservation and visitor management experience, Ben brings unmatched expertise to his work with parks, protected areas, and communities. For two decades, he served as the Senior Director of Research and Consulting at Leave No Trace , where he led nationally recognized research initiatives and helped shape best practices in low-impact recreation. His contributions include ...

Member Spotlight - Chris Seek

By Rebecca Maguire (She/Her) posted 05-29-2025
Bringing Global Vision to Local Outdoor Recreation With over 20 years of experience across 75 countries, Chris Seek, CEO of Solimar International, has consistently demonstrated how sustainable tourism can be a powerful engine for conservation and economic development. Whether enhancing trails in U.S. National Parks or supporting protected area planning in the Himalayas, Chris has helped ensure that outdoor recreation benefits both people and the planet. His recent leadership on two projects—one in Colorado and another in Bhutan—illustrates this global-local impact. In Colorado, Chris led the creation of the state’s first Destination Stewardship ...

Celebrating Leadership Transitions: Thank You to Our Outgoing Board, Welcome to the New

By Rebecca Maguire (She/Her) posted 05-23-2025
Thank You to Our Departing Board Members The Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP) extends our heartfelt thanks to the board members whose terms have come to a close. Each brought unique expertise, energy, and perspective to our work. As they transition from board service, we are grateful for the ways they have advanced our mission and helped strengthen the outdoor recreation profession. Michael Bradley – President As SORP President, Dr. Michael Bradley led with professionalism and purpose. His extensive background in outdoor recreation research and natural resource management helped guide the organization through continued growth and ...

Member Spotlight – Etinosa Igunbor

By Rebecca Maguire (She/Her) posted 05-15-2025
Mapping the Future of Restoration: How Etinosa Is Bridging Science and Recreation A recognized leader in ecological restoration and sustainable land use, Etinosa Igunbor is not only advancing science—he’s shaping how we plan, protect, and enjoy outdoor spaces. Etinosa brings over a decade of experience in environmental and forest management, having led large-scale reforestation and conservation efforts in Nigeria as a Forestry Officer with the Edo State Ministry of Environment and Sustainability. Now, with support from the National Science Foundation, he’s conducting cutting-edge research in the Intermountain West of the United States—an effort that’s ...

The Economic Impact of Outdoor Recreation in Rural Community Transitions

By Michael Bradley posted 05-13-2025
The Economic Impact of Outdoor Recreation in Rural Community Transitions Authors: Liam Funk & Michael J. Bradley In many parts of the United States, especially in regions long tied to extractive industries, rural communities are undergoing significant economic transitions. As coal mining, logging, and related sectors decline, local leaders and residents are searching for sustainable alternatives that support economic resilience and long-term growth. One promising avenue is outdoor recreation. Outdoor recreation is more than leisure—it’s a powerful economic engine. In places like Central Appalachia, where economic challenges persist, recognizing and ...

Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP) Supports '25 in 2025’ Campaign

By Rebecca Maguire (She/Her) posted 03-18-2025
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 ...

Impacts of Executive Orders on the Outdoor Recreation Community

By Rachel Franchina (she/her) posted 02-14-2025
As a 501(c)3, the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals strives to support our members and the broader outdoor recreation community regardless of political affiliation. Outdoor recreation has strong bipartisan support in the U.S. The recent passage of the EXPLORE Act and other legislation such as the Great American Outdoors Act are evidence that access to the outdoors are important to people from all walks of life. However, several of President Trump’s Executive Orders (E.O.) and other policies have a great impact on both individuals within our community and the ability for our community to plan, manage and provide outdoor recreation opportunities for all. ...