Blogs

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 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 ...

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 ...

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. ...

I love traveling and usually start planning my next trip before the current one ends, but I knew that spending three out of four weeks away from my family and home would be tough. And it was—especially since I didn’t feel well on two of those trips, and the third involved a serious family distraction (thankfully, all is well now). Still, the traveling was worth it to meet so many people who are passionate about creating memorable outdoor experiences and working together to ensure these resources are sustainably managed. It was also exciting to introduce new people to the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professions (SORP) and brainstorm ways to elevate our work ...

Press Release from https://fpr.vermont.gov/press-release/63-million-vorec-grants-boost-outdoor-recreation-across-vermont Wed, 05/29/2024 - 12:00 PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release – May 29, 2024 Contact: Jackie Dagger, VOREC Program Manager Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation jackie.dagger@vermont.gov , 802-636-7410 $6.3 Million in VOREC Grants Boost Outdoor Recreation Across Vermont, Supporting 51 Projects Montpelier, VT – Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore and the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) today announced 51 new recipients of the VOREC Community Grant Program. These ...

The Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP) is proud to unveil the 2024-2025 board of directors. The board members bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their respective roles, embodying SORP's dedication to promoting excellence in the outdoor recreation profession. The composition of the executive board is as follows: President: @Michael Bradley , Ph.D. – Department Chair, Arkansas Tech University Vice President: @Drew Pollak-Bruce – Founder & Principal, CRP Planning + Design Secretary: @Monika Derrien , Ph.D. - Research Social Scientists, USDA Forest Service Treasurer: @Lisa Luokkala - Executive ...

At the 2024 National Outdoor Recreation Conference (NORC) SORP announced the 2024 National Recreation Resource Leadership, Project Excellence and Individual Service award winners. The National Recreation Resource Leadership Awardis selected by the SORP Board of Directors to recognize an individual or organization whose career path has had a significant national impact on outdoor recreation and the outdoor recreation profession. The 2024 National Recreation Resource Leadership Award was presented to Deb Haaland, United States Secretary of the Interior. The 2024 Project Excellence and Individual Service Awards, recognizes outstanding contributions to the ...

On December 4, 2023 the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP) and Outdoor Recreation Design Lab hosted our second Inclusive Spaces Audit Workshop. Funded by a grant from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) , the workshop focused on empowering outdoor recreation providers to make their spaces more inclusive and accessible to a broader range of users. Hosted at Staunton State Park in Pine, Colorado, our second edition of the workshop was expanded from a half-day format to a full day to incorporate time for understanding key concepts and pre-field observations. Participants were required to submit a short application to attend the ...

On September 7, 2023,, the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals' Executive Director, Rachel Franchina, participated in a workshop about solutions and actions for implementing the BLM's Blueprint for 21st Century Outdoor Recreation . The workshop was hosted by the BLM's new Congressionally-designated foundation, the Foundation for America's Public Lands . Outdoor recreation is a key focus area for the Foundation and they are committed to supporting the BLM and partners in transforming how people experience outdoor recreation on BLM-managed public lands. The workshop included a mix of presentations and breakout group discussions. BLM and Foundation ...