OREC

University programs focused on the outdoor industry are few and far between, but starting this spring, Western Carolina University will offer students one more option. The four-year university in Cullowhee, North Carolina, announced the launch of its Professional Outdoor ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Biden’s climate plan: The new administration’s agenda focuses on science, social justice, and economics. [Washington Post] Fight over Oak Flat: The Trump administration transferred ownership of the Arizona region to a ...read more

Massive funding is in store for Vermont’s outdoor recreation industry, thanks to governor Phil Scott’s proposed annual budget. In an address to Vermont lawmakers Tuesday, Scott called for more than $20 million in spending on ventures related to the outdoor industry, including a ...read more

Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web The Outdoor State: To celebrate Earth Day, Protect Our Winters is gathering support for a new climate change initiative. [Forbes] How coronavirus has affected Colorado's outdoor rec: A new survey by the Colorado Outdoor ...read more

After an extensive two-month search to replace Tom Adams, Gov. Herbert announced the new director of Utah’s Office of Outdoor Recreation: Patrick “Pitt” Grew. Grew spent his childhood in the mountains of Utah, skiing every weekend with his parents who both worked in the ski ...read more

Coronavirus strains Mountain House supply chain: As coronavirus panic stirs, the backpacking food company Mountain House was forced to temporarily shut down its website in response to overwhelming demand for its freeze-dried food. [Outside Online] Coronavirus travel tips: ...read more

Turning to the masses to save Modell’s: The beleaguered sporting goods retailer, which plans to close 15 percent of its stores to stave off bankruptcy, is also seeking new outside investment, an effort that CEO Mitchell Modell called “crowdsourcing at the highest level.” [PR ...read more

Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at [email protected]. OREC: Minnesota scored an outdoor recreation task force. Poler is back: With the relaunch of the brand and opening of its flagship store in Portland, Oregon, ...read more

With beaches, forests, plains, and mountains, Minnesota is a bountiful land for outdoor enthusiasts. And soon, a task force of 20 people will identify even more outdoor economic and participation opportunities around the state. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, ...read more

Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at [email protected]. There's a new trade show in town: The Big Gear Show will premiere in July 2020, three weeks after Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. What do you think makes a ...read more

October was a historic month for outdoor recreation. Directors of offices from Maine, Michigan, Nevada, Virginia, and New Mexico joined eight other states in signing the Confluence Accords at the sixth annual Utah Outdoor Recreation Summit in St. George. The set of 12 principles ...read more

Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at [email protected] Confluence Accords: The number of states that had signed a set of outdoor recreation principles increased from 8 to 13 this week. Leaders from Maine, Michigan, ...read more

New Mexico isn't just miles and miles of barren desert: There are plenty of outdoor adventures to be had. Axie Navas will tell you. It's now her job to promote the state's outdoor recreation opportunities and uplift its outdoor business as the first-ever director of the Office ...read more

New Hampshire followed in the footsteps of 15 other states by creating its own office of outdoor recreation, signed into legislation on Thursday by Gov. Chris Sununu. “New Hampshire’s low tax environment and booming economy are a beacon for business in the northeast,” Sununu said ...read more

North Carolina's Outdoor Recreation Industry Office has a new leader—and it was an obvious choice. Amy Allison steps into the role after working as marketing and PR manager at Eagles Nest Outfitters (ENO) and co-founding a coalition of outdoor brands based in Western North ...read more

New Mexico became the 13th state to establish an Office of Outdoor Recreation in April, and on Monday, the first director started work. Veteran journalist Axie Navas will lead the state's efforts to create a booming outdoor recreation economy, along with the first-of-its-kind ...read more

Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at [email protected] Brazil’s Amazon rainforest is burning: The trees provide a significant amount of oxygen and therefore, the blaze could accelerate climate change, researchers say. ...read more

Almost four years ago, outdoor recreation directors from Utah, Washington, and Colorado met in a little Italian cafe in Salt Lake City, Utah, during Outdoor Retailer. Cailin O'Brien-Feeney, formerly of Outdoor Industry Association and now Oregon's director, was also there. At the ...read more

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam climbed into a kayak along the marshy shore of Carvins Cove Natural Reserve on Thursday. Wearing a "Virginia is for outdoor lovers" T-shirt, he spent part of his day paddling the lake, enjoying one of the places that will be protected by a new state ...read more

Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at [email protected] Trend setters: The fashion industry is taking fashion tips from...the outdoor industry? It's weird to us too, but high fashion brands—like Fila's launch of 140 ...read more

Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at [email protected] We broke down the Vista Outdoor boycott, with an inside look at the year-long feud and what we can learn from it. HBO and Teton Gravity Research just announced ...read more

The windswept beaches and cliffs of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. The rolling hills of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. The quiet waters of a stretch of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. The 47-run Cascade Mountain ski area. These places, along with many more, will ...read more

The Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office didn't have to look far to replace Luis Benitez, after he announced in March that he was leaving for VF Corporation. Nathan Fey has had his nose underneath the office's tent since its early days. He was a consultant, had a seat on ...read more

“California has the granite walls of Yosemite, we have the Sierra, Lake Tahoe, Big Sur, Joshua Tree, Death Valley, the Shasta-Cascade region, the Redwoods and our pristine coastline,” said Katie Hawkins, an advocate for outdoor recreation in the Golden State. So why is it taking ...read more