A new analysis finds that the outdoor recreation economy accounts for $563.7 billion, or 2.2 percent, of national gross domestic product
Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Outdoor recreation is now a trillion-dollar industry
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Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument in Montana, Bob Wick/Bureau of Land Management ([link removed])
A new analysis ([link removed]) by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) finds that the value added of the outdoor recreation economy accounts for $563.7 billion, or 2.2 percent, of national gross domestic product (GDP). When adjusted for inflation, this represents an increase of 4.8 percent ([link removed]) from the previous year, compared to an increase of 1.9 percent for the economy overall. Total gross output, or spending, topped $1 trillion ([link removed]) for the first time.
The BEA also calculated the value added of the outdoor recreation economy as a percentage of state GDP. Montana and Wyoming came in second and third in the nation at 4.3 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively. Utah and Idaho were not far behind, at 3.2 percent and 3.1 percent. Colorado (2.8 percent), Nevada (2.7 percent), and Arizona (2.5 percent) also outperformed the national average of 2.2 percent. Among interior Western states, only New Mexico, at 1.5 percent, underperformed relative to the national average.
"The outdoor recreation participant base grew for the eighth consecutive year to a record 168.1 million participants, and new participants are increasingly diverse and looking to businesses to lead on sustainability, equity, and conservation," Outdoor Industry Association president Kent Ebersole said ([link removed]) in a statement. "This new data demonstrates the strength of the outdoor recreation industry and our collective power to drive sustainable economic growth while protecting – and growing access to – the benefits of the outdoors for everyone."
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** Quick hits
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U.S. outdoor recreation economy tops $1 trillion and 5 million jobs
Colorado Sun ([link removed]) | Axios ([link removed]) | Outside ([link removed]) | U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis ([link removed]) [press release]
Rep. Judy Chu: President Biden should expand San Gabriel Mountains monument
Pasadena Star-News ([link removed])
The U.S. has a controversial plan to store carbon dioxide under the nation's forests
NPR ([link removed])
New climate report shows hazards of drought to human health in the Southwest
KUNC ([link removed])
Salt Lake City approves development plan for one of its last agricultural areas
Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
The latest on local efforts to restore endangered species in eastern New Mexico
Carlsbad Current-Argus ([link removed])
The deadly legacy of the U.S. uranium mining boom
The Guardian ([link removed])
In Death Valley, a rare lake comes alive
New York Times ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” We must continue to champion destination stewardship, more equitable access to the outdoors, a healthy workforce, and continued sustainable growth of the industry.”
—Conor Hall, Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office director, Axios ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@glaciernps ([link removed])
What are you feeling grateful for this week?
When you stand in front of a waterfall, you can't help but feel small. But, like a mountain stream, you also feel connected to something much bigger than yourself. You realize that everything is connected.
Gratitude is the same way. It helps us to see the interconnectedness of the world. It helps us to appreciate the good things in our lives, even when we feel like we're going over a cliff.
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