Leaders and experts from across the country gathered in Pittsburgh to discuss the potential for outdoor recreation to grow rural economies. What can Pennsylvania learn about their challenges and successes?
On Oct. 1 and 2, Pittsburgh hosted the first-ever National Leadership Forum on Rural Development through Outdoor Recreation, convening leaders in the outdoor recreation industry, non-profits, NGOs, federal and state agencies, rural practitioners, academics, and industry partners from across the country. It showed that Pennsylvania is not alone in understanding the value of the outdoors, particularly its potential to develop the economies of rural communities.
“Rural economic development and outdoor recreation really go hand in hand,” said Chris Perkins, Vice President of Programs at ORR.
Panel discussions and presentations throughout the first day of the conference centered around the role of outdoor recreation in rural economic development and resiliency, community identity, jobs, and resilience. On the second day, attendees traveled to Johnstown to see firsthand how outdoor recreation is helping to support the economy and quality of life for communities.
In recent years, Pennsylvania has made historic investments in outdoor recreation. From building new trails to establishing the Commonwealth’s first statewide Office of Outdoor Recreation, people are realizing the potential to grow communities and establish healthy lifestyles.
In addition to the economic benefits, PEC approaches outdoor recreation with the mindset that getting more people outside fosters a sense of environmental stewardship. Charles Cooper of the Brumidi Group, a government relations firm focused policy related to outdoor recreation, climate change, and conservation, explained that people who get outside are also among the most in tune to the effects of environmental issues like rising temperatures and drought.
“People who love the outdoors, who hike and fish and bike and climb, they’re the first ones to see the actual impacts of climate change. They can feel it,” he said.
In this episode, we hear from experts on the outdoor recreation developments happening beyond Pennsylvania, and what we can learn from them.
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