In November 2022, members of the NET Design Team led an outdoor recreation networking meeting that resulted in the creation of the National Extension Outdoor Recreation Working Group. The working group officially launched with its first meeting on February 8, 2023, and plans to meet quarterly.
To be notified of future working group calls, sign up for the NEORWG mailing list!
This page is the online home for this group. On this page, you will find:
- A map of working group members, below, who have entered their programs into the online inventory.
- Resources shared during the quarterly calls, including slides, meeting notes, and chats.
- Links to current USDA efforts in the Outdoor Recreation Economies space.
Learn more about NET’s efforts in Outdoor Recreation via two case statements:
“Engaging the Outdoor Recreation Sector’s Growth” (PDF)
Written February 2023 by NET Design Team members and Working Group Leads:
Doug Arbogast, West Virginia University Extension
Jake Powell, Utah State University Extension
“The Outdoor Recreation Economy and Cooperative Extension: An Opportunity to Address a Growing Need in the Nation’s Communities” (PDF)
Written April 2024 by NEORWG Steering Committee Members: Xinyi Qian, University of Minnesota Tourism Center; Ann Savage, North Carolina State University; Gwynn Stewart, The Ohio State University Extension; Aaron Wilcher, University of California Cooperative Extension; and, Kristen Devlin, Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development. It draws on the earlier version (see above) written by Doug Arbogast, West Virginia University, and Jake Powell, Utah State University.
Get on the map!
Get on the outdoor recreation networking map to connect with colleagues across the country. The map below shows locations of working group participants who already entered their programs. You can visit the map here, and fill out this survey to add your own program.
Resources from quarterly Working Group calls
- Slides from the May 30, 2023 call (PDF)
- Resources from the February 8, 2023 call (zipped file containing slides, chat notes, Menti results)
Working group members responded to a survey about opportunities to engage with the outdoor recreation sector and capacity to do so:
USDA resources related to the Recreation Economies
- NEW: Recording of the Panel Discussion on the USDA Memorandum of Understanding held during the 2023 NET Conference and Presented by Toby Bloom (USFS); Sarah Rocker (NIFA); and Terry McDermott (RD).
- Press Release: USDA to Create Plan to Expand Recreation Economies and Help People Thrive Across Rural America
- Interagency Memorandum of Understanding on Supporting the Nation’s Outdoor Recreation Economy (PDF)
- USDA Rural Development Guide on Recreation Economy at USDA Economic Development Resources for Rural Communities (PDF)