The inaugural Outdoor Recreation Summit brought together more than 250 representatives from state agencies, nonprofits, local governments, and the private sector to showcase Alabama’s leadership in outdoor recreation.
Held at the Lake Guntersville State Park, the summit highlighted the outdoor recreation industry as not only an economic engine but also its role in workforce development.
“Outdoor recreation is a big contributor to the state’s economy,” he said. “It generates about $6.6 billion in annual revenue, and provides about 65,000 jobs. So it’s a major sector in our state’s economy.”
Those 65,000 jobs generate $3 billion in wages and salaries, according to the Outdoor Industry Association.
McLemore said outdoor recreation is also a driving force in workforce development.
“For Innovate Alabama, it’s a huge driver for talent attraction and retention,” he said. “We think it’s a big differentiator in how we position our state to detect talent and entrepreneurs of the future.”
The summit drew key players and quite a few recognizable names to explore pathways to investment in outdoor recreation through infrastructure and fostering business growth.
Marie Bostick, executive director of the Land Trust of North Alabama, was a featured panelist at the event.
“It’s really just a great opportunity for everybody that’s involved in outdoor recreation,” she said. “And then from my perspective, a lot of trail advocates as well, to get together and just talk and network.
“I get to find out what’s going on throughout the state and get re-energized, truthfully.”
The Land Trust oversees 10,000 acres in seven counties with more than 100 miles of public trails.
“More people are learning that we have the fourth-most biodiversity in the country, but that itself was not known by many people until recently,” said Bostick. “The unsettling part is that we’re also second in the country for most species lost.”
Bostick said there is an urgency to bring awareness to the natural beauty and biodiversity of the state while also managing rapid growth.
“We’re going to grow, which is important, but we need to make sure we do it in a way that we do preserve and protect those very special places that make this home,” she said.
Building on the success of this year’s inaugural event, McLemore said they hope to make the summit an annual celebration of Alabama’s outdoors.
“We hope to make it annual,” he said. “I think due to the success of today, that’s something that we’ll be looking at doing moving forward.”
Courtesy of 256 Today
