Western Outdoor Recreation Working Group Launches Collaborative Effort
The West’s trails, rivers, and open skies are more than scenic backdrops; they’re economic lifelines and cultural touchstones. That’s why a new coalition of experts, the Western Outdoor Recreation Working Group, is joining forces to ensure outdoor recreation continues to strengthen communities across the region.
Their first meeting on September 9, 2025, brought together a wide mix of voices: agritourism specialists from Montana, trail trainers from Utah, economic analysts from California, tourism advocates from New Mexico, and recreation leaders from Alaska’s rural frontier. Facilitated by Jake Powell (Utah State University) and Ahsan Kibria (Western Rural Development Center), the group’s goal is clear: turn shared experience into regional impact.
Members quickly identified three priorities:
- Build connections: Share successful models and on-the-ground solutions.
- Collaborate on research: Partner across states to pursue grants and data projects.
- Raise visibility: Champion the role of Extension and Land-Grant Universities in driving outdoor-based economies.
The group plans to meet quarterly, expand membership to Oregon and Washington, and move forward with a WRDC seed-grant project on outdoor recreation metrics.
Together, they’re shaping a future where the West’s natural spaces remain not just wild – but thriving, sustainable, and central to community life.
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