Washington, D.C. (April 15, 2025) — In a recent letter to Congress, Outdoor Alliance and 74 partners representing the outdoor recreation community addressed the issue of insufficient funding for outdoor recreation on America’s public lands. This issue has been compounded by recent hiring freezes and widespread layoffs at the Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), followed by years of declining funding at land management agencies. The letter specifically calls on lawmakers to fully fund recreation budgets in its Fiscal Year 2026 budget, asking Congress to fund BLM’s Recreation Resources Management program at $100 million and the Forest Service’s Recreation, Heritage, and Wilderness at $70 million.
In 2024, a record 175.8 million Americans ventured outdoors (2024 Outdoor Trends Report Executive Summary, Outdoor Industry Association) a significant increase in recreation visits over the past two decades and another reason Congress needs to support the national outdoor recreation economy. Outdoor recreation as a whole contributed $1.2 trillion to America’s economy, supported 5 million jobs, and accounted for 2.3% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product in 2023 (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, BEA 24-53, Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account, U.S. and States, 2023 (2024). The letter points out that funding is vital to improve the visitor experience on public lands and is necessary to help both agencies implement the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE Act), legislation passed through Congress unanimously in December 2024.
EXPLORE, is a first-of-its-kind package of outdoor recreation policy that would improve and expand outdoor access on America’s public lands in many ways, including creating more long-distance bike trails, safeguarding climbing in Wilderness, streamlining recreational permitting for guides and outfitters, expanding public/private partnerships for recreation infrastructure, and increased programs for youth, veterans, and service members. Without adequate funding, land management agencies will not be able to implement these directives, and Americans will not be able to realize the full benefits of this historic bipartisan legislation.
“Issues related to public safety, parking, trash, unwanted fire starts, erosion, and other maintenance issues are all concerns that will directly impact the visitor experience as a result of the funding declines at both BLM and USFS. Additionally, these cuts have delayed partner-led efforts to complete recreation infrastructure projects, such as trail systems due to a lack of capacity by agency staff — bottlenecking outside resources that could be deployed in supporting public lands,” said Jamie Ervin, Senior Policy Manager at Outdoor Alliance.
“The outdoor recreation economy is a powerful engine for job creation and economic growth nationwide, and it relies on well-resourced public land agencies to thrive. If Congress is serious about supporting jobs, local businesses, and healthy communities, it must prioritize investment in the recreation programs of the Department of the Interior, Forest Service, and BLM. These aren’t just budget lines, they are the foundation of the outdoor economy,” said Kent Ebersole, President of the Outdoor Industry Alliance (OIA).
“At NEMO, we build gear to help people connect with nature — but those experiences rely on well-managed public lands. Without investment in recreation infrastructure and staffing, we risk degrading the very places that inspire our customers and our mission. Congress has a chance to ensure these treasured landscapes remain welcoming and accessible for generations to come,” said Theresa McKenney, Director of Sustainability and Government Affairs, NEMO.
“Public lands managed by the Forest Service and BLM are a cornerstone of the bikepacking experience across the country, offering incredible opportunities for adventure, inspiration, and solitude. Without adequate funding and staffing, the opportunity to experience these cherished places responsibly, and the health of the landscapes themselves are increasingly at risk. We’re proud to stand with Outdoor Alliance and others in calling on Congress to invest in the future of sustainable recreation on our public lands,” said Noelle Battle, Executive Director at Bikepacking Roots.
“Our nation’s rivers and public lands are seeing record visitation, but agency budgets haven’t kept pace. Without adequate staffing and funding at BLM and the Forest Service, even basic river access, signage, and maintenance suffer—putting safety and recreation at risk. We’re proud to join Outdoor Alliance in urging Congress to invest in the infrastructure that sustains outdoor experiences for millions of Americans,” said Evan Stafford, Communications Director at American Whitewater.
Along with Outdoor Alliance, 74 other organizations are calling on lawmakers to fully fund recreation and are included in this letter.
To learn more, please visit www.outdooralliance.org.
About Outdoor Alliance
Outdoor Alliance is the only organization in the U.S. that unites the voices of outdoor enthusiasts to conserve public lands. A nonprofit coalition comprised of 10 national advocacy organizations, Outdoor Alliance’s members include American Whitewater, the American Canoe Association, Access Fund, the International Mountain Bicycling Association, Winter Wildlands Alliance, the Mountaineers, the American Alpine Club, the Mazamas, the Colorado Mountain Club, and the Surfrider Foundation. By working with its member coalitions and helping mobilize the involvement of individuals to protect public lands and waters, OA helps ensure public lands are managed in a way that embraces the human-powered experience. Outdoor Alliance — conservation powered by outdoor recreation. Learn more at OutdoorAlliance.org.
##