Thrive Outside: Western North Carolina

THRIVE OUTSIDE WesterN North Carolina

Thrive Outside Western North Carolina is increasing opportunities for outdoor engagement and career development while responding to the evolving needs of the community in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Thrive Outside Western North Carolina is a regional initiative designed to build a collaborative and sustainable system that connects young people with regular and meaningful outdoor experiences. Rooted in the belief that time spent in nature supports healthy development and fosters lifelong learning, this effort seeks to create lasting pathways to the outdoors for youth across the region.

Thrive Outside Western North Carolina Community Partners
KEY FOCUS AREAS

Build collaborative infrastructure and shared leadership structures among partners.

Expand outdoor education programs that increase safety, competency, and confidence in outdoor settings.

Connect young adults to career pathways within the outdoor recreation economy through mentorship and skill-building opportunities.

Plan and implement a Thrive Outside Day in Western North Carolina to celebrate and expand outdoor access for youth and families

Host a regional convening of leaders working in youth engagement and the outdoor sector to strengthen collaboration and align efforts across the region

BACKBONE ORGANIZATION:

NC Outdoor Economy Office, NC Department of Commerce

STEERING COMMITTEE:

Asheville City Schools Foundation, The WORX Project, Latinos Aventureros

COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

A Special Thanks to our Main Funders

Ready to Thrive Outside?
Get In Touch

Lesford Duncan

Executive Director

lduncan@outdoorfoundation.org

Thrive Outside: Pittsburgh

THRIVE OUTSIDE Pittsburgh

Thrive Outside Pittsburgh is building a regional ecosystem that expands access to outdoor recreation, strengthens youth development pathways, and activates the region’s parks and public spaces as engines of social impact. Rooted in the belief that outdoor experiences are vital to physical health, emotional well-being, and lifelong learning, this initiative connects youth and families across Pittsburgh to regular, meaningful engagement with nature.

 

This effort unites city, county, and state agencies, educators, recreation providers, and community-based organizations to advance a shared vision: ensuring that all youth can confidently explore and thrive outdoors.

 

The initiative is structured around three interconnected committees that collectively drive systems-level change: the Youth Committee, which integrates exploratory outdoor education into school systems and bridges classroom experiences with afterschool and summer programming; the Regional Outdoor Recreation Committee, which aligns public agencies and partners to strengthen investment and coordination across the region’s recreation infrastructure; and the Events Committee, which cultivates public enthusiasm for outdoor recreation through community-facing experiences.

 

Together, these strategies are positioning Pittsburgh as a national model for how cross-sector collaboration can remove barriers, normalize outdoor engagement as part of healthy child development, and build a sustainable foundation for equitable access to nature for generations to come.

Thrive Outside Pittsburgh Community Ecosystem

BACKBONE ORGANIZATION
Outdoor Inclusion Coalition

STEERING COMMITTEE

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Pittsburgh Public Schools, Propel Charter Schools.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

Allegheny County Parks and Recreation, Allegheny County Parks Foundation, Ascend Climbing, Bike Pittsburgh, Butler County Parks and Recreation, City of Pittsburgh Parks and Recreation, Community Forge,Cycles for Change, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Environmental Charter School, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Pennsylvania Interscholastic, Cycling League, Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation, Ruach Bike Club, Southwestern Pennsylvania, Climbers Coalition (SWPACC), Venture Outdoors, Watersmiths Guild/SurfSup, Women and Girls Foundation of SWPA, Woods Room

Ready to Thrive Outside?
Get In Touch

Lesford Duncan

Executive Director

lduncan@outdoorfoundation.org

OIA 2025 Outdoor Footwear Report

Step Into the Data: Outdoor Footwear Market Trends

The Outdoor Footwear Report 2025 is the first of its kind, providing a focused analysis of trends within the outdoor footwear segment, focusing on the 150 million participants who are walking for fitness, running, trail running, or backpacking. The executive summary is a preview of the data available in the full report, leveraging sources like Circana, Civic Science, and RunRepeat to offer comprehensive insights into consumer behavior, sales patterns, and emerging opportunities. 

Download the Report>

 

Are you an OIA member?

Access the report: Click Here

 

 

OIA 2025 Outdoor Consumer Trends Report

Understand Today’s Consumers. Shape Tomorrow’s Strategy.

The outdoor consumer has changed. OIA’s 2025 Outdoor Consumer Trends Report reveals how casual and active lifestyle participants now drive over 90% of market spending. Whether you’re a retailer trying to drive in-store growth or a brand looking to design smarter, this free report is your strategic advantage.

Download the Trends Report>

 

Are you an oia member?

Access the report: Click Here

 

 

The only way out is through – together

A Letter from the Clean Chemistry and Materials Coalition Co-Chair, Taylor Ralph

October 17, 2024

Recently, as Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida, just weeks after Hurricane Helene traumatized much of the Southwest, my colleague and I spent most of a meeting—originally planned to review chemistry strategy—talking about what it means to be alive and doing this work. We wake up every day floating between immense gratitude and awe for this world, and despair for how we are devastating it. We are simultaneously completely devoted to the work it will take to sustain our environment for future generations, and hyper aware that the climate crisis has already arrived. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, isolated, defeated. 

Almost 20 years ago, when I walked into my first Environmental Studies class as an undergraduate freshman at UVM, my professor Stephanie Kaza took out a Tibetan singing bowl and led us in a prayer. The prayer taught us that to sustain the work, we would need to sustain ourselves and each other. She emphasized our interdependence and the intersectionality of what plagues us. I still remember how I admired her wisdom, knowing that her students would need to return to this lesson throughout their lives.  

Fast forward to this moment and I am so grateful for the community of practitioners that make it possible to stay engaged in this challenging work. I am especially grateful for the coordination and support from the Outdoor Industry Association that allows us to move towards solutions more quickly than if we were going it alone. On the CCMC Steering Committee we joke that what we’ve really formed is an Emotional Support Group. Beyond that, every OIA member that I have reached out to personally for support on particular topics has shown up and engaged enthusiastically. I hope anyone reading this knows that I am here to return the favor. 

All we have is now and each other. I hope to see you at the Catalyst Conference. Onwards! 

Taylor Ralph

Product Impact Lead for Environmental & Social Impact at Burton

Clean Chemistry and Materials Coalition Co-Chair

Shaping the Future of Outdoor Industry Gatherings

Dear OIA Members and Industry Partners, 

OIA is proud to stand at the heart of the outdoor industry, delivering resources and opportunities that drive our businesses and communities forward. Industry gatherings are essential to our shared success, and we are committed to leading the way. 

We have been actively engaged in broad discussions with many stakeholders about the future of industry gatherings. As a member-led collective, these conversations have been invaluable in shaping our vision for OIA’s role in convening the industry, and I want to take this opportunity to share our path forward.  

Our commitment to serve as a catalyst for connection:  

OIA Events: We will lead the industry with cornerstone events that create opportunities for collaboration, community, and action. Our sold-out inaugural sustainability Catalyst Conference this November provides the industry with an opportunity to innovate solutions for people, product, and the planet. We are in the planning phase for next spring’s Capitol Summit in Washington, D.C ., to use our outside voices to save outdoor companies money, fuel innovation, invest in recreation, expand outdoor access for all, and protect our environment. 

Strategic Partnerships: With great enthusiasm, yesterday we announced our new partnership with Switchback to grow an event that can deliver multiple benefits to a wide range of outdoor industry members. OIA will also partner with other organizations where the industry and our members gather to deliver content that drives growth and opportunities for engagement through education sessions, existing OIA programs, and new initiatives. 

 OIA’s mission remains clear: We’re a passionate group of business leaders, sustainability experts, policymakers, and outdoor enthusiasts committed to business growth and innovation while protecting—and growing access to—the benefits of the outdoors for everyone. Our team is excited about the opportunities ahead and is dedicated to leading our industry with the vision, resources, and commitment you have come to expect from us.  

Join the Conversation: From the timing of events to the content they deliver, we aim to shape gatherings that bring value to all members and reflect the voices and needs of our entire community. We value your insights and encourage you to share your thoughts on our future direction. Click here to provide your feedback and help shape the future of our industry. 

 

Together we are a force, 

Kent Ebersole 
President, Outdoor Industry Association