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Topic/Keyword: Participation

Outdoor Retailer Industry Lunch: A Look at the Past, Present, and Future of Public Lands

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Live Date: Friday, June 10, 2022

The protection of lands and waters is foundational to the outdoor industry. From the creation and protection of national monuments to the development of neighborhood parks, it is essential to ensure that all Americans and our future generations are guaranteed the physical and mental health benefits of outdoor recreation. Time and time again, outdoor companies have united to raise our industry’s voice in defense of public lands and waters when they have come under threat. Under the current Congress and the Biden administration, the industry is at an important crossroads, with ample opportunities to demonstrate the importance of these lands and accessibility: from the consideration of a public lands package to the implementation of America the Beautiful, an ambitious proposal to conserve 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030. What role can the industry play to ensure that these pivotal opportunities yield a more equitable, accessible outdoors and ensure a thriving future for the planet? How can we continue to integrate lessons learned from the history of public lands and inequities, the traditional indigenous knowledge and practices in stewardship, and the stories of underrepresented communities to ensure that public lands are developed and maintained for all Americans in the years to come? 

Join OIA for an informative discussion with key stakeholders, industry leaders, and representatives from Washington, D.C., to reflect on the history of public lands in America; the tools and innovations Congress and the administration may use to create new, shared spaces; and the opportunities to make a difference in 2022. 

Moderator: Richard W. Harper, Jr., Director of Government Affairs, Outdoor Industry Association 

Panelists:

Shoren Brown, Interim Executive Director, The Conservation Alliance

Theresa Conn, Director of Sustainability, NEMO Equipment

Ángel Peña, Executive Director, Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project

Madeleine West, Director, Center for Public Lands, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

Bill Lee, Senior Vice President for Policy, Advocacy and Government Relations, Trust for Public Lands (Virtual)

 Joel Moffet, Director of Environmental and Special Projects, Native Americans in Philanthropy (Virtual)

Outdoor Retailer Education Session: State of The Outdoor Market Summer 2022

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Live Date: Thursday, June 9, 2022

Join OIA for a presentation on participation in outdoor activities, consumer trends in outdoor, supply chain disruptions, pandemic-to-endemic outdoor habits, and consumer perspectives. Learn what the data is telling us about supply and demand, increased diversity across the participation base, the new consumer journey into the outdoor market, and what opportunities lie ahead of us post-pandemic. Kelly Davis, Director of Research for OIA, will discuss business, participation, buying behaviors and social trends and how they impact the outdoor market.  Expect to walk away from this session with a clear view of current activity in the outdoor market and to know what the future likely has in store for outdoor market players over the next year.

Presenter: Kelly Davis, Director of Research, Outdoor Industry Association

Outdoor Retailer Industry Lunch: Collective Impact in Action

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Live Date: Thursday, June 9, 2022

Through community investment and groundbreaking research, the Outdoor Foundation’s Thrive Outside Initiative works with partners across the country to address outdoor equity barriers and help make the outdoors accessible for all. The collective impact model is the foundation upon which the Thrive Outside Initiative is built. Collective impact brings people together—in a structured way—to achieve social change.

Learn how the Outdoor Foundation and our Thrive Outside Communities are working to integrate the collective impact model to drive equity and systems change in the outdoors. Panelists will share their experiences working through a collective impact model, connecting youth and families from historically marginalized communities with nature, and addressing the outdoor equity barriers that exist in communities.

Moderator: Jacob Fisher, Program Coordinator, Outdoor Foundation

Panelists:

Akiima Price, Director, Thrive Outside Washington D.C.

Heather Rossetti, Manager, Thrive Outside San Diego

2022 Outdoor Industry Workforce Assessment

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The Outdoor Industry Workforce Assessment looks to identify major trends in workforce hiring and retention, help further educational and up-skilling initiatives, and provide a snapshot of where the industry stands in its efforts to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion. Key findings from the survey include the following:
  • New hires: The industry expects to hire for a high volume of entry and skilled professional positions over the next year.
  • Work/life balance: Outdoor companies are prioritizing flexible work arrangements and work-life balance as attraction and retention strategies ahead of employee benefits and financial rewards.
  • Qualified applicants: 66% of survey respondents report having difficulty finding qualified applicants. The largest barriers to recruiting hard-to-fill jobs are finding qualified applicants, and lack of affordable housing options proximal to the job location.
  • Increasing DEI: Companies who have a diversity plan in place are utilizing a wide variety of methods and tactics to achieve their goals. However, companies that do not currently have a diversity plan in place largely do not plan to implement one or do not know where to start.
Read key takeaways from the report and areas of opportunity for organizations and the outdoor industry here. The Outdoor Industry Workforce Assessment was conducted by Oregon State University’s Center for the Outdoor Recreation Economy with input and support from Outdoor Industry Association, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, Basecamp Outdoor, Path to Peak Education + Consulting, and the Confluence of States. Financial support for the development and execution of this survey was provided by a grant from The VF Foundation.

2021 Outdoor Foundation Annual Report

Read the Outdoor Foundation’s 2021 Annual Report to see evidence of the transformational impact our network delivers, insights from our 2021 research reports, and success stories from our partners across the country.

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2022 Special Report on Fishing

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Recreational fishing is a vibrant part of America’s outdoor tradition, promoting wellness, fostering bonding with family and friends, and forging a deep connection with nature, particularly amid COVID-19 related limitations. Whether fishing on lakes, rivers, streams, or seas; from shorelines, boats, or embankments; millions of Americans were united in 2021 by the love of fishing. Using 15 years of fishing participation data, the Outdoor Foundation and the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) partnered to produce the Special Report on Fishing for the 12th consecutive year. This report provides a comprehensive look at overall trends in participation, as well as detailed information on specific fishing categories. Insights include motivations, barriers, and preferences of key groups. Special sections are dedicated to youth, Hispanic Americans, and females—populations we must engage, activate, and retain to ensure future growth. Key findings from the report include the following:
  • In 2021, 52.4 million Americans went fishing, up 4.5% over 2019.
  • 12.9 million youth (ages 6-17) went fishing in 2021, up 14% over 2019.
  • 4.7 million Hispanics fished in 2021, up 7% over 2019.
  • 19.4 million women went fishing in 2021, up 8% over 2019.
  • 86% of current fishing participants first fished before age 12, demonstrating the critical importance of introducing fishing at a young age.
  • Americans primarily fished to enjoy the splendor of nature while escaping the usual demands of life.
 

Outdoor Retailer Industry Lunch: Engage Into Action With The Outdoorist Oath

The recently announced “Outdoorist Oath” is a new way for ALL people to engage in supporting a thriving planet and thriving people. Watch our panel from Outdoor Retailer Snow Show 2022 to learn more about this action plan to advocate for the planet, inclusion, and adventure. This session provides an in-depth look at why The Oath is necessary and what the founders, Teresa Baker, Jose Gonzàléz and Pattie Gonia with support from their executive director, Gabaccia Moreno, are aiming to achieve through the Oath. Learn more about how you can engage with the Oath now and in the future.

Moderator: Jacob Fisher, Program Coordinator, Outdoor Foundation

Panelists:
Teresa Baker, In Solidarity Project Founder, Chief Trouble Maker and Oath Co-Founder
Jose Gonzalez, Founder at Latino Outdoors, Educator, Creative, Facilitator and Oath Co-Founder
Pattie Gonia, Professional Homosexual, Intersectional Environmentalist, Drag Queen and Oath Co-Founder
Gabaccia Moreno, Conservationist, Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project, and Oath Executive Director

Thank You For Celebrating National Thrive Outside Day

Thanks to our community partners and participants, Thrive Outside Day events were a success nationwide! Communities in Atlanta, Grand Rapids, Maine, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, San Diego, St. Louis and Twin Cities celebrated the transformative benefits of the outdoors through activities ranging from outdoor programming and skill development sessions to social media takeovers. See highlights from each event below.

 

ATLANTA: November 13th

Hosted in partnership with the city of Atlanta, Thrive Outside Day was hosted at Cliff Park and coincided with the local Outdoor Rec Festival. Over 200 people were in attendance!

Learn more about Thrive Outside Atlanta

 

 

GRAND RAPIDS: October 11 and 16th
Grand Rapids celebrated its new Gear Share Library with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a day of outdoor activities and outdoor skill development using gear-share equipment from the library.
Learn more about Thrive Outside Grand Rapids

 

 

 

MAINE: October 9th
The Nature Based Education Consortium celebrated Thrive Outside Day virtually! They invited Mainers to share stories and pictures of the diverse ways they like to #ThriveOutside. See what they had to say and learn more about Thrive Outside Maine here.

 

 

 

OKLAHOMA CITY: October 2nd

Oklahoma City celebrated its Thrive Outside Day with kayaking activities, a Thrive Outside Kayak League race, nature-based activities and outdoor skill-development sessions.

Partners for the event and programming included RIVERSPORT Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma County, Boy Scouts Last Frontier Council, OK State Parks, Scissortail Park and Threshold Climbing.  Learn more about Thrive Outside Oklahoma City

 

PHILADELPHIA: October 16th

Thrive Outside Greater Philadelphia partner Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership hosted National Thrive Outside Day 2021. Neighbors from the area gathered for a We Walk stroll on the Circuit Trail in Tacony Creek Park, a beautiful green space that follows the Tacony Creek on its way to the Delaware River. Participants bird-watched, looked for animal tracks, and learned about the trees that provide food and shelter for wildlife. After the walk, participants gathered over a healthy breakfast and enjoyed special outdoor giveaways.

Learn more about Thrive Outside Philadelphia

 

SAN DIEGO: October 9-10th
Hosted at Imperial Beach in partnership with US Fish and Wildlife, Thrive Outside Day in San Diego coincided with Walk for the Wild. Local youth participated in paddleboarding and leadership development events.

Learn more about Thrive Outside San Diego

 

 

ST. LOUIS: October 2nd
Hosted in partnership with Jack and Jill of America, the St. Louis Thrive Outside community embarked on a half-day canoe trip, culminating at the St. Louis riverfront in front of Gateway Arch National Park, where participants were greeted by local elected leaders.

Learn more about Thrive Outside St. Louis

 

 

TWIN CITIES: October 9th

Wilderness Inquiry, The Loppet Foundation and REI gathered to celebrate Thrive Outside Day on October 9th at Theodore Wirth Park – The Trailhead. Parkgoers were able to learn more about the Thrive Outside Initiative, and share their thoughts on the benefits of time spent in nature and how to best address the barriers that prevent equitable access to outdoor spaces and experiences.

Learn more about Thrive Outside Twin Cities

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