Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council
Panel
About the Council
The Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council makes recommendations to the DNR and Natural Resources Commission (NRC) on ways to improve partnerships, collaborative strategies and policies that will increase the outdoor recreation economy, employment and consumer spending, and support conservation and public recreation assets. The council will also identify needs and opportunities for the sustainable growth of outdoor recreation, support and improve talent recruitment and retention, anticipate changing and developing trends in outdoor recreation, and connect recreation to healthy lifestyle benefits, placemaking efforts, public lands, trails, and conservation. Members are appointed jointly by the DNR director and NRC chair.
Contact:
Marc Miller
Outdoor Recreation Industry and Regional Initiatives Deputy
Phone: 517-284-6237
DNR-Outdoor-Rec@michigan.gov- Council Members
2018 Meeting Schedule
Public Listening Sessions
Talking with consumers, retailers and other outdoor enthusiasts is an important part of the council’s work. Throughout the next few months, the DNR will hold a series of public listening sessions. The sessions will help scope out issues and opportunities, and encourage dialogue on economic development, conservation, health and wellness, and access and relevancy. We will also ask for input and ideas on how to build better partnerships with outdoor recreation industry.
Can't attend a listening session? We still want to hear from you! Please use the button below to provide your input:
Dates and Locations
- Aug. 27 – U.P. Economic Development Alliance in Sault St. Marie (Completed)
- Sept. 14 – Escanaba (Completed)
- Jan. 9 – Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance in Houghton
More dates coming soon. For more details and to RSVP, please email DNR-Outdoor-Rec@michigan.gov.
Every year, millions of people participate in some form of outdoor recreation. A recent DNR study found that Michiganders spent 2.6 billion days a year enjoying these activities. For Michigan, that means $26.6 billion a year in consumer spending, with 232,000 jobs and $7.5 billion in wages and salaries, according to an Outdoor Industry Association study. In September 2018, the U.S. Department of Commerce released final statistics showing the country’s outdoor recreation economy accounted for 2.2 percent – or $412 billion – of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product in 2016.
Building better relationships and partnerships throughout the outdoor recreation industry will help create more awareness about the value of quality outdoor recreation opportunities and the natural resources and green spaces where many of those activities take place. Outdoor recreation has a real, positive impact on Michigan’s quality of life, economic prosperity and appeal as a destination for home, business and travel.
- Learn more about Michigan's outdoor recreation industry
ORAC members will recommend collaborative strategies and advise on supportive efforts to expand and grow the outdoor recreation economy and recreation opportunities throughout Michigan, as well as provide recommendations that support conservation and strengthen the business sector’s partnership with the Department of Natural Resources.
Members will also identify needs and opportunities for the sustainable growth of outdoor recreation, support and improve talent recruitment and retention, anticipate changing and developing trends in outdoor recreation, and connect recreation to healthy lifestyle benefits, placemaking efforts, public lands, trails, and conservation.
- Economic development
- Conservation and stewardship
- Education and workforce training
- Public health and awareness
