Here’s a re-cap of some of the noteworthy recreation economy stories from the past month. 

Outdoor recreation economy continues to grow in Washington
National trade association calculates $26.2 billion in statewide annual economic impact

New Statewide Collaborative Focuses On Vermont’s Outdoor Recreation Economy
Recreation businesses involving activities such as skiing, hiking, mountain biking and boating bring a lot of money into Vermont. But until now there hasn’t been an organized effort to bring all of those businesses together and possibly provide some organized state support.

Training the next generation of designers
Utah State University establishes an all-star advisory board for its outdoor product design program.

New Study Reveals the 10 Most “Outdoorsy” States in the Country
The National Recreation Economy Report goes as far as to rank the “most outdoorsy” states, based on the percentage of the population of each state that participates in outdoor recreation activities, from camping and trail-related activities to off-roading and snowsports. All of the top ten “most outdoorsy” states also happened to rank in the top 20 of Gallup and Healthways state-by-state well-being report.

Outdoors Spending By State: Surprises From OIA Report
Outdoor recreation spending in the United States is valued at $887 billion. But state by state spending figures, released last week by the OIA, reveal some surprises.

As Interior Secretary Swaggers Through Parks, His Staff Rolls Back Regulations
Their work has been swift. Mr. Zinke’s staff on Tuesday filed a legal proposal to rescind the nation’s first safety regulation on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. They are exploring a proposal to loosen safety rules on underwater drilling equipment put in place after the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. They have rolled back an Obama-era order to block coal mining on public lands and delayed carrying out a regulation controlling emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, from oil and gas wells.

Want a Simpler Pass System? Take This Survey
Have you ever driven to a trailhead only to realize that you don’t have the correct recreation access pass, such as the Northwest Forest Pass or Discover Pass, in your glove box? Have you dreamed of a simpler or more equitable system?
Now is your chance to speak up.

These 5 States Spend the Most on the Outdoors
The Outdoor Industry Association estimates that Americans spend $887 billion on recreation each year. Here’s how much each of the 50 states contributes.

Marketing to Baby Boomers: Is the outdoor industry overlooking a lucrative generation of enthusiasts?
There’s a lot of talk about marketing to millennials, but don’t forget the boomers! They still have tremendous buying power.

Ten Women Leading the Outdoor Industry—and Their View of the Future
At the recent Women’s Outdoor Summit for Empowerment, we talked to outdoor enthusiasts and change-makers about the future of the industry