Overview

The Kentucky Conservation Committee supports sustainable outdoor recreation with a focus on natural areas (see our Land and Water page here). Robust and well-designed, well-managed outdoor recreation programs are essential for enlisting supporters and engaged stakeholders for the procurement and sustainable management of public lands.

The outdoor recreation economy consists of $887 billion in consumer spending and 7.6 million American jobs.

At the same time, funding for our state-based natural lands through the Heritage Land Conservation Fund (the only state fund earmarked for public lands), has declined around 70% in the past decade. (see more here).

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) estimates wildlife-related recreation produces a total economic impact of $5.98 billion per year.

Legislative Issues

There are several legislative approaches to promoting outdoor recreation and protecting public lands, including:

• Developing grant programs to provide outdoor educationfor underserved youth, such as Washington’s No Child Left Inside program.

• Engaging with Federal and state agencies, such as the EPA’s Recreation Economies for Rural Communities program.

• Creating a state Offce of Outdoor Recreation to coordinate industry and opportunities.

• Designating a special day as “Public Lands Day.”

• Increasing access to parks, including free entry to state parks.

• Fully funding the Heritage Land Conservation Fund which has declined steadily over the past 10 years.

Resources

The Outdoor Recreation Economy, from the Outdoor Industry Association, 2017

The Explore Kentucky Initiative

Inspiring Connections Outdoors

The National Caucus of Environmental Legislators Website on Outdoor Recreation

The National Caucus of Environmental Legislators Outdoor Rec Fact Sheet.

Outdoor Industries Association State and Local Issues Website

Outdoor Industries Association- Kentucky

Kentucky Department of Tourism Outdoor Recreation page

Kentucky Adventure Tourism Map