'We don't care about your political stripes when you're out enjoying the land': Outdoor recreation industry continues to grow

Gabe Vasquez is still optimistic.

The second term Congressman from southern New Mexico said during a webinar on the state of the outdoors industry last week that even with a change in leadership, he is confident outdoors-related legislation can pass.

"We had the single largest, greatest investment in conservation under the last Trump administration," Vasquez said. "That was a monumental lift that took sportsmen, small businesses, veterans and outdoor industry advocates. That, in turn, has created business opportunities for small business owners in rural communities like Silver City, Deming and Lordsburg."

A report last week from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis found that the outdoor recreation industry in 2023 had $1.2 trillion in economic impact and supported five million jobs. That amounts to about 2.3% of the country's gross domestic product.

New Mexico alone has a $3.2 billion outdoor recreation economy, which accounted for 2.4% of the state's GDP in 2023. The industry supported 29,182 jobs, said Chris Perkins, the vice president of programs at the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable.

Perkins credited New Mexico's growth in terms of outdoor recreation, in part, to the state's Outdoor Recreation Division, which is part of the Economic Development, Department.

“The latest BEA data reinforces what we’ve always known here in New Mexico — outdoor recreation doesn’t just support our economy; it uplifts our communities,” Karina Armijo, director of ORD in New Mexico said in a statement. “Investing in outdoor access and stewardship through programs like the Outdoor Equity Fund and Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant isn’t just about economic growth; it’s about fostering a healthier, more connected and resilient future for all New Mexicans. This industry continues to show how deeply intertwined our quality of life and natural spaces are with a thriving, sustainable economy.”

It was the seventh year the bureau has released a report on the outdoor recreation industry.

Outdoor recreation has been building momentum since the COVID-19 pandemic, said Jessica Turner, president of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable.

"The outdoor recreation industry is resilient," she said. "When governors shut things down ... and families had to really look at what's going to bring their quality of life back, they turned to recreation."

Vasquez, whose district includes White Sands National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Organ Mountain Desert Peaks National Monument, said lawmakers on both sides of the aisle during the last Trump administration passed the Great American Outdoors Act, which was signed into law. He said he was hopeful Congress could pass the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences, or EXPLORE, Act.

The package of policy measures is designed to boost rural economies, foster community and enhance Americans’ quality of life by improving access to public lands and recreational opportunities across the nation.

Vasquez, while trying to drum up support for the bill, touted his own district for its opportunities.

"We have unprecedented hunt and fishing opportunities, trails that will take you so far out into our nation's first wilderness in the Gila that you probably won't see a human for four or five days," he said. "There's not many places like that left in the country."

Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah, spoke with Vasquez during the webinar. Moore said he also remained hopeful that Republicans and Democrats can come together to improve the outdoor recreation economy.

"This industry, and I would relate in candidly to the defense industry, are some of the last bastions of bipartisan cooperation," he said.

Turner expressed optimism for more outdoor-related legislation in the coming years. She said that both Moore, and Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., shepherded key elements of the Great American Outdoors Act through Congress.

"There's no red or blue skier or hunter or biker when you're outside," she said.

The report found some emerging trends in the outdoor industry. Some of the areas of growth include:

● Bicycling up 11%

● Climbing/hiking/tent camping up 6%

● Hunting/shooting/trapping up 12%

● Snow activities up 23%

● Trips and travel up 7%

● Lodging up 9%

"Outdoor recreation is for everybody," Vasquez said. "We don't care about your political stripes when you're out enjoying the land."