PCC Staff
DES MOINES— Today, Governor Kim Reynolds released the
final report from the Iowa Outdoor Recreation Task Force, which was established to help guide the newly created Iowa Office of Outdoor Recreation and identify opportunities to grow Iowa’s outdoor recreation economy.
The Iowa Office of Outdoor Recreation Task Force was established by
Executive Order 19 to bring together leaders from across the outdoor recreation industry and identify opportunities to grow the sector through stronger public-private collaboration, economic development and tourism.
“Iowa has tremendous outdoor recreation assets, and we have an opportunity to put them to work in even bigger ways for our communities, businesses and families,” Gov. Reynolds said. “The task force looked beyond recreation alone and identified ways these assets can support economic development, tourism, workforce attraction and quality of life. The recommendations give the new Office of Outdoor Recreation a practical roadmap for bringing partners together, building on what Iowa already does well and unlocking new opportunities for growth.”
The task force included representatives from Iowa businesses, local government, conservation, parks and recreation, outfitters and outdoor recreation organizations, with staff from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa Economic Development Authority.
The report identifies opportunities to advance Iowa’s outdoor recreation economy and better connect existing assets with tourism and economic development. Among the recommendations, the task force calls for:
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Developing a five-year statewide outdoor recreation plan to establish shared priorities, assess Iowa’s assets and competitive position and provide measurable goals for the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
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Strengthening public-private partnerships and outdoor recreation businesses, including the creation of a statewide business network that can connect manufacturers, retailers, outfitters and other private-sector partners with communities and economic development opportunities.
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Elevating Iowa’s outdoor recreation brand through greater coordination among state agencies and public and private partners, collaborative marketing, and campaigns focused on the outdoor recreation experiences where Iowa can compete most effectively.
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Exploring Iowa-specific opportunities for growth, including the intersection of agritourism and outdoor recreation and a more strategic approach to attracting regional and national outdoor recreation events.
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Connecting outdoor recreation to health, education and workforce development, including resources designed to help communities address barriers to participation and increase access to outdoor recreation experiences for Iowa students.
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