NM Outdoor Rec Office passes the test
Unified voice needed to promote the uniqueness of our state
New Mexico is one of the most stunningly diverse states in the union, offering towering alpine mountains, miles of piñon forests and desert mosaics that dazzle the eye. Our outdoor treasures span national parks and monuments, U.S. forests, BLM lands and more, positioning New Mexico to lead the nation in the outdoor recreation economy. And yet, we’re not leading — we lack a unified voice to advocate for opportunities from outdoor access and investment to youth engagement, and the corresponding public and economic health benefits that come with a stronger recreation industry.
The Albuquerque Journal is correct in its assertion Sen. Jeff Steinborn’s and Rep. Nathan Small’s idea to create a state office of outdoor recreation deserves thoughtful discussion. I believe this discussion should focus on how best to organize, not whether to do it — because as the Bureau of Economic Analysis just confirmed, outdoor recreation is one of the fastest growing sectors of the U.S. economy and contributes 2.2 percent to the U.S. GDP. Meanwhile, Outdoor Industry Association says nationally it contributes $887 billion in spending, while in our state it accounts for $10 billion and 99,000 direct jobs. N.M. should take advantage of this.
In the (Sept. 22) editorial, the Journal asks why existing agencies (and) personnel cannot accomplish the goals of the newly proposed office. I get that but challenge the idea because an office of outdoor recreation here, if done right, could serve to increase these outdoor recreation economy contributions and reduce bureaucracy, break down silos within our state government and help unify departments to share information, ideas and collaborate for New Mexico. For example the office could work with the tourism office and local chambers to help local communities leverage their local outdoor recreation activities with our unique quality of life to increase workforce recruitment. Utah did this to attract tech firms. A new office could also integrate outdoor recreation economics and traditional economic development sectors, like agriculture and trade. Wyoming did this with its 20-year Economic Diversification Strategy. The office could pull information and expertise from local and national sources to collaborate on solutions to existing challenges. Again, Utah’s office did this in advocating for an increase in the transient room tax to fund the Outdoor Recreation Grant Program. The possibilities are endless.
As we have seen recently, national outdoor brands are looking west more and more, notably exemplified by VF Corp — parent company of recognizable brands like The North Face — moving its headquarters and bringing 800 jobs to Denver. This is due in large part to the fact that companies want to emulate the outdoor image their products evoke and attract employees who live the outdoor lives their products promote. There is no reason New Mexico, with our outdoor recreation opportunities, solid transportation system — with much less traffic than Colorado’s front range — and overall quality of life cannot compete with surrounding states.
Perhaps the most vital role of a state office of outdoor recreation would be making it a major edict to promote the health effects of recreating outdoors. Working in tandem with communities, schools, neighborhoods and families, the office could coordinate messaging campaigns and activities to get more youth engaged in the outdoors and active, reducing obesity and helping to enrich lives.
As New Mexicans, we are proud of our state, we do things our own way and we find our own solutions. That said, there is plenty to learn from other states about why they have created their own offices of outdoor recreation. A New Mexico office of outdoor recreation can and should be created in a manner that showcases the uniqueness of our state and the strength and diversity of our outdoors and people.