Transforming the economy and local communities
New Mexico’s public lands and outdoor recreationists are poised to receive a significant boost from the Legislature this year if our elected officials opt to pass Senate Bill 462 — enthusiastically supported by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham — calling for the establishment of a the Outdoor Recreation Division within the Economic Development Department and an Outdoor Equity Grant Program and Fund (“Gov. backs outdoor recreation agency,” Feb. 6).
Not only will hikers, birders, sportsmen and wildlife stand to benefit from this bipartisan legislation, but there will be a boost to the overall New Mexico economy as we stake claim to a slice of the booming outdoor recreation economy.
New Mexico is uniquely positioned among Western states to capitalize on this growing segment of the U.S. economy. Our outdoor treasures span national parks and monuments, U.S. forests, Bureau of Land Management lands and more, positioning New Mexico to lead the nation in the outdoor recreation economy. It is time that we embrace our natural resources through the establishment of an Outdoor Recreation Division.
In addition, we must begin to develop cohesive strategies to maximize all that our state has to offer, while developing policies and incentives to attract ecotourism and the variety of outdoor businesses that are actively relocating to the West in areas where their products are used.
The benefits are clear, as the Bureau of Economic Analysis has confirmed: Outdoor recreation is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the U.S. economy and contributes 2.2 percent to the U.S. gross domestic product. Additionally, the Outdoor Industry Association says nationally it contributes $887 billion in spending, while in our state, it accounts for around $10 billion and 99,000 direct jobs. We should highlight and leverage these powerful numbers for the sake of all New Mexicans, and SB 462 positions our state to do exactly that.
The proposed legislation offers up $1.5 million to establish the new office and create an Outdoor Equity Fund to provide outdoor recreation opportunities for our state’s underserved children. And a new grant program will assist in funding muchneeded infrastructure improvements and project development to improve outdoor recreation amenities across the state.
Beyond the specified programs in the proposed legislation, the office could leverage outdoor recreation dollars with other revenue sources, reduce bureaucratic red tape, dismantle silos within state government and unify departmental operations through collaborative efforts.
For example, the office could begin to coordinate discussions between the New Mexico Tourism Department and communities in an effort to provide much-needed assistance to local offices struggling to maximize their outdoor recreation attractions and workforce recruitment. A new office also could integrate outdoor recreation economics and traditional economic development sectors, like agriculture and trade.
New Mexico enjoys a longstanding tradition of outdoor recreation and public land conservation. We as a community should do all that we can to continue this heritage by formalizing our efforts through an official Outdoor Recreation Division. And by creating an Outdoor Equity Fund to ensure the state’s neediest youth get to enjoy the health and education benefits of the outdoors, we can profit from this industry with equity.
I hope that you will join me in supporting our state, our people and our economy by letting your voice be heard with our elected officials to vote yes on SB 462.
The benefits are clear, as the Bureau of Economic Analysis has confirmed: Outdoor recreation is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the U.S. economy and contributes 2.2 percent to the U.S. gross domestic product.