The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) joins federal, state and nonprofit partners across the U.S. in celebrating June as Great Outdoors Month. The month was proclaimed nationally under a resolution led by Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) to celebrate outdoor recreation and its contributions to the nation.
“Great Outdoors Month 2023 begins with the outdoor recreation industry joining together and urging Congress to pass America’s Outdoor Recreation Act and help more of us enjoy the outdoors and grow the $862 billion outdoor recreation economy,” said Jessica Turner, ORR president. “While we will take time to celebrate the outdoors and all the benefits that come from it this month, the outdoor recreation industry is also focused on ensuring all Americans have access to the outdoors and feel welcomed. There is no better time than Great Outdoors Month to make meaningful progress on these issues and more. Join us in getting outside and helping others do the same.”
Bills in the act are helping Americans gain access to the outdoors, ORR said, by ensuring green spaces are available to underserved communities, completing trails and lending economic help to outdoor guides and outfitters. The programs do not impact taxpayers.
ORR is sponsoring outdoor recreation-related provisions within the upcoming Farm Bill intended to bolster local communities’ outdoor recreation economies.
The month began as Great Outdoors Week and has been proclaimed by every president since 1998. Events happening this month include the Great American Campout on June 24, coordinated by the National Wildlife Federation, and National Marina Days—a summer-long event arranged by the Association of Marina Industries.
