California’s Golden Opportunity

In California, we possess an economy that rivals most nations. Last year our state rose in the rankings from being the sixth largest economy in the world to the fifth. This is largely due to the many sectors that our state leads the nation and world including agriculture, technology and entertainment. But there is one sector where we lead that does not get the utilization or recognition it deserves – outdoor recreation.

Our state is home to outdoor recreation industry giants such as Patagonia, The North Face, Marmot and Specialized Bicycles? In fact, over $92 billion comes into our state’s economy each year through our outdoor sector – resulting in the creation of 690,000 jobs. California is also home to over 49 million square miles of protected lands. Imagine if there were a way to harness this mammoth industry, abundant natural lands and the passionate creativity of our state’s outdoor advocacy and non-profit organizations to reap great economic and social benefits? That is what my AB 1111 will do.

AB 1111 will create the state’s first Office of Outdoor Recreation, which would set up an advisory committee composed of industry leaders, non-profits and advocates who would collaborate on enhancing tourism and economic growth and educational opportunities, advancing land conservation and stewardship, recommending policies, promoting the holistic health benefits that outdoor recreation brings and improving the accessibility and experience for all users of California’s truly great outdoors.

While this bill presents a fresh approach, it actually isn’t a new proposal. Eleven other states currently have their own Offices of Outdoor Recreation or administrative positions that perform the same role. In each of these instances, the results speak for themselves. For example, Colorado, which has a population of 5.8 million residents (1/7th that of California) and a smaller public lands footprint than our state, enjoys $28 billion in economic activity involving the outdoors. That’s more than double the economic activity on a per person basis than that of the Golden State, success that can be attributed to the work of its Office of Outdoor Recreation.

There are immense health, wellness and civic benefits that outdoor recreation brings. Many residents of the 43rd are within just a few miles of amenities such as Griffith Park, Deukmejian Wilderness Park, parts of the Los Angeles River, the Rosemont Preserve and Flintridge Trails. Our district includes a large portion of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, a resource that needs promotion of its recreational opportunities. Our district’s parks are great examples of what is possible when groups comprising a diverse range of stakeholders, including business leaders, non-profits, and local governments, work together to improve the accessibility and quality of the amenities.

California is the most diverse state in the country and it is in our heritage to connect all people to the outdoors. The Office of Outdoor Recreation will serve to facilitate more engagement in the outdoors with communities of color. The work of the office is about making it possible for all to live their best life utilizing our outdoors, no matter who they are, where they live and play, or what inspired them to get outside. The Outdoor Recreation office will leverage the outdoor economy to have a focus on equity and ensuring these opportunities are inclusive for everyone.

In addition to benefiting our state as a whole, an Office of Outdoor Recreation would bring economic opportunities to parts of our state that need it most. Many of our state’s most astonishing natural lands, which have great potential to attract tourists from around the world, are in rural areas that have been struggling to keep up with our changing economy and industries. For example, the counties of Shasta, Modoc, and Alpine would benefit from the office’s assistance and promotion of their natural resources as they work to transition from resource extraction-based economies to tourism-based economies.

We have so much to be grateful for in California: beautiful natural lands, robust business sectors, a culture that values health and equity and a willingness to work together. Our natural lands offer great, untapped opportunities. I would hate to miss the potential for economic growth coupled with environmental stewardship. I hope my colleagues in Sacramento feel the same and support AB 1111.

  laura friedman