A Governors' Initiative to Promote the West and Bolster Our Economies

Our Western states have long captured the hearts and imaginations of Americans and people around the world. These lands and waterways drive our local economies, define our culture and enrich our quality of life. Few places can match the West's expansive scenic landscapes and boundless opportunities for outdoor recreation and tourism. Yet to many Americans, the great outdoors is an elusive dream, something to be watched on TV, not enjoyed in person.

Washington Governor Chris Gregoire recognizes that our open lands and waterways are the underpinnings of a vibrant recreation and tourism industry and believes we share an obligation to teach our youth about the importance of enjoying — and caring for — our great outdoors.

Governor Gregoire, the 2011/2012 chair of the Western Governors' Association (WGA), is leading the Get Out West! initiative. Governor Gregoire is working with fellow governors to highlight the connection of outdoor recreation and tourism to the health of our local economies as well as our citizens. In addition to promoting outdoor recreation and tourism across the West, the initiative will generate jobs and draw attention to the importance of effective conservation strategies so these assets are available for future generations.

Highlighting the Importance of the Tourism and Recreation Industries

A 2006 study by the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) found that certain types of outdoor recreation — bicycling, camping, fishing, hunting, paddling, snow sports, wildlife viewing, trailrunning, hiking and climbing — contribute more than $730 billion a year to the U.S. economy.

Action: The Get Out West! initiative is working with OIA, the Motorcycle Industry Council, National Marine Manufacturers Association and other recreation interests not represented in the 2006 study -- like horsdeback riding -- to update and expand the study.  Preliminary numbers will be released in June 2012 and state by state numbers in December 2012.

Direct travel spending in the United States by domestic and international visitors was $790 billion in 2010. This represents an 8.5 percent increase over 2009. Tourism matters to all Western states. In Washington, it drives a $15.2 billion a year industry.

Action:  The Get Out West! initiative is working with state tourism directors and private sector tourism interests to highlight the economic importance of the tourism industry to the West and develop regional promotional material to market the West nationally and internationally.

Through this initiative, we will also identify recommended changes to public policies to improve and grow outdoor recreation and tourism opportunities, jobs and businesses in the region.

Getting Kids and Famlies Outdoors

Enhancing nature-based education and volunteerism holds many benefits for Western states. Introducing young people to nature improves their health while it sparks an interest in nature-based recreation and careers. And by promoting volunteerism among children, college students, veterans, retirees and others to help maintain trails and facilities, states can better rely on private and nonprofit efforts to ease the strain on public funding sources.

Action:  The Get Out West! initiative is working with federal, state, private and non-profit groups to encourage kids and families to explore the great outdoor places the West has to offer.

The U.S. Forest Service and the National Ad Council are partnering to encourage kids abnd families to get outside with the video below.

Managing Recreational Assets

Growth of the outdoor recreation industry and success of efforts to get kids and families outdoors to enjoy the west's great natural places will depend on the quantity and quality of recreation assets in the region and access to them -- hiking and biking trails, boating waters, backcountry camping.  Unfortunately, given the mixed federal, state, tribal and private land ownership and management in the West there is not any comprehensive information on recreation assets in the region.

Action: The initiative will develop a report highlighting the most informative, useful, and/or inspiring web portals that showcase the diverse array of recreational assets found across the West (e.g. hiking trails; mountain biking routes; whitewater rivers; children and family-friendly sites; expert adventures; etc.). The report will also attempt to provide a general assessment of the availability and quality of the West's recreational assets and identify best management practices through phone interviews with key recreation managers