BISMARCK, ND — Governor Doug Burgum has taken steps to boost outdoor recreation opportunities in North Dakota by signing an executive order to establish the Office of Outdoor Recreation. This initiative, unveiled at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park alongside the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department, aims to promote outdoor activities and harness the economic benefits they bring.
The significance of outdoor recreation to the U.S. economy is substantial, with such activities contributing a staggering one trillion dollars annually. North Dakota alone reaps a $1.3 billion annual economic boost from outdoor recreation. Recognizing the potential for growth in this sector and the importance of private sector partnerships, North Dakota has joined 21 other states in establishing its Office of Outdoor Recreation.
The newly formed office will facilitate better coordination of park services and house six distinct branches of outdoor recreation. Proponents anticipate that this move will generate approximately 14,000 new jobs, a particularly welcome development amid historically low employment rates in the state.
During the executive order signing event, Governor Burgum emphasized the unifying power of outdoor activities in a politically divided nation. He noted bipartisan support for legislation like the EXPLORE Act and the Great America Outdoors Act, highlighting a rare point of agreement in Congress around the importance of outdoor access and conservation.
“This nation can’t seem to get anything they agree on,” Governor Burgum remarked, “but they’re passing stuff like the EXPLORE Act and the Great America Outdoors Act. Some of these things have passed almost unanimously in Congress. We don’t hear about that, but apparently, the one thing America can agree on is our love of the outdoors and how we’ve got to do a better job of creating access.”
In addition to the establishment of the Office of Outdoor Recreation, Governor Burgum and the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department announced the expansion of the Roughrider Trail and unveiled the recipients of the Recreation Trails Program Grant, further underscoring the state’s commitment to enhancing outdoor experiences for residents and visitors alike.