Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation

The Office of Outdoor Recreation leverages Maine’s assets and outdoor recreation heritage to grow the outdoor recreation economy and build Maine’s outdoor recreation brand as part of a coordinated effort with partners from the public and private sectors. Outdoor recreation made up 3.7% of Maine’s economy, making Maine the sixth state in the country in the value outdoor recreation adds to a state’s economy. 29,863 people work in the outdoor industry in Maine Manufacturing of outdoor recreation gear and equipment contributed $311 million, a 16.8% increase from 2022 and Outdoor retail contributed $824 million to Maine’s economy, a 3% increase Boating and fishing contributed $384 million and RVing contributed $265 million Snow activities, including skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling contributed $108 million, a 58% increase over 2022 2023 Bureau of Economic Analysis Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account . Click on the image below to watch a video about Maine's outdoor recreation economy. DIRECTION Help develop strategies to create outdoor recreation employment, to enhance business growth and to coordinate with state economic development leaders to integrate the outdoor recreation industry into their efforts. Establish relationships between diverse industries that depend upon the state’s natural resources to ensure recreation interests and perspectives are included in policy decisions related to land management and land use planning activities, including access, stewardship and conservation. Serve as a central point of contact for the outdoor recreation industry in Maine, monitoring emerging trends and issues that may potentially impact the outdoor recreation assets and experiences in the state. Facilitate coordination with  Maine Office of Tourism ,  Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife ,  Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and  Department of Transportation  in promoting outdoor recreation opportunities.  Coordinate market research on the impact of outdoor recreation to the state, including participation and consumer spending figures. Promote the health benefits of outdoor recreation by encouraging active lifestyles for Mainers through collaboration with healthcare industry leaders and local communities minimizing barriers to outdoor recreation opportunities. PROGRAMS The Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation and Maine Outdoor Brands have announced the fourth annual Maine Outdoor Economy Summit January 21-23, 2025, at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland. The Summit is the premier gathering for Maine's outdoor industry, uniting more than 300 leaders each year around a shared vision of advancing the state's outdoor recreation economy. This annual event serves as a platform to exchange ideas, explore strategies and discuss national and regional trends shaping the industry. Beyond its focus on professional development, the Summit emphasizes building lasting connecting that continue to strengthen Maine's outdoor recreation community long after the event concludes. Maine's 10-Year Outdoor Recreation Economy Roadmap is a guide for thinking about the next ten years of Maine's $3.3B (and growing) outdoor recreation industry. It identifies trends, challenges and opportunities for sustainable growth and diversification of the outdoor recreation economy. INDUSTRY PARTNERS & RESOURCES: Maine Outdoor Brands  (MOB), a non-profit alliance whose goal it is to help drive the success of its member brands was established in 2017 by a group of Maine outdoor product companies and was instrumental in the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation. National Governor’s Association Outdoor Recreation Learning Network   helps governors and their outdoor recreation staff explore strategies to leverage their unique natural, cultural and historical resources to improve access to and help promote economic, social and environmental benefits.