Industry Insights: Outdoor Recreation in Mt. Washington Valley

Last week, Granite Outdoor Rockhound Chief Tyler Ray presented on the impact of outdoor recreation at the MWV Chamber Career and Business Expo at Attitash Mountain Resort, followed by an engaging panel discussion with industry leaders and activists including:

·      Janel Lawton, Director, New Hampshire’s Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development (ORID)

·      Mardi Fuller, Racial Equity Advocate, Writer, Communications Leader

·      Alex Belensz, Associate Analyst & Planner at SE Group

·      Jim Innes, District Ranger, USDA Forest Service

Tyler Ray Mardi Fuller Janel Lawton Alex Belensz Jim Innes

A $2.7 billion industry in New Hampshire, outdoor recreation creates new jobs, keeps dollars in the local economy, improves community health outcomes, and fosters an ethical business community that cares about our land and waters. Here are a few takeaways from the panel discussion around the status and future of the outdoor economy in Mt. Washington Valley and statewide:

Infrastructure Investments: Enjoying the outdoors requires reliable access to public lands and waters, which is why the outdoor economy needs local community and political support for infrastructure investments. Tyler Ray pointed out that in highly traffic tourist areas like MWV, these investments are especially critical to prevent overuse and degradation of natural assets, while enhancing user experiences and the quality of life for residents. A great example of a smart infrastructure investment is the MWV Rec Path, which will connect business corridors from Fryeburg, ME, to Bartlett, NH, to a multi-purpose scenic path.

Tyler Ray moderates the MWV Chamber Panel, "The Impact of Outdoor Recreation in Mt. Washington Valley” with (seated L-R) Mardi Fuller, Janel Lawton, Alex Belensz, and Jim Innes.

Education and Workforce Development: A shortage of skilled professionals in New Hampshire’s outdoor workforce stifles growth in the sector. That’s why New Hampshire’s Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development (ORID), led by Janel Lawton, is focused on enhancing outdoor recreation career pathways for high schoolers within existing Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs like the MWV Careers & Technical Center. Informed and developed in partnership with industry stakeholders, outdoor rec CTE curricula combines rigorous academics with hands-on experience to prepare students for success in the 21st century workforce.

 Representation Matters: To attract diverse outdoor rec enthusiasts to MWV, Mardi Fuller emphasized that the outdoor community must recognize and reconcile the lack of representation of non-white folks in the story of this region to date. The whitewashed and colonized history of New Hampshire has sought to erase the Indigenous peoples that first celebrated the lands and waters we recreate on as invaluable community and cultural assets (you can find great resources on this through the Indigenous New Hampshire Collaborative Collective). Concerted efforts to acknowledge and honor BIPOC influence on how humans relate to the outdoors will help communities stay culturally relevant and can inspire more diverse participation in outdoor recreation. 

Data Drives Action: SE Group is currently working with ORID on an NH outdoor recreation inventory, which will define and quantify New Hampshire’s outdoor recreation participation, business activity, impact on regional tourism, and more. Alex Belensz shared that this comprehensive database will help develop an in-depth understanding of the statewide outdoor economy and inform economic development strategies for the sector.

The Power of Partnerships: MWV’s natural assets are the heart of community pride, but it takes a lot of work to protect and maintain these delicate environments. Strong public support, volunteerism, and partnerships make it happen. Take a look at the White Mountain National Forest. Jim Innes says trail work partnerships with local outdoor recreation groups like the Appalachian Mountain Club, Granite Backcountry Alliance, and New England Mountain Bike Association help maintain public lands and encourage stewardship.

These discussions get the wheels turning about how the private and public sectors can come together to foster a more inclusive, sustainable, and responsible outdoor economy in New Hampshire. It’s the heart of what we’re doing at Granite Outdoor Alliance through our marketing, workforce development, networking, and advocacy work. If you’re interested in learning more about GOA’s role in enhancing the outdoor economy, Let’s Talk!