Maine’s outdoors are an asset to all who live or visit this state, and outdoor recreation contributes $3.3 billion to Maine’s economy. That’s nearly 4% of the state’s GDP!

To help sustain and grow the outdoor recreation industry, the Outdoor Recreation Economy Roadmap will help guide the next 10 years of Maine’s growing outdoor industry. And right now, you can help shape what that roadmap looks like by sharing your thoughts and ideas in an online survey or attending an upcoming workshop.

If you’re reading this, it’s likely you’ve had some amazing experiences in Maine’s outdoors – in places like Acadia National Park. You probably have some favorites – and perhaps some thoughts on what’s working well and where opportunities lie. That input is so valuable, and we encourage you to share it!

“The outdoor recreation industry plays an important role in introducing visitors to Acadia and encouraging positive stewardship behaviors,” said Stephanie Clement, Friends of Acadia’s vice president of conservation. “The Outdoor Recreation Economy Roadmap will help direct the future of this industry across Maine. We’re grateful that the State has taken on this work and provided opportunities for public participation as topics like infrastructure, sustainability, workforce development, and impacts of climate change on the outdoor economy are discussed.”

We hope Friends of Acadia members will tune into these workshops!

> To take the survey and share your thoughts: trail-blazer.online/get-involved/
(scroll down to see the survey)

There are also several upcoming “Build Sessions,” which are facilitated, action-oriented workshops that will help us build ideas into concrete strategies to support the Roadmap. Those include:

Outdoor Recreation Participants — Inbound and Local | Feb. 26 | 12:30-2 p.m. EST
Sustainability and Climate Change | Feb. 27 | 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. EST
Outdoor Recreation Supporting-Infrastructure | Feb. 28 | 12:30-2 p.m. EST
Land Use/Water Use/Natural Resources | Feb. 28 | 10-11:30 a.m. EST
Economic Development | Feb. 29 | 12:30-2 p.m. EST

To learn more about the workshops and to register: trail-blazer.online/get-involved/

Learn more about the Roadmap project, timeline, and who’s involved, check out the Outdoor Recreation Economy Roadmap website: trail-blazer.online