Outdoors

Governor Reynolds releases final report from Iowa Outdoor Recreation Task Force

Governor Reynolds releases final report from Iowa Outdoor Recreation Task Force

Iowa (KCRG) – Governor Kim Reynolds has released the final report from the Iowa Outdoor Recreation Task Force

The task force was establishedor recreation industry in Iowa

Staff at the Office of Outdoor Recreation include representatives with the Iowa Department of Natural Re

In the report, five key recommendations were made:

  • Develop a five-year statewide outdoor recreation plan:This will seek to establish shared priorities, assess state assets and provide goals for the Office of Outdoor Recreation.
  • Strengthen public-private partnerships and outdoor recreation businesses:This will seek to establish a statewide business network capable of contacting manufacturers, retailers, outfitters and private-sector partners for economic opportunities.
  • Elevating Iowa’s outdoor recreation brand through greater coordination among state agencies and public and private partners, collaborative marketing, and campaigns focused on the outdoor recreation experiences where Iowa can compete most effectively.
  • Exploring Iowa-specific opportunities for growth, including the intersection of agritourism and outdoor recreation and a more strategic approach to attracting regional and national outdoor recreation events.
  • Connecting outdoor recreation to health, education and workforce development, including resources designed to help communities address barriers to participation and increase access to outdoor recreation experiences for Iowa students.

Governor Reynolds applauded the progress made in a statement on Thursday.

Gov. Reynolds shared, “Iowa has tremendous outdoor recreation assets, and we have an opportunity to put them to work in even bigger ways for our communities, businesses and families,” Gov. Reynolds said. “The task force looked beyond recreation alone and identified ways these assets can support economic development, tourism, workforce attraction and quality of life. The recommendations give the new Office of Outdoor Recreation a practical roadmap for bringing partners together, building on what Iowa already does well and unlocking new opportunities for growth.”

The full report and its findings can be read here.

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