Innovate Marquette SmartZone’s Post

SEEKING PROPOSALS: Consultant Project Leader to lead and organize the Outdoor Recreation Innovation Action Network (ORIAN). In collaboration with CUPPAD Regional Commission, we received an EDA grant for developing an outdoor recreation industry growth strategy for the Central Upper Peninsula. A key aspect of this grant is creating a public-private sector industry collaborative to serve as the steering committee for the project. We are seeking proposals from experienced and credentialed outdoor economy professionals to 1) identify a public and private network of stakeholders; 2) assemble the ORIAN committee; 3) arrange and run the ORIAN agenda; and 4) host and organize the outdoor recreation summit with regional stakeholders. Proposals should demonstrate knowledge of the Central Upper Peninsula of Michigan, strong connections to outdoor innovation, broad familiarity with electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, and outdoor recreation mobility. If this is you, your firm, or you know someone who fits the description, we invite you to submit your proposal by Wednesday, January 17 at 5:00 pm Eastern to us via the link: https://lnkd.in/dn8ek5Ti #InnovateMarquette #CUPPAD #ORIAN #OutdoorInnovation #Recreation #UpperPeninsula #LakeSuperior #ElectricVehicles #Outdoors #Michigan #EDA #Funding #Collaborative #Network #Development #Partnership #Leaders #Proposal

When it comes to the vision we have at Innovate Marquette SmartZone for outdoor innovation in the Upper Peninsula, we know that we can go further, together. That is why we teamed up with CENTRAL UPPER PENINSULA PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT REGIONAL COMMISSION (CUPPAD) to develop the Outdoor Recreation Innovation Action Network (ORIAN), a public-private collective of individuals who all share the common goal of growing the U.P.'s outdoor innovation industry and making it sustainable for years to come. Everyone in the network brings a commitment to expanding the outdoor innovation industry in the U.P., and each member has their own unique and critical expertise to help us get there. I’m honored to be chairing the network, and discovering what we can achieve together. In fact, we’re already hard at work in pursuing an economic development partner in developing the Outdoor Recreation Industry Growth Strategy. This strategic plan will build on existing efforts to give us a comprehensive strategy for building the future of our region with everyone’s interests in mind. We’ve got lot’s planned, and lots of partners to help us on our way. Learn more about ORIAN, and take a look at the RFP for the strategic plan at https://lnkd.in/gzJEByXT #InnovateMarquette #IMQT #Michigan #CUPPAD #OutdoorRecreation #Partnership #Collaboration #Network #OutdoorRecreationIndustry #OutdoorInnovation 

Today, the Miles government released the findings of its Sustainable Visitor Capacity Management (SVCM) studies into three of South East Queensland's most popular places: Bribie Island NP and Recreation Area, and the K'gari and Cooloola Sections of Great Sandy National Park. These iconic wild places are extremely popular with locals and tourists, attracting a combined total of 23,714 vehicles and 592,809 camper nights each year – that's a whole lot of love from the public, but with it comes an important responsibility not to love these parks to death. Given Queensland's predicted population growth, managing park usage to ensure these protected areas' capacity for conservation remains undiminished is absolutely vital. Stakeholders and the community will have a further opportunity to provide feedback on these plans during the public consultation process: •     Cooloola Recreation Area Draft Management Plan consultation: expected to commence May 2024 •     Bribie Island National Park and Recreation Area Draft Management Plan consultation: expected to commence second half of 2024 •     K’gari (Fraser Island) Recreation Area Draft Management Plan consultation: expected to commence in 2025. To download the summary of recommendations or Draft Management Plans visit https://buff.ly/4b43UQP #BribieIsland #K’gari #Cooloola #VisitSustainably

Unpopular opinion coming up! As much as we all love these coastal parks, I believe it is critical that we implement capped visitation and restricted camping numbers to control the cumulative impact of visitation. Yes this will mean less opportunity to visit, but when you do it'll be all the more special - less traffic, less crowding, less rubbish, more space, safer roads and beaches and more enjoyable experiences. If we want these parks to remain as they are and ensure sustainable use, management and enjoyment in the long run, we need to be proactive with our management now and set new expectations with the public. A number of parks in Queensland have allocated camp sites or maximum capacity upon booking. This should be implemented for these coastal areas, instead of expanding the existing areas during peak seasons just to make more money and keep tourists and stakeholders happy. If we manage access in a more sustainable manner, these places become so much more socially and environmentally valuable, and are likely to be treated with more respect by visitors. When will we realise the longevity of our natural assets are more important than the instant economical benefits today? Check out the management plans below if you want to have your say ⬇️

Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORCBC) - Survey Confirms Outdoor Recreation is Important to BC Residents ✅ According to a recent poll conducted by Ispos for ORCBC, 56% of BC residents say access to trails and outdoor recreational amenities influenced their current choice of residence. ✅ The new poll also shows that 89% of respondents are passionate about outdoor recreation and think that increased government investment and maintenance of trails, parks and other recreation amenities will benefit them or their community. ✅ The top identified benefits included: improved physical and mental health (62%), protection of biodiversity and nature (50%) and support of the local economy, for example keeping residents spending locally rather than travelling (44%). ✅ Community parks and trail networks (66%) emerged as the preferred recreational destination for BC residents who participated in outdoor recreation in the past 12 months, followed by beaches/coastal areas (48%), rivers/lakes (45%) and national/provincial parks (41%). ✅ Read the Survey: https://bit.ly/3z8C9sp

Today the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) released a new report, "Recreation Funding in America: Current Results and Future Insights.” This first-of-its-kind comprehensive study conducted by Southwick Associates, Inc. on behalf of ORR aggregates and analyzes current federal funding streams for outdoor recreation and identifies potential future threats to these funding sources including changing energy demands, evolving participation, inflation, weather events and climate change, and stagnant appropriations trends. Stand-out stat: Outdoor recreation contributes 2.2% to U.S. GDP, yet only receives 0.16% of federal funding, a nearly 14x difference in scale. The report highlights the pressing need for innovative solutions to ensure sustainable funding for the $1.1 trillion recreation economy and the millions of Americans and communities who rely on it in the face of these potential funding gaps. https://lnkd.in/gRjG5cMy

At the recent Parks and Leisure Australia Vic/Tas Region Conference, our session speakers were asked questions from the floor. It got me thinking... One of those questions related to the challenges growth corridor LGAs face when choosing & prioritising sports facility development. One such LGA was Wyndham City Council – an expanding growth area in the outer south-western suburbs of Melbourne - with a population forecast to grow to 501,634 by 2041 (170,000 across 17 years). Picking up on the idea of regional partnerships – those between adjacent LGAs - it seems measurable, flexible, strategic, and collaborative approaches could be the answer to fulfilling need for our sports facilities. Here are other elements that can help municipalities make better decisions: 1. Comprehensive Needs Assessment & Community Engagement: Undertake detailed demographic analyses and community surveys to understand the specific needs, preferences, and gaps in current sports and recreational facilities. This participatory approach ensures that the facilities developed align with the ‘softer’ needs and preferences of each community. 2. Data-Driven Decision Making & Prioritisation Framework: Develop a Prioritisation Framework - create a clear and transparent framework for prioritising projects based on criteria such as community impact, cost-benefit, equity, and feasibility. Factors to consider include the potential to increase participation, social cohesion, and support health and well-being. Leverage technology and data analytics through geo-mapping, predictive analytics, and other data tools. This helps in making informed decisions about where to allocate facilities. 3. Cross-Sector Collaboration & Regional Partnerships: Encourage collaboration between neighbouring municipalities to share resources, expertise, and funding. Joint initiatives can help in developing regional sports facilities that serve multiple communities, with efficiencies. Partner with private developers, education providers, sports organisations, and non-profits to co-fund, co-design, and co-manage sports facilities. Public-private partnerships can bring additional investment and expertise, facilitating the development of high-quality, sustainable facilities. 4. Integrated Planning & Multi-Use Facilities: Ensure that sports facility planning is integrated with broader urban planning efforts, including transportation, housing, and green spaces. This holistic approach ensures that facilities are accessible and well-connected to other community amenities. Develop multi-purpose facilities that can accommodate a variety of sports, recreational, and community activities with flexible design outcomes. This approach maximises the utility and cost-effectiveness of the investment. Of all of the above, probably the most exciting is the power of data and technology on decisions. #designtechnology #community #highperformance

MAINE - Maine is blazing a trail for its outdoor recreation economy by developing a 10-Year Outdoor Recreation Economy Roadmap. Outdoor recreation contributes $3.3B to Maine’s economy, nearly 4% of the state’s GDP. The Roadmap will identify trends, challenges, and opportunities for sustainable growth and diversification of this rapidly growing industry. As a collaboration of industry, communities, government, and higher education, the Roadmap will increase the awareness and understanding of the different sectors that define Maine’s outdoor recreation economy. In short, the Roadmap aims to support, inform, and grow Maine’s resilient outdoor recreation economy that offers good paying jobs and an unmatched quality of life. This effort will define Maine’s outdoor recreation economy and its potential, produce a baseline analysis of the value of Maine’s outdoor economy, identify key strategies needed to fuel growth of the state’s outdoor economy for the next ten years, and form partnerships and collaborations for investment into Maine’s future. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/erThBcwc

Nice start, however, … this industry needs to focus on two things. 1. Reshoring as much outdoor recreational product manufacturing as possible and to consolidate its mfg carbon footprint. Think www.nmborderplex.com as a prospective climate and regional environmental safe zone hub between North and South Americas. . 2. Get Congress to pass an Outdoor Recreational Product Act like the “1997 Milk Act” that funds critical issues related to the whole experience of the outdoors, from land acquisition and restoration, to access, to economic development to new standards that drive product longevity and reduces Landfill Sprawl. You can do this. Where there is a will there is a way. Think more like an outsidr. Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Outdoor Industry Association #getoutside

The answer to the headline is a resounding YES! Outdoor recreation is already a massive economic driver and YES we have mostly failed to tap into or support it in any strategic way. Until now! Check out this WITF Spark interview with THE Nathan Reigner to learn about why and how the new Office of Outdoor Recreation is--for the first time--creating a framework to grow PA's outdoor economy even further. https://lnkd.in/eJJFnj7B