California is blessed with outstanding natural recreation resources - from the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada, to the towering redwoods of the North Coast, from the vast deserts of the southern interior, to our signature coastline. As Californians, we benefit from the vast and impressive public lands, natural resources, and outdoor spaces that define our state. Yet despite the importance of outdoor recreation to California’s economy and quality of life, there is no statewide office charged with coordinating and developing California’s outdoor recreation economy. Legislation has recently been introduced in the state legislature – AB 1111 – that seeks to address this deficit.

The undersigned represent people, businesses, organizations, and local public agencies from every region of California who are supporting the passage of AB 1111. We are diverse, and we share a significant and vested interest in expanding and sustaining outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the entire rich geography of California, whether managed directly by the State or by others, and in growing California's outdoor recreation economy. 

Together, we urge the legislature to pass and the Governor to sign legislation to establish a California Office of Outdoor Recreation, and to charge this office with the following responsibilities: 

• Improve outdoor opportunities for all by putting a singular focus on boosting recreation, which in turn boosts recreation economies; 
  Develop strategies and data tools to recruit and grow outdoor recreation businesses and opportunities and recreation-related employment in California; 
• Increase collaboration between government agencies, tourism offices and recreation industry stakeholders to improve recreation policy, expedite recreation programs and increase outdoor recreation-related tourism;  
• Recommend policies and initiatives to increase recreational access and enhance recreational amenities in the state; 
• Serve as a central point of contact for the outdoor recreation industry in California; and 
• Create and manage an advisory committee of stakeholders to provide advice, expertise and support to the office. 

We urge elected State officials to enact this legislation at the earliest opportunity so that this office can begin the important work of expanding recreation opportunities and growing California's outdoor recreation economy. 

Please click here to download a draft resolution that organizations can use to express their support for the passage of AB 1111. Please send adopted resolutions to dmiddlebrook@trpa.org. 

For questions or comments please email Devin Middlebrook (Lake Tahoe) at dmiddlebrook@trpa.org or John Wentworth (Mammoth Lakes) at johnwentworth@mltpa.org.