The outdoor economy is everyone’s economy
You don’t have to be an “outdoorsy person” to benefit from New Hampshire’s great outdoors.
Our
state’s natural assets are more than a source of recreation, they are a
driving force for the economy, shaping industries from forestry to
manufacturing. And they are key to our quality of life and well-being.
New
Hampshire’s outdoor economy ranks 8th nationally for its contribution
to the state’s gross domestic product. The sector supports nearly 32,000
jobs and around 1,000 small businesses across diverse industries like
hospitality, manufacturing, retail, tourism and professional services.
In
2023, the outdoor recreation industry generated nearly $4 billion in
revenue, accounting for 4.5% of the state’s total employment, according
to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. These figures mark the highest
levels recorded since the agency began tracking the sector in 2012.
These numbers aren’t going unnoticed.
This
past spring, Gov. Ayotte proclaimed June 10 as New Hampshire’s
first-ever Outdoor Industry Day, marked by an inaugural ceremony in
Manchester that brought together state officials, UNH faculty and
specialists, and businesses and organizations who are members of the
Granite Outdoor Alliance.
Some
of New Hampshire’s greatest outdoor strengths aren’t about owning
boats, bikes, skis or ATVs — they are about the everyday connections
people make with nature in their own neighborhoods. Across the state,
local organizations are working to make outdoor spaces more welcoming
and accessible.
In
Northfield, Foothills Foundation is bringing together regional
recreation groups to create projects that boost both the local economy
and residents’ quality of life. With thoughtful planning and open
communication, trail users —mountain bikers, snowmobilers, horseback
riders and more — are finding ways not just to coexist, but to support
one another’s goals.
These
goals are backed by a growing body of research showing that time spent
in nature boosts mental health and overall well-being.
At
UNH’s College of Health and Human Services, researchers are uncovering
links between natural area biodiversity and psychological health, as
well as communitywide benefits of access to green space.
Meanwhile,
UNH Extension specialists are partnering with local trail and
recreation groups to expand awareness of accessible trails, enabling
people with different levels of mobility to enjoy the outdoors.
The
town of Barrington is honoring its heritage while looking to the future
with a strong emphasis on the outdoors. Trails and outdoor spaces serve
as vital connections, bringing together volunteers from both economic
and conservation interests.
Barrington’s
town administrator, Conner MacIver — whose town partners with UNH
Extension’s Downtowns & Trails program — explains their approach:
“As development increases, preserving and enhancing outdoor spaces is
more than a conservation strategy, it’s an
economic one. We’re exploring how Barrington’s outdoor assets can
strengthen local businesses, build community connections and support a
vibrant, inclusive Town Center. The outdoors isn’t just our backdrop;
it’s part of our future.”
It’s
easy to take New Hampshire’s natural resources for granted. But with
population growth and rising interest in outdoor sports, our land,
water, trails and parks require careful stewardship and long-term
planning.
Fortunately,
a range of organizations are stepping up to meet this challenge —
working to ensure that future generations have both the knowledge and
the tools to care for the Granite State’s natural environments while
also growing resource-based economies.
The
NH Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development, UNH, and the
state’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) network are building
pipelines for career exploration and training that reach students of all
ages. Last year, more than 1,000 middle and high school students
attended the North Country Outdoor Industry Career Expo in Lancaster,
exploring opportunities in logging, recreation, fish and wildlife, and
more.
At Winnisquam
Regional High School in Tilton, the newly renovated Career Center is
launching an Outdoor Resources & Recreation Program where students
learn hands-on skills in ATV, snowmobile, bike, and boat maintenance, as
well as forest management. At the university level, UNH aims to build
upon these students’ burgeoning interests through undergraduate degree
options such as Forestry, Outdoor Leadership and Management, and
Community and Environmental Planning.
In
New Hampshire, the outdoors plays a powerful role in shaping who we are
culturally, socially, and economically. By investing in access,
stewardship, planning, industry development, and education, our great
outdoors will continue to be a vital part of our economy and way of
life.
Jada
Lindblom, Ph.D., is a state economic development specialist for
University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension and is affiliated
faculty in UNH’s Recreation Management and Policy Department.
Shannon
Rogers, Ph.D., is an extension professor and state specialist of
nature-based economic development. She teaches Community Economics at
the University of New Hampshire in the Natural Resources &
Environment Department.
