Texans love the outdoors. From horseback riding to bass fishing to mountain biking, outdoor recreation has long been a mainstay in the Lone Star State. With investments in public lands ticking upwards (more state parks, yay!) and a growing population of “domestic migrants” (here’s looking at you, California), the resulting outdoor economic boom in Texas according to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis is approaching $56 billion in annual revenues. Yet, from a national standpoint, Texas is lagging when it comes to harnessing the full economic potential of its outdoor economy, as the state doesn’t yet have a dedicated office of outdoor recreation.

Nonetheless, there is a move afoot to ensure that Texas’ outdoor businesses thrive and that the tendrils of the industry -- from nature tourism to manufacturing hard goods -- are braided like a strong climbing rope that can hold aloft rural communities and entrepreneurs alike. That’s where the Texas Outdoor Recreation Alliance (TxORA) comes in; founded in the early 2024, TxORA is building a network to support all facets of the outdoor industry from private landowners to race organizers to gear manufacturers in Texas in order to improve the overall health and sustain the growing number of entities that engage the outdoor economy.

“Our goal and intent is to introduce strategies, tools and resources that will help us build towards a more sustainable outdoor industry,” says TxORA co-founder and managing director Alex Brown. To that end, next spring TxORA will launch its first Texas Outdoor Economy Summit -- with an exclusive preview luncheon for stakeholders and investors on Thursday, October 9.

Taking place in the north Dallas suburb of Fairview, the Texas Outdoor Economy VIP Luncheon (https://luma.com/jtxr791g) brings together race organizers, business people, local officials and economic development officers to discuss opportunities.

Among those eager to learn more about TxORA is tourism specialist Michael Moore of the Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO), which represents more than 400 private campgrounds. TACO publishes consumer magazines to steer RV enthusiasts, glampers and other travelers to parks and other regional attractions and also has a legislative presence in Austin. “We’re really big on the ‘strength in numbers’ mantra,” says Moore. ”And TxORA seems like an exciting new opportunity to network with a completely different group than in the past.”

Even so, Moore notes that there is already plenty of overlap between campground operators and outdoor recreationalists. Membership within TACO includes RV parks in the Hill Country and West Texas, and Moore notes that some families prefer to retreat to a private site rather than pay to spend the night in a state park, even at a super-popular spot like Garner SP. “Our members range from really rustic operations to Yogi Bear and KOA type offerings,” he continues. “So, I’m looking forward to seeing what those members can gain from this group.”

Currently, more than 20 states from Oregon to North Carolina have a government office of outdoor recreation or similar entity to help ensure that the industry receives its due. No doubt, Texas can catch up; one only need witness the successes of the Office of Outdoor Recreation in Arkansas shows what’s at stake. With bipartisan support, many millions of dollars have been distributed to local communities to improve access, address human health issues and sustain the state’s vast ecological resources. In the words of one podcaster, build it and they will come.

- Dan Oko, Guest Columnist

Dan Oko is a Houston-based freelance writer specializing in recreation and environmental topics. His work has been featured in AAA Explorer, Texas Monthly, Outside, Men's Journal, Garden & Gun and Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine.

danoko.com