Texans have long had an abiding love for the outdoors. That much is agreed upon, and this passion recently helped bring experts from various quarters of the recreation economy to Fairview, north of Dallas, in early October for an exclusively leadership luncheon led by the Texas Outdoor Recreation Alliance. A preview of the inaugural Texas Outdoor Economy Summit planned for next spring, participants heard from national and local experts who discussed opportunities for enthusiasts and entrepreneurs in Texas wanting to move the needle on outdoor business. As Enhao Li of Founded Outdoors, which consults with outdoor brands and retailers nationwide, put it: “Outdoor businesses are incredibly important to the economy as a whole.”

Speakers joining Li were Ambreen F. Tariq of the national Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, podcaster and race organizer Patrick Farnsworth based in Bryan, Texas, and business owner Jahmicah Dawes, who runs Slim Pickins Outfitters, an apparel shop 75 miles southwest of Fort Worth. Each in their own way argued that if Texans are willing to invest in the growing outdoor recreation economy, the state and its residents will reap grand rewards. Potential benefits include rural economic security, public health, community and business profit.

“What Texas do we want to live in,” asked Patrick Farnsworth, citing the positive economic impact his East Texas Showdown extreme bikepacking race had locally. “I would like to live in a Texas where I can be that little boy when I grew up and ride out my front door and go everywhere and anywhere. But the reality is we have a lot of limitations of infrastructure.”

Ambreen F. Tariq of ORR spoke of opportunities in data collection and improving public access across the landscape. She also discussed the bipartisan EXPLORE Act signed by President Biden that became law at the start of 2025 (full name: The Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act), designed to facilitate recreation and modernize management systems for public resources at a state and national level to improve recreation. “At this exciting time, more people than ever are getting out of doors,” Tariq said.

Solving infrastructure problems, including the lack of public lands in a state that is 96 percent privately owned, came up again for Dawes, a Texas native who was frank about his sadness in trying to promote a recreational-based business in a state where it can be hard to find places to get outside and play. At the same time, voices favoring public access and public lands -- including the $1 billion Centennial Parks Conservation Fund to purchase property to build new Texas state parks -- are on the rise. But for TxORA, the recreation economy extends beyond the current model to embrace hospitality, gear manufacturers, retailers and more.

With the burgeoning national recreation economy topping a trillion dollars, a central question remains how much the state of Texas will be willing to leave on the table. Which is something to be addressed at the Texas Outdoor Economy Summit next spring. Regardless, with a pie that big, and a vibrant recreation sector that spans hunting, fishing, birding, cycling, not to mention retailers and increasing numbers of homegrown products -- such as PacAPit in San Antonio, Austin-based Sojourn Trekkr backpacks for women, and Hustle Clean body wipes out of Frisco -- Texans deserve a slice.

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Article by 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

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Jahmicah Dawes, Enhao Li, and Dan Oko conversating over outdoor business and conservation topics.

Enjoying the Outdoor Economy Leadership Luncheon on October 9th at Neon Cactus in Fairview, TX.