Helpful Resources
Guidance for Responsible Outdoor Recreation
WYORBA draws upon widely recognized national and state authorities educating the public about responsible outdoor recreation practices. We advocate for responsible use and development that diversifies our economy while stewarding our Wyoming legacy of public lands and wildlife.
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The Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation promotes 3 strategies for responsible outdoor recreation in Wyoming.
Funding Opportunities for Wyoming Outdoor Recreation
WY Recreational Trails Program grants
The WY Trails program administers a federal grant program for trails: 30% for non-motorized, 30% motorized and 40% for diversified. Application process opens May 2024. wyoparks.wyo.gov/index.php/rtp-grant-information-trails
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Together Outdoors Inclusive Micro-Grant Program
Together Outdoors, a program of the Outdoor Recreacreation Roundtable has announced the opening of the application period of its Inclusive Micro-Grant Program. This is a funding opportunity for small and rural grassroots organizations that are key to creating a more inclusive and welcoming outdoor recreation environment.
One-time grants are available in the $5,000 - 10,000 range. For more information: https://www.togetheroutdoors.com/grantprograms
Stay Tuned for News About Funding through the WY Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust!
The Wyoming legislature has created a grant program for governments and nonprofit organizations to help fund the planning, design, improvement, construction and maintenance of existing or new outdoor recreational infrastructure; or acquisition of public access easements necessary to enhance outdoor recreational infrastructure.
The law becomes effective on July 1, 2024 and the Governor’s Office will be soliciting names of potential Trust Board members, who will then be responsible for developing rules for the granting process and awarding grants.
A public rule-making process will be initiated to define criteria for grants, public comment opportunity and more. We’ll keep WYORBA members alerted to these public opportunities.
“I think the big take-home point when looking at this data is seeing the amazing returns that are coming from the outdoor recreation economy, and investing at a commensurate level to meet that demand. There’s an opportunity in front of us.”
Other Resources
The Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation provides a wealth of information on their website, including the interactive WONDER MAP – showing locations & info on parks, campgrounds, guides, trails, water access, services and more. Other resources: calendar of events, regional outdoor recreational collaboratives, Pathfinder assistance and more.
The UW Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality Initiative (WORTH) supports industries across the state through applied research, educational products, services and extension. They also organize an annual statewide outdoor recreation conference. (See events page.)
Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Report, 2024. The 2024 Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Report details the growth and economic contributions of outdoor recreation in Wyoming, highlighting its importance to the state's GDP, job creation, and community development. It showcases various projects and initiatives across Wyoming aimed at enhancing outdoor recreation infrastructure and accessibility while ensuring sustainable growth and conservation of natural resources.
Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s Rural Economic Development Toolkit. Updated in 2024, this toolkit provides strategies for success sourced from communities around the country to achieve intersecting goals: healthy communities, high quality of life, robust businesses, resilient economies, and vibrant outdoor places.
After months of COVID-19 related closures, outdoor recreation destinations around the country reopened to unprecedented levels of interest. Americans flocked to the outdoors as a means for safe, family-friendly activities and generated major economic activity in communities providing outdoor recreation access. Not only this, but the rise of remote work led to people uprooting from their homes and moving to communities that offered higher quality of life—and outdoor recreation destinations are leading the way.