Outdoor recreation is gaining ground as a key economic force—and Senator Tom O’Mara says it’s time for New York to take full advantage.
In his weekly column for the week of July 7, O’Mara highlighted striking data from national and state reports showing rapid growth in outdoor participation and its outsized contribution to jobs, tourism, and economic output.
Citing the Outdoor Industry Association’s 2025 report, O’Mara noted a jump of more than 2 million new participants in gateway activities like hiking, camping, and fishing. He pointed to notable increases among seniors and youth, with participation up 7.4% and 5.6% respectively, as signs of a growing, multigenerational movement.
The federal Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that from 2012 to 2023, the outdoor recreation economy grew by 37%, outpacing sectors like education, health care, and real estate. The industry now accounts for 2.2% of the national GDP and supports nearly five million jobs.
“Outdoor recreation has been a cornerstone of American life,” the OIA stated in its report. “As we look forward, it’s clear the outdoors will be an important part of America’s economic future.”
New York is seeing a parallel trend. The state’s outdoor economy generates more than $31 billion and provides 275,000 jobs, according to federal data. O’Mara said that trend can be felt locally, where activities like biking, hunting, paddling, and birdwatching are part of both tradition and economic renewal.
O’Mara, a former chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, said the Legislature continues to support outdoor initiatives for economic, conservation, and public health benefits.
Surveys by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service show that 87.5 million Americans engage in wildlife-related recreation—hunting, fishing, or otherwise—producing $122 billion in revenue and sustaining millions of jobs. “Hunting, fishing, and trapping are deeply rooted in New York’s (and our region’s) culture, experience, and tradition,” O’Mara wrote.
He also highlighted the role of New York’s park system. According to Parks & Trails New York, the state’s more than 200 parks, thousands of campsites, and hundreds of recreational assets generate about $5 billion annually and support 54,000 jobs. The group estimates every dollar of public investment returns roughly nine dollars in visitor spending.
As state officials work to grow small businesses, revive manufacturing, expand tech and research sectors, and strengthen tourism, O’Mara said the outdoors must remain part of the strategy.
“New York’s unique outdoor experiences and pastimes are unmatched,” he said. “They entice increased spending on goods and services provided by local businesses. These expenditures help support local jobs, families, and communities.”
With more New Yorkers turning to nature, O’Mara sees the outdoors as a bright spot in the state’s economic landscape.
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