We’re on a mission to power a voice for the outdoor recreation industry to shape policy, support investments, and engage an inclusive community of outdoor participants in California around the benefits of outdoor recreation.
Advocating for
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California Outdoor Recreation Partnership fights for a future where every Californian—regardless of zip code, income, or background—can access the trails, parks, and wild places that belong to all of us. We're confronting the reality that millions of Californians can't reach a trailhead, afford gear, or see themselves in the outdoors. CORP pushes lawmakers to tear down those barriers.
Equitable access
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We can't recreate on lands we don't protect. CORP pushes lawmakers to fund trail restoration, wildfire resilience, habitat conservation, and the stewardship California's wild places require. CORP advocates for one thing: protecting California's mountains, forests, rivers, and coastlines so they're still here—wild, accessible, and thriving—for generations to come.
Protecting nature
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We're the bridge between California's outdoor industry and the Capitol—translating trails into jobs, access into equity, and recreation into economic power that lawmakers can't ignore. CORP ensures California's lawmakers and land managers understand what's at stake: an $87.9 billion outdoor economy that contributes 589,354 jobs, improves public health, protects wild places, and builds thriving communities across our state.
Outdoor economy
How it all started
Our roots begin in 2017
In 2017, we were not officially an organization yet. Senate Bill 5, the Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act, was moving through the California State Legislature and members of the outdoor industry showed up in Sacramento to advocate for its passage.
Approved by California voters in June 2018, Proposition 68 authorized $4 billion in general obligation bonds for state and local parks, environmental restoration, and water infrastructure. It focused on enhancing climate resilience, improving natural resources, expanding access to green spaces, with at least of funds benefiting underserved communities. The social, environmental, and economic impact will be felt throughout the state for years to come. The industry showed up individually to advocate and most of Sacramento had no idea that the outdoor industry cared or advocated for this landmark legislation.
The push for an Office of Outdoor Recreation
Introduced three times between 2017 and 2019, the outdoor industry showed up in Sacramento to advocate for the establishment of California’s Office of Outdoor Recreation. At this point, Utah, Colorado, and many other competitor outdoor tourism states were recognizing the value of the outdoors as an economic driver and had created their own “Office” dedicated to it. We started to see key industry brands like The North Face pack up their backpacks and leave for states with an Office of Outdoor Recreation like Colorado. Our bill was vetoed by Governor Jerry Brown as it was seen duplicous with California’s Department of State Parks and Recreation. We failed to show Sacramento that this movement is inclusive but much larger than California State Parks.
Let’s make it official!
California Outdoor Recreation Partnership (CORP) was established and became a 501(c)6 non-profit organization in 2019. Sacramento, let’s make friends!
Advocacy without an Office of Outdoor Recreation
We decided to pull back from the Office of Outdoor Recreation push and get to know Sacramento better. We started to get behind initiatives of other natural resources leaders and advocacy initiatives like 30x30 and the Climate Bond. The pandemic hit in the midst of this but both efforts eventually were successful. Over the next five years, we built our community and allies in government and got involved on a wide range of policy topics impacting our industry. To see a full list of policy we have worked on, you can read the list here.
We see real change happen in Sacramento
Under the leadership of Governor Gavin Newsom, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot, the tide turns and we see real change happen. Secretary Crowfoot makes it a priority for the Agency to focus on four pillars: climate resilience, biodiversity portection, cutting the green tape, and— access for all. Governor Newsom launches the “Outdoors for All” initiative with an unprecedented $1 billion+ investment in the 2021-22 state budget. This funding was designed to jumpstart park creation in "park-poor" communities and expand programs that reduce barriers to nature. Governor Newsom then appointed the first ever Deputy Secretary for Access, Katherine Toy, in January 2022. Deputy Secretary Toy pushed out the “Outdoors for All” Strategy plan and resigned. Gloria Sandoval was appointed to the Deputy Secretary for Access role in April 2024.
What’s next for our advocacy?
Deputy Secretary Sandoval hosted the first Outdoors for All convening at California Natural Resources in February 2026 and we think it is time for implementation.
We have spent the last seven years figuring out what is needed to support the state’s goals with equitable access to the outdoors and our outdoor economy. Time has come for us to sponsor a bill! Assemblymember Chris Rogers from California’s 2nd Assembly District introduced AB 2578 - The Outdoor Access and Recreation Economy Act. The bill establishes a state recognized NGO to operate and support state investments into equitable access, recreation infrastructure, outdoor jobs, and to help sustain and grow California’s outdoor economy in alignment with initiatives out of the California Natural Resources Agency and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. It is our hope that this will be the financial backing for California’s future Office of Outdoor Access and Recreation Economy.
Join us as we advocate for a better future for all Californians’ access to nature!
Where we focus now
Our Priorities
Prioritizing Recreation Investments
Increased and direct investment in outdoor recreation projects and programs in support of improved infrastructure, stewardship, and equal access to outdoor recreation for all Californians.
Pursue and advocate for funding related to recreation infrastructure, including investments in parks, trail maintenance, transportation, education, and new parks in under-parked communities.
Support funding for conservation of California public lands, waters, and equitable access to them, including resource planning.
Advocate for climate resilience and adaptation for recreation infrastructure and protected wilderness areas affected by fire, snow, flood, and coastal access. Where appropriate, support federal public lands policy as it relates to California, including forest service regional planning, Land and Water Conservation Fund distributions, wildfire mitigation, and flood control.
Outdoor Program Development
Build coalitions of industry professionals, nonprofit leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders to educate state and local policymakers about the benefits of the outdoor recreation economy in their communities and promote local and state investment in the outdoor recreation industry in California.
Support the creation of a California Office of Outdoor Recreation to help people, businesses, and communities flourish through California’s great outdoors.
Promote educational programs that create opportunity for all experience levels of outdoor recreation. Promote equitable access, education, gear libraries, every kid in a park, and other programs.
Collaborate on programs supporting economic development around outdoor recreation, including job creation, job training, and identifying and supporting outdoor recreation economies in rural communities.
Enabling Outdoor Economy and Business Success
Work with Sacramento and California legislators and collaborate on the substantial economic contributions the outdoor industry makes to the California economy and the role regulation plays in helping and hindering the outdoor recreation economy.
Support and direct efforts to quantify impacts of the active outdoor industry, secure improved funding for research related to outdoor recreation financial impact, health benefits, participation, and demographic trends.
Simplify and streamline regulations and policy impacting the active outdoor industry.
