The $887 billion outdoor recreation industry, with its 7.6 million jobs, is threatened by climate change, with warmer weather, unpredictable snowpack, and devasting storms and floods. Maine small businesses in particular depend on consistent accessibility and use of forests, rivers and lakes, mountains, trails, and the hunting, fishing, skiing, snowmobiling, and other recreational activities connected to our natural resources. According to Maine’s Climate Future 2020, “winter is Maine’s fastest changing season, and this has a clear impact on Maine’s important winter recreation season and associated economic benefits. Controlling greenhouse gas emissions today determines the extent to which people can still be skiing in Maine tomorrow.”

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Speakers:

Shay Bellas, Founder & CEO, NaviTour

Dr. Elizabeth A Burakowski, Research Assistant Professor, Earth Systems Research Center & Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, University of New Hampshire

Jenny Kordick, Executive Director, Maine Outdoor Brands

Carolann Ouellette, Director, Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation, Maine Department of Economic & Community Development

Additional facts:

Outdoor recreation made up 3.9% of Maine’s economy, making Maine the sixth state in the country in the value outdoor recreation adds to a state’s economy.

32,000 people work in the outdoor industry in Maine, including 2,184 added jobs in 2022, representing a 7% increase from 2021

Manufacturing of outdoor recreation gear and equipment contributed $271 million and retail contributed nearly $850 million to Maine’s economy

Snow activities, including skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling contributed $68 million, a 35% increase over 2021

Speakers will discuss the importance of a stable and predictable climate to their businesses, particularly those that contribute to Maine’s winter recreation economy.