We're excited to announce that the Outdoor Recreation Economy Initiative (OREI) is now a full "Center" within Oregon State University.

For Hilary Sager, Destination Development Manager with Travel Oregon, leadership is about rising to the moment, no matter what your title may be. In this time of social justice reckoning, that means asking big questions about how recreation and tourism can be part of creating a more equitable world.

Zavier Borja’s capstone project for OREI’s inaugural Leadership program didn’t just build on his already impressive leadership skills—it also helped school kids in Bend rebuild connections to the outdoors that had been lost in the COVID shutdown.

In partnership with the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), we have been surveying the industry since April and aggregating data to measure the impacts of COVID-19 on the recreation economy as a whole. Our most recent findings tell the story of an impressive, if still fragile, recovery.

After struggling through nearly two weeks of devastating fires and a thick blanket of smoke, rains finally brought a measure of relief late last week. Now comes the work of grappling with the damage. This New York Times feature article, which draws from an interview with OREI executive director, Lee Davis, explores the impact of Oregon's natural resources economy.

Since spring, OREI has been working in partnership with the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) to track the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sprawling outdoor industry. After early data revealed widespread economic devastation, our most recent findings offer signs of recovery. Media coverage shows how our research is shaping the conversation. Caption of bike riders in woods goes here

A conversation with professional coach, Greer Van Dyck, about the inaugural Leadership Certificate cohort If you ask Greer Van Dyck, the real magic of learning happens through meaningful integration. That’s especially true in leadership training, where learners are working to change how they perceive themselves and how they interact with others. That takes work.