Column: State Senator Tom O'Mara

"The great outdoors helps grow the economy"

ALBANY, July 12 2026 -- The month of July is recognized as National Park and Recreation Month and it's a designation certainly worthy of attention across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions.

According to the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), which tracks trends in the outdoor recreation economy, the outdoor recreation sector grew by 37% during the decade between 2012 and 2023, outperforming other nationally important sectors like education and health care (26% growth) and finance, insurance, and real estate (33% growth). The bureau's latest Outdoor Recreation Economic Statistics, released earlier this year, reported that "nominal gross output for outdoor recreation totaled $1.3 trillion in 2024."

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) President Jess Turner stated, "The new data tells a clear story: outdoor recreation is a $1.3 trillion economic powerhouse touching communities in every corner of the country ... Outdoor recreation is a proven, sustainable asset on America's balance sheet -- one that contributes $350 million on federal lands and waters alone and smart investments now will compound returns for decades to come."

In its 2026 "Outdoor Participation Trends Report," the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) highlighted the following trends:

--Record participation reaching 183.2 million Americans -- 59% of those ages six and older;
--A surge among seniors, with the 65+ group adding 800,000 participants in a single year and 12.1 million since 2016;
--Strong momentum among kids ages 6 to 12 (+5% to 22.6 million), with two-thirds of households with kids now participating;
--Growing diversity, including a record 53.4% participation rate among women; and
--A widening but shallower base -- the average participant now takes five fewer outings per year than in 2019, signaling a shift toward more casual engagement.

The BEA has further noted that the industry provides nearly five million jobs nationally (3.2% of all U.S. employees), generates more than $1 trillion in economic output, and accounts for 2.2 percent of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP).

Outdoor Industry Association CEO Kent Ebersole said, "The annual BEA data remains one of the clearest and most credible measures of the outdoor recreation economy's role in the United States. It helps demonstrate not only the scale of our industry, but also why continued investment in outdoor access, recreation infrastructure, and participation matters for local communities, rural economies, and public health. Outdoor recreation is more than a consumer category. It's a major contributor to the U.S. economy, a source of jobs in communities of every size, and an engine for rural development."

Here in New York State, the numbers are equally impressive, with the industry providing 275,000 jobs (2.7 percent of the state's employees) and generating upwards of $31 billion in economic activity.

In other words, there is a lot of biking, boating, hiking, hunting, camping, climbing, fishing, paddling, bird watching, and other outdoor recreation going on locally, statewide, and across the United States.

We're told that more than one-half of American citizens annually take part in an outdoor recreation activity and that they annually make more than 10 billion outdoor outings.

As a former chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee and a lifelong sportsman, I have been grateful for opportunities to support the ongoing resurgence of outdoor recreation. The Legislature annually takes actions on behalf of the outdoors, not solely for the economic and conservation benefits but also because these activities offer a high-quality means of exercise, healthier lifestyles, and family fun and recreation.

Surveys by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service have also shown striking facts about the nationwide economic impact -- to the tune of $122 billion in revenue and millions of jobs -- of the 87.5 million Americans who fish, hunt, or engage in other wildlife-related recreation. Hunting, fishing, and trapping are deeply rooted in New York's (and our region's) culture, experience, and tradition.

The same goes for our unmatched network of New York State parks, trails, and historic sites. The advocacy group Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) routinely highlights the economic impact of New York's more than 200 state parks, dozens of historic sites, more than a thousand miles of hiking trails, and over 8,000 campsites (to say nothing of numerous boat launches, beaches, swimming pools, and nature centers). PTNY has estimated that the state parks and trails system supports upwards of 50,000 jobs and generates nearly $6 billion in park and visitor spending -- which means each dollar of state investment is supporting a return of an estimated nine dollars in consumer spending.

As we continue working to turn around the Upstate New York economy through small business growth, a revitalization and strengthening of manufacturing, high tech research and development, an ongoing foundation of agriculture and tourism, and in many other ways, we will be smart to keep an eye on the outdoors.

New York's unique outdoor experiences and pastimes -- and our region is unmatched in this regard -- are sure to entice increased spending on goods and services provided by local businesses. These expenditures support jobs, generate sales and income taxes, and spark tourism.

In this period of lingering uncertainty about the economic future of our state and nation, one thing is clear: More New Yorkers than ever before are eager to step outside for a breath of fresh air and a better view -- and it keeps adding up to a stronger bottom line.

Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara

Legislature Chairman

Carl Blowers, 535-6174 or 237-5469

Legislature Members:

Gary Gray, 292-9922

Robert Halpin

Jeffrey Fazzary

Gail M. Walker

Phil Barnes, Watkins Glen, 481-0482

Mark Rondinaro, 398-0648

Laurence Jaynes

County Clerk: Theresa Philbin, 535-8133

Sheriff: Kevin Rumsey, 535-8222

Undersheriff: Andrew Zeigler, 535-8222

County Treasurer: Holley Sokolowski, 535-8181

District Attorney: Jeremy Hourilhan, 535-8383

State, Federal Officials for Schuyler County

Sen. Charles E. Schumer

United States Senate
313 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-3201
DC Phone: 202-224-6542
DC Fax: 202-228-3027
Email Address: http://schumer.senate.gov/webform.html

Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand

United States Senate
478 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
DC Phone: 202-224-4451
Website: http://gillibrand.senate.gov/

State Senator Tom O'Mara -- Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, and Yates, and eastern Allegany County (towns of Alfred, Almond, Amity, Andover, Birdsall, Burns, Grove, Independence, Scio, Ward, Wellsville, and Willing).

Room 706, Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
Phone: (518) 455-2091
Fax: (518) 426-6976
www.omara.nysenate.gov

Assemblyman Phil Palmesano-- All of Schuyler and Yates, majority of Steuben, and portions of Chemung and Seneca counties.

Room 448, Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
Phone: (518) 455-5791
Fax: (518) 455-4644
Website: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Philip-A-Palmesano/