Introduction to the Outdoor Recreation Economy

In this course, you receive an introduction to public lands and natural resources policy, challenges and opportunities for community economic development and the outdoor recreation industry. You will discuss and critically examine outdoor recreation economy definitions, theories and frameworks and explore the diverse career opportunities that exist within the outdoor recreation industry. Key stakeholders are identified, along with current and future trends, opportunities and challenges. The need for sustainable practices and cross-cultural understanding and communication within the outdoor recreation economy is also emphasized.
 

At the end of the course, you should be able to:

• understand the concept and makeup of the outdoor recreation economy and recognize important issues and opportunities in public lands policy, community economic development and outdoor industry and leadership;
• critically evaluate different definitions of the outdoor recreation economy and discuss how this affects policy development;
• identify the different activities, organizations and stakeholders that make up the outdoor recreation economy;
• compare and contrast outdoor recreation consumers and develop strategies to attract different markets;
• analyze current and emerging trends within the outdoor recreation economy;
• critically examine future challenges and opportunities facing the outdoor recreation economy; and
• examine the different career opportunities within the outdoor recreation economy.

In this course, you explore what sustainability practices exist to help create a diverse, resilient, equitable and just outdoor recreation industry. Focus is given to sustainability practices for outdoor products and businesses, as well as communities and destinations. Various environmental management systems, certification programs and processes are viewed within an outdoor recreation economy context, alongside broader social, environmental and economic movements and factors that are influencing the future trajectory of this economy. The course also examines best practices surrounding the implementation, measurement and communication of sustainability efforts.
 

At the end of the course, you should be able to:

• apply the concepts of sustainability, sustainable development and resilience to the outdoor recreation economy;
• compare and contrast different frameworks and models related to sustainability and how they are implemented across the outdoor recreation industry;
• critically examine the economic rationale for adopting sustainability as a core business or community development philosophy;
• discuss the importance of sustainability communication for the outdoor recreation industry and apply best practices;
• critically evaluate various environmental management systems, certification programs and processes adopted by the outdoor recreation industry;
• analyze the effects of broader social, environmental and economic movements and events on the outdoor recreation economy;
• evaluate different strategies undertaken at the business, community and industry level to respond to the broader macroenvironment and
• implement and measure sustainability practices relevant to building business, community and industry resilience.

In this course, you explore the relationship between self-awareness, personal purpose and leadership. This course also focuses on the building blocks of collaborative leadership and organizational ethics. You learn different philosophies of leadership, as well as how to engage with diverse constituencies and how to participate in ethical decision-making. You also are provided with training, tools and techniques to promote and endorse ethical professional behavior within organizations.
 

At the end of the course, you should have:

• an enhanced understanding of the role of personal values in business decision-making and the relationship between leadership and values;
• greater self-awareness of your strengths and opportunities as a leader;
• familiarity with theory-based skills and proficiency in the use of these skills;
• enhanced understanding of individual work styles and leadership approaches;
• a greater understanding of the essentials of team-building; and
• awareness of interpersonal engagement tools and resources.

This course provides you with the basic history and framework of environmental law and policy as it relates to federal, state and tribal governments, as well as international bodies. You explore how cultural ideologies shape environmental law and how environmental law shapes cultural ideologies. You also learn how environmental decision-making through law and policy is connected both directly and indirectly to outdoor recreation.
 

At the end of this course, you should have:

• the ability to recognize key elements of the public policy process;
• an introduction to the laws and policies that impact the outdoor recreation economy; and
• an understanding of the interplay between culture, law and policy.