KEY POINTS

The outdoor recreation economy generated $1.2 trillion dollars in 2023.

The sector employs 5 million people, which is more than 3% of all workers in the country.

Economists determined that a bear sighting in Yellowstone is worth $50,000 annually to the economy.

When Doug Burgum framed public lands as “America’s balance sheet” at his confirmation to become the Secretary of the Interior this past January, the suggestion was not well received by all.

“The reaction to that from the conservation community or the environmental community was ‘Oh, well, you can’t put a price tag on these places,’ or ... ‘That’s not what we should be doing — it’s about these beautiful vistas,’” said Jessica Turner, president of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable.

Her organization, referred to as OR

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