Center for the Outdoor Recreation Economy
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The Oregon Story

Outdoor Recreation in Oregon

Outdoor recreation is core to the character and quality of life we enjoy in Oregon, and it is a big part of why people live here. The majority of Oregonians enjoy outdoor recreation activities, and many rely on the state’s natural resources for their livelihoods.

Communities across Oregon recognize that outdoor recreation contributes to a high quality of life for our residents. In fact, according to the Outdoor Industry Association, 69% of Oregonians engage in outdoor recreation, generating $16.4 billion in consumer spending that results in 172,000 jobs overall. Many public and private leaders have identified workforce development as one of the strategic needs to mature and grow the outdoor recreation economic sector.

69

%
of Oregonians recreate
69% of Oregonians participate in some type of outdoor recreation.
nature

Parks in Oregon

Oregon’s extraordinary and diverse outdoor lands and waters are a huge part of why so many people love to live in, work in and visit our beautiful state. There’s skiing in the Cascades, fishing in our many rivers, biking our scenic bikeways or hiking in our state parks. We have 363 miles of free and public coastline, a National Park at Crater Lake, and almost half of our state is covered in forests.

Crater Lake

Crater Lake National Park is one of many world-class resources Oregonians have access to.

A Plethora of Activities

No matter your skill level or preferred activity, Oregon has plenty to offer. The outdoor recreation economy provides an inspiring vision for the future health and vibrancy of rural and urban communities of Oregon. Outdoor recreation in Oregon means a walk in the park after dinner, camping on the coast for vacation, hiking a mountain on the weekend and more.

people
$16.4 BILLION
in Oregon consumer spending
money%20(1)
$5.1 BILLION
in wages
+28%25
$749 MILLION
in state and local tax
revenue
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175,000
in Oregon jobs
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Discover What's Out There for You

About OREI

The outdoor industry is a powerhouse of meaningful job creation and a driving force of Oregon’s economy, creating a unique quality of life in rural and urban areas and attracting new businesses and professional talent to our communities.
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Workforce Training

Oregon State University has a proven track record of building custom and non-credit workforce trainings, from self-paced learning opportunities to online continuing education classes, and is uniquely positioned to do this work for the outdoor recreation economy.
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Career Pathways

There are many job opportunities in the outdoor recreation economy for those with the right skills and experience. We are currently building a database of job openings along with various pathways to help you build out your credentials and get to work.
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OREI

Who We Are

OREI was created to join forces with private and public partners to strategically address a critical need for workforce development identified in Oregon and beyond.

Learn more about the OREI team.

Get Involved

Take the first step to get involved with accelerating the growth of this rapidly expanding industry.

Contact us

We’d love to hear from you! Let us know if you have any questions or comments about the initiative!
541-737-4197
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