Iowa governor releases task force report on outdoor recreation growth

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds released a final report from a task force created to guide the state’s new Office of Outdoor Recreation and grow the outdoor recreation economy. Its recommendations include a five-year statewide plan with measurable goals, a network connecting outdoor businesses and communities, coordinated marketing, and efforts to link recreation with agritourism, tourism, economic development, workforce development and broader access. The report also calls for stronger collaboration across public, private and nonprofit organizations, along with improved data collection and sharing, community input and potential state fee changes to help finance the sector.