Connecting with Utah Communities: Outdoor Recreation Strategy

DescripThe Bureau of Land Management (BLM)-Utah has released a new five-year strategy for its Recreation and Visitor Services Program. The new strategy, “Connecting with Utah Communities,” aims to position the resources of the BLM’s Recreation and Visitor Services Program to achieve the social, economic, and environmental goals of the communities located near Utah’s public land while expanding the outdoor recreation to public land visitors. “This strategy confirms that BLM-Utah’s Recreation and Visitor Services Program is firmly committed to a community-based approach to outdoor recreation management,” said Jenna Whitlock, acting BLM-Utah State Director. “We welcome all interested stakeholders to partner with us to identify and achieve our common goals for Utah’s public land visitors.” “Connecting with Utah Communities” calls for BLM-Utah to increase its collaborative efforts with local communities, businesses, and other outdoor recreation service providers in order to provide public land visitors with the recreational opportunities and experiences that communities value most. Utah Office of Tourism Managing Director Vicki Varela said the new strategy will help travelers make the most of the opportunities and unique experiences they seek during travel. “The ‘Connecting with Utah Communities’ is helping the Utah Office of Tourism connect visitors to Utah's stunning natural resources, and leading to discovery of landscapes that are off the beaten path," Varela said. Ashley Korenblat, managing director of Public Land Solutions, said this strategy lays the foundation for long-term sustainable opportunities for tourism and outdoor recreation in our local communities. “With more coordination among cities, counties, volunteer groups, and the BLM, we can create and improve recreation assets around the state that will attract both visitors and quality-of-life recruits–people who want to move their businesses to Utah because of the incredible public land.” In 2015, Utah’s public land provided over 7.5 million visitors with a wide variety of world class outdoor recreation opportunities, which supported almost 4,500 jobs and contributed $460 million in economic activity to the state of Utah. BLM-Utah’s new five-year Recreation and Visitor Services strategy can be found on our website at http://on.doi.gov/20FGLO6. Join the conversation! Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BLMUtah Twitter - https://twitter.com/blmutah