Iowans gathered at the State Capitol for Celebrate Iowa’s Outdoors Day to highlight the value of the state’s parks, trails, and public lands, and to urge legislators to prioritize outdoor recreation and conservation funding, according to an article by Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Joe McGovern, president of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, called for a celebration of the state’s natural spaces while reminding attendees of the need to protect them.
Rep. Austin Baeth emphasized the unifying power of the outdoors and warned against unchecked urban development threatening Iowa’s natural habitats.
According to Adam Shirley, CEO of Iowa’s County Conservation System, outdoor recreation now contributes $8 billion annually to Iowa’s economy, with parks alone generating $3 billion—up from less than $1 billion in 2012.
A recent study also found trails, lakes, and conservation areas positively impact both the environment and public health.
Cycling alone accounts for $1.4 billion in economic activity, according to Luke Hoffman of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition.
Lawmakers including Rep. Bobby Kaufmann and Sen. Dan Dawson acknowledged long-standing public support for funding the state’s Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, created in 2010 but never financed.
Despite bipartisan calls to activate the fund through a small sales tax increase, recent proposals to repeal it in favor of property tax relief failed to advance.
Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott criticized efforts to restrict public land acquisition and urged policymakers to align budgets with Iowans’ conservation priorities.
The event underscores the growing economic and social importance of outdoor recreation in Iowa, reinforcing its role not only in tourism but also in environmental preservation and community well-being—an essential pillar of the broader outdoor recreation industry.