The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) has praised the U.S. Senate’s unanimous passage of a resolution declaring June 2025 as Great Outdoors Month, underscoring the importance of outdoor recreation to the nation’s economy, communities, and public health.
“Great Outdoors Month is a celebration of the places, people, and policies that make outdoor recreation possible for all Americans. It’s about recognizing the profound value the outdoors brings to our economy, communities, and health—and recommitting to protecting and expanding access to those experiences and public lands and waters,” Jessica Turner, ORR president, said in a press release.
The Senate’s bipartisan resolution continues an annual tradition that dates back to 2017 and highlights the role of outdoor activities in strengthening local economies and connecting people across the country.
The observance originally began as Great Outdoors Week under President Clinton and has been supported by every president since 1998.
Turner also noted ORR’s commitment to lead Great Outdoors Month each June and to build support for initiatives like the EXPLORE Act.
“ORR is proud to lead this effort each June and support the bipartisan momentum behind initiatives like the EXPLORE Act, which will strengthen outdoor infrastructure, grow the recreation workforce, and ensure more people can get outside,” Turner added.
The measure aims to improve outdoor infrastructure, expand the recreation workforce, and help more Americans enjoy time outside.
“We’re grateful to Senators Daines and Peters for championing the Senate resolution and reinforcing that the outdoors isn’t a partisan issue—it’s a national priority,” Turner said.
ORR represents the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation industry. ORR is encouraging the public, businesses, and elected officials to get outdoors in June and to support efforts that preserve and expand access to public lands and waters nationwide.
Additional information about Great Outdoors Month and ORR’s ongoing work to enhance outdoor recreation can be found at recreationroundtable.org.