In partnership with the ÁùºÏ±¦µä Division of Outdoor Recreation, the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno has developed two programs to address the increasing demand for skilled professionals in outdoor recreation. The new programs include a specialization in Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Management and a minor in Outdoor Adventure and Leadership (ODAL). The Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Management specialization is part of the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, developed in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources (CABNR), and the ODAL minor is housed in the Kinesiology Department within the School of Public Health.
Both programs will support the outdoor recreation field, part of a trillion-dollar industry, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In ÁùºÏ±¦µä alone the industry generated $6.1 billion and supported 54,000 jobs in 2022. ÁùºÏ±¦µä state parks consistently attract more than 4 million visitors annually, comparable to renowned national parks like the Grand Canyon and Yosemite.
The ÁùºÏ±¦µä Shared Stewardship Group, which includes federal partners such as the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, has contributed to the development of the new programs. The Shared Stewardship Group is a strategic multi-agency collaboration to address the multi-faceted challenges facing ÁùºÏ±¦µä’s communities and natural environment.
“The University’s new programs will establish pathways for students to pursue careers in outdoor recreation and natural resources management, leading to great opportunities for them and enhancing our shared stewardship of ÁùºÏ±¦µä’s amazing landscapes,” Cheva Gabor, ÁùºÏ±¦µä state liaison for the Intermountain Regional Office of the United States Forest Service, said.
“We appreciate all the effort the University and the other partners are putting into this important long-term investment to build an innovative and professional public land management workforce in ÁùºÏ±¦µä,” John Raby, ÁùºÏ±¦µä state director of the Bureau of Land Management, said.
The Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Management program in CABNR emphasizes sustainability and stewardship of our natural resources. This program combines existing courses in environmental science and business with four new courses to prepare students for careers in ÁùºÏ±¦µä’s outdoor-based tourism industry. The four new courses are interdisciplinary and include Introduction to Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Management, Environmental Interpretation and Communication, Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Marketing and Profit Centers, and Sustainable Recreation Use of Public Lands.
This program will provide students with the training necessary to advance into operations and management positions both within the private outdoor recreation sector and with government agencies involved in the planning and oversight of outdoor recreation on public lands. Students may enroll in the program beginning fall 2024 and can earn a business administration minor while completing their environmental science degree with the new specialization.
“We want graduates to be able to apply environmental science concepts in business decisions to help sustain outdoor recreation opportunities and our natural environments,” Claus Tittiger, the College’s associate dean of Academic Affairs, said. “This specialization will provide students with a much broader spectrum needed to help make both profitable and environmentally responsible decisions in careers in the outdoor recreation sector.”
“Environmental science majors are typically passionate about improving the interface between humans and natural resources, and the Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Management broadens the potential avenues for them to share their passion while filling a key economic need in ÁùºÏ±¦µä,” Bill Payne, dean of CABNR, said.
The Outdoor Adventure and Leadership (ODAL) Minor in the Kinesiology Department in the School of Public Health will offer students a curriculum in outdoor leadership, recreation and stewardship that positions graduates for careers in the growing outdoor adventure tourism industry. Courses like Introduction to Outdoor Skills, Extended Field Expedition, and Leadership Practicum employ place-based experiential learning that integrates lectures, field experiences, and leadership opportunities in the Sierra ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Great Basin and Lake Tahoe Region.
The ODAL Minor equips students with essential leadership and technical skills while also promoting physical well-being, mental health and environmental stewardship. Graduates of the ODAL program will inspire and lead in the growing field of outdoor adventure, contributing to healthier communities and a deeper appreciation for our natural world in fields like Outdoor Education and Interpretation, Guiding and Outfitting, Safety and Search and Rescue, and Resource Protection and Stewardship.
Graduates are prepared to inspire and lead in the growing field of outdoor adventure, contributing to healthier communities and a deeper appreciation for our natural world.
“While the ODAL program focuses on developing outdoor competency in activities like backpacking, rock climbing, backcountry skiing and riding and whitewater rafting, the transferrable skills like leadership, communication, risk assessment and management, teamwork, tolerance for adversity and uncertainty are relevant lessons in many personal and professional settings, making this a valuable minor for any student,” Andy Rost, director of the ODAL Minor, said.
"The ODAL program not only equips our students with essential leadership and technical skills but also promotes physical well-being, mental health, and environmental stewardship. Graduates are prepared to inspire and lead in the growing field of outdoor adventure, contributing to healthier communities and a deeper appreciation for our natural world," Muge Akpinar -Elci, MD, MPH dean and professor School of Public Health, said.
The ÁùºÏ±¦µä Division of Outdoor Recreation (NDOR) has been working to support the development of each of these programs’ at the University. Currently, NDOR is working with ÁùºÏ±¦µä’s Congressional Delegation to identify potential funding sources to support and enhance the two new University programs.
“Our goal is to cultivate new leaders in the industry who embrace stewardship,” Denise Beronio, administrator of NDOR, said. “We are excited to harness the momentum of outdoor recreation to promote workforce opportunities and enhance our educational platform.”
