By Tim Walz

First District U.S. Rep

June is Great Outdoors Month. With schools out and temperatures up, it’s a great time to dip a paddle into the Blue Earth river, cast a line and watch as your children reel in a batch of crappies and sunnies, or gaze over bluff country after a four-mile hike to the river’s edge. These activities can heal the soul, strengthen the mind, and shape a childhood. And they are all brought to you by the great outdoors.

As an added bonus, the great outdoors fuels our economy as well. When folks talk about economic powerhouses you often hear the names Apple, Google, and General Motors; rarely — if ever — do you hear the great outdoors mentioned in the same breath. However, the fact is the U.S. outdoor recreation industry accounts for roughly $646 billion in yearly economic activity. This amounts to 6.1 million American jobs that can’t be shipped overseas. In Minnesota alone, outdoor recreation generates $11.6 billion in consumer spending supporting 118,300 local jobs, and providing $815 million in state and local tax revenue.

These impressive numbers continue to rise even as our world becomes increasingly urbanized and technologically connected. This is a clear testament to the benefits and value that the great outdoors provide. And, the incredible part is that the outdoors is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Quite the opposite, the outdoors conforms to whatever you want it to be. Whether you use it as a place to seek solace after a tough week in the office, as a place to hunt pheasants in the prairie, fish trout or walleye in Minnesota’s lakes and streams, or as a place to seek thrills riding a new fat tire in the Minnesota winter, the experience is yours to mold and yours to enjoy.

So, while the outdoor industry is a major economic engine, the outdoor experience can provide lifelong memories no smartphone or tablet can. Because of this, it’s imperative that we promote conservation measures to ensure our national treasures—parks, rivers, lakes, streams, and the like—are around for generations to come, while, at the same time, increasing access to these treasures for the current generation. As an avid conservationist, outdoor enthusiast, and Chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, I have made finding this balance a priority.

With my colleagues on the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, I recently introduced legislation which would open more federal land to outdoor recreational activities, specifically hunting and fishing, while increasing available resources for marksmanship and safety training. Furthermore, with Representative Lummis (R-WY), I introduced the bipartisan National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act. Trails are the very foundation of access to the outdoors. However, only one-fourth of Forest Service trails are able to be maintained. The Trails Act addresses this logjam by increasing partnerships with volunteer organizations, nonprofit groups and recreation outfitters, in order to increase the number of trails that are maintained. It is my hope that we can work in a bipartisan nature to get these bills passed because the great outdoors are there for all to enjoy and cherish, whether you are a Republican, Democrat or Independent.

I know I am preaching to the choir. Minnesotans recognized and embraced the benefits of the outdoors long ago, and Minnesota is a national leader in conservation and access for all. That said, June is Great Outdoors Month. There is no better time to grab a fishing buddy or family member, hit the trail and enjoy nature. It benefits us all!