2023 In Review
Idaho Business for the Outdoors's mission is to provide a collective, non-partisan business voice in support of the investments, jobs, innovations, revenues and wellness benefits sustained through the preservation of Idaho’s outdoors and public lands.
Celebrations
Expanding Access: Outdoor Recreation Fund Advisory Council
IBO serves as the voice of the business community on numerous boards, including its role as the current chair of the recently established Governor's Outdoor Recreation Fund Advisory Council. In response to a historic influx of funds to Idaho parks and soaring visitation numbers, Governor Brad Little created the Outdoor Recreation Fund Advisory Council. This council will recommend outdoor recreation improvement projects and increase outdoor recreation opportunities in Idaho. A one-time, $5 million allocation has been made to expand camping, fishing, hunting, trail and other outdoor activities in Idaho.
Educating: Lunch & Learn
IBO hosted 3 Learn Over Lunches with over 100 attendees learning about ESG, working lands, and regenerative agriculture.
Advocating: Idaho Parks & Recreation Budget
IBO played a vital role in securing an extra $100 million in the supplemental budget for Idaho Parks and Recreation. This appropriation is a landmark accomplishment for the state's outdoor industry, with the funds being utilized to address the backlog of maintenance issues at Idaho's parks.
Volunteering: IBO X ReWild
In 2023, we adopted two plots of land, totaling over 1 acre and worked with hundreds of members of our business and youth community. This is our commitment to continue to grow our volunteer programs and give back to the areas we strive to protect.
Impact by the Numbers
“Regence was drawn to Idaho Business for the Outdoors because of their commitment to maintaining and preserving our public lands. Spending time in the outdoors provides physical, mental and social well-being, and this is a perfect example of aligning missions to support one of Idaho’s most treasured resources.”
Research
Idaho’s Outdoors are Crucial to the Economy
Bureau of Economic Analysis in the U.S. Department of Commerce released economic data that documents the unprecedented impact of outdoor recreation on the economy. These numbers, from their 2022 data, confirm outdoor recreation contributes more than $1.1 trillion to the economy, and supports nearly 5 million jobs. This is up from $454 billion in 2021.
The Outdoor Industry Association states core activities like climbing, hiking, and tent camping, grew 40% from 2019 to 2022 reflecting a diverse participant base. Outdoor recreation was 3.1% of Idaho’s GDP in 2022 up from 2.8% in 2021.
Education
Educating children about nature & getting them outside is key to creating the next generation of environmental conservationists.
IBO works to educate and address some of the challenges and conflicts our communities are experiencing due to increased use on our public trails and waterways, and reduce negative effects of human activities on our public resources. This includes sharing responsible tips, information on working lands, and other outdoor etiquette with our community, our businesses, and employees.
Thank You
We are so grateful for our business members, donors, and the entire community of Idaho for their ongoing support of IBO. Together, we are preserving Idaho’s great outdoors for future generations. Let us forge into the new year with the same mission to protect our public land. Look out for upcoming events and join our newsletter to stay connected.