The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) celebrated with Governor Abigail Spanberger as she appointed Virginia’s first full-time director of outdoor recreation, Heather Barrar, within the Secretariat of Virginia Natural and Historic Resources.
Virginia has a legacy of leading on outdoor recreation access, and the governor’s action deepens that commitment at a moment when outdoor recreation is experiencing historic recognition for its economic, community and health benefits around the country.
Outdoor recreation generates more than $14 billion in economic value for the Commonwealth annually and supports over 126,000 jobs. The announcement was made in Danville — the first city in Virginia designated a “Nature Everywhere Community” — underscoring the role outdoor access plays in community health and economic opportunity in rural and urban Virginia alike. Nationally, outdoor recreation generated $1.3 trillion in gross output and 5.2 million jobs in 2024, accounting for 2.4% of U.S. GDP.
At the center of Governor Spanberger’s announcement is expanding access to the outdoors. The new director role is charged with ensuring every Virginian — from southwest Virginia to the state’s urban centers — has close-to-home trails, parks, waterways and reliable information about where to go. Outdoor recreation remains one of the most affordable ways for families to spend meaningful time together, and keeping that access easy and low-cost is a direct, tangible way the Commonwealth can support Virginia households.
“Outdoor recreation is something every one of us can benefit from, whether you’re a hiker or biker, a hunter or angler, an RVer, boater or horseback rider, whether you are experienced or new to getting outside,” said Jessica Turner, president of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “Today’s announcement is a commitment to Virginia’s economic future, to Virginia’s health, and for Virginia’s youth. Outdoor recreation isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s essential to who we are, and this Commonwealth is recommitting to leading on it.”
“Virginia is for outdoor lovers. And outdoor recreation isn’t just important to our quality of life – it’s important to our economy,”said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “Few industries offer the same opportunity to advance so many of Virginia’s priorities at once. Heather Barrar is the right person to lead this work, and I’m grateful she’s taking it on.”
“Across 25 states, outdoor recreation has become a way of life. People are choosing the outdoors when making decisions on where to live or where to visit,” said Heather Barrar, Virginia director of outdoor recreation. “I’m honored to be Virginia’s first-ever dedicated Director and looking forward to working with my colleagues across the country to elevate our outdoor recreation economy together.”
“Today we invest in Virginia’s outdoors for future generations,” said Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources David Bulova. “This announcement affirms our commitment that every Virginian should be able to access and enjoy our public lands and open spaces — regardless of where you live and regardless of economic means.”
Research consistently shows that access to the outdoors improves quality of life, reduces the total cost of health care, and strengthens community wellbeing, including reduced anxiety, depression and chronic disease. ORR’s America’s Outdoor Era vision, including the National Executive Forum on Health and Outdoor Recreation earlier this year, is helping generate partnerships and momentum to scale outdoor recreation as a health solution nationwide. As part of this vision, ORR recently announced a $7,500 grant to St. Paul, Virginia through its Rural Outdoor Recreation and Health Grants program which will help construct an ADA-accessible entrance and improve the Riverview Trail, creating a continuous accessible route between Riverside Drive and Frank Kilgore Drive and adding a scenic overlook of the Clinch River.
Virginia’s action reflects a bipartisan trend: red, blue, and purple states alike are standing up outdoor recreation offices and joining the bipartisan Confluence of States, recognizing outdoor recreation’s role in growing local economies, retaining talent and improving public health.
