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Item 2025 Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Report(University of Wyoming Libraries, 2025-01-22) McCoy, Daniel P; Scott, Mary KatherineThe 2025 Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Report highlights the significant economic, cultural, and social contributions of outdoor recreation to the state. In 2023, Wyoming's outdoor recreation sector generated $2.2 billion in GDP (4.1% of the state’s total) and employed over 15,798 individuals. Key outdoor activities, including snow sports, fishing, and kayaking, experienced notable growth, driven by collaborative initiatives and grassroots projects. The report underscores efforts to enhance recreational infrastructure through the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaborative Grant program, which has funded projects improving accessibility, safety, and economic impact statewide. Events like the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Summit and the Governor’s Match Shooting Tournament illustrate the sector's dynamic growth and community engagement. This comprehensive report, prepared by the WORTH Institute in partnership with the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation, serves as a roadmap for strategic growth and stewardship.Item The Economic Impact of the Wyoming State Fair and Fairgrounds(University of Wyoming Libraries, 2024-07-01) Holland, MorganThe WSF has celebrated Wyoming’s culture since its founding in 1905. Held on the Wyoming State Fairgrounds in Douglas, WY each year in August, the WSF showcases agriculture, craftsmanship, entertainment, and culture from around the state. In addition to the many exhibitions, competitions, and shows held during the fair, the state fairgrounds play host to events year-round, including rodeos, demolition derbies, agriculture and trade shows, equine events, and many others. The WSF and non-fair events held at the fairgrounds contribute to the economy of Converse County through both fair operations and visitation. The WSF has an annual budget of approximately $1.8 million, which it uses to pay full-time employees, contractors, and seasonal workers, maintain fairground property and equipment, and buy supplies needed to host events. This spending has ripple effects in Converse County that are estimated in this report using input-output modeling.Item 2024 Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Summit Proceedings(University of Wyoming Libraries, 2024-08-26) Kruger, Taylor; McCoy, DanielThe 2024 Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Summit (WORS) brought together stakeholders from across Wyoming to discuss the successes and challenges of outdoor recreation in the state. Organized by the WORTH Initiative and the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation, the summit focused on the economic impact of outdoor recreation, fostering community support, and bridging divides between different user groups. The event included sessions on various topics, such as inclusive recreation, trail system economics, and co-existence between recreationists and wildlife. The summit also hosted the first annual Search and Rescue Conference (SARCON), addressing growing concerns in search and rescue operations due to increased outdoor activity. Participants expressed enthusiasm for future summits and the continued collaboration among Wyoming's outdoor recreation community.Item 2023-24 Annual Report: Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality Initiative (WORTH)(University of Wyoming Libraries, 2024-06-21) McCoy, Daniel; Scott, Mary KatherineThe 2024 Annual Report for the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality (WORTH) Initiative; summarizes a year of significant accomplishments, impactful research, and strategic growth within Wyoming’s second largest industry—tourism. The mission at WORTH remains steadfast: to support and expand Wyoming’s outdoor recreation, tourism, and hospitality sectors while ensuring sustainability and long-term benefits for our residents and communities. It showcases various projects and initiatives across Wyoming aimed at enhancing outdoor recreation infrastructure and accessibility while ensuring sustainable growth and conservation of natural resources. The report emphasizes the collaborative efforts of the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Office, local communities, and stakeholders in supporting the outdoor recreation sector, showcasing Wyoming's commitment to balancing development with environmental stewardship and community well-being.Publication Managing Public Lands for All(University of Wyoming Libraries, 2024-05-01) Franklin, Manasseh; Sibbald, Kelsie; McCoy, Daniel; Davidson, CurtHappy Jack Recreation Area and Pole Mountain Open Space are home to a popular trail system near Laramie, Wyoming. Adjacent to Interstate-80 and a quick ten-minute drive from town, the trail network is where many residents and visitors get outside and recreate. It is managed by the Laramie Ranger District of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest and accommodates for multiple uses year-round, such as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fat-biking and nordic skiing. Multi-Use Trails (MUT) systems have the potential to cause conflict and safety issues among different user groups. Because of the growing popularity of the trail system and personal experiences on these trails, we set out to talk to user groups of the trail network to help understand what issues exist in the MUT system at Happy Jack and Pole Mountain Recreation Area and to determine potential next steps for stakeholders and the US Forest Service.Publication Gap Analysis Report(University of Wyoming Libraries, 2024-04-25) McCoy, Daniel; Scott, Mary Katherine; Shamloo, Nilou; Holland, MorganThe following report analyzes the employment gaps, workforce development and training needs, and the extant educational and training opportunities in Wyoming as it relates to supporting the travel industry. Findings are based on information available from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the Wyoming Office of Tourism, and other official sources. This report has been prepared by the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality (WORTH) Initiative at the University of Wyoming, in collaboration with Northwest College, Sheridan College, Casper College, Central Wyoming College, and Eastern Wyoming Community College. The study was funded through the Wyoming Innovation Partnership (WIP).Publication 2024 Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Report(University of Wyoming Libraries, 2024-02-06) McCoy, Daniel PhippsThe 2024 Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Report details the growth and economic contributions of outdoor recreation in Wyoming, highlighting its importance to the state's GDP, job creation, and community development. It showcases various projects and initiatives across Wyoming aimed at enhancing outdoor recreation infrastructure and accessibility while ensuring sustainable growth and conservation of natural resources. The report emphasizes the collaborative efforts of the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Office, local communities, and stakeholders in supporting the outdoor recreation sector, showcasing Wyoming's commitment to balancing development with environmental stewardship and community well-being.Publication Wyoming State Parks Engagement: Building a Toolkit for Public Participation(University of Wyoming Libraries, 2023-03-31) Reckling, Iva; Carlson, Emma; Kobliska, JordanThis preliminary toolkit intends to improve public engagement within the agency of Wyoming State Parks. This toolkit represents a reimagining of how Wyoming State Parks can best engage the public in development decisions.Publication Proceedings from Outdoor Recreation in Wyoming: Building it the Way We Want it(University of Wyoming Libraries) Malotky, BirchPublication WORTH Annual Report, 2022-2023(University of Wyoming. Libraries) McCoy, Daniel PhippsPublication Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Report | Spring 2023(University of Wyoming. Libraries) McCoy, Daniel Phipps; Initiative, Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality; Recreation, Wyoming Office of Outdoor