Five Pillars of Outdoor Recreation
The Office of Outdoor Recreation strives to serve the citizens and visitors to Maryland and share with them the wonders of outdoor recreation. We abide by these five pillars and depend on them to guide our actions. These “Five E’s” are as follows:
Environmental Conservation and Stewardship
A group of women participate in an early morning birding walk to learn more about local wildlife.
In Maryland, we are fortunate to have a variety of outdoor landscapes to explore, from from the mountains of Western Maryland to the rivers, streams, Chesapeake and Coastal Bays, and the Atlantic Ocean. As a unit of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Office of Outdoor Recreation helps steward Maryland’s natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resources. We recognize the value of outdoor recreation as a gateway for individuals to develop an increased ethic of environmental stewardship.
Economic Development
Attendees network at the inaugural Maryland Outdoor Recreation Summit at Rocky Gap in 2024.
In March 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that Maryland’s outdoor recreation industry accounted for an impressive $10.6 billion in annual economic impact and 85,000 outdoor recreation jobs. The Office of Outdoor Recreation provides a central point of contact, advocacy, inclusion, and resources at the state level for the diverse constituents, businesses, and communities that rely on and enjoy the continued growth of the outdoor recreation economy and access to nature.
Education and Workforce Development
Members of the Maryland Climate Crew Network cohort kick off their service with team-building challenges at Outward Bound in Gwynns Falls-Leakin Park in Baltimore City.
The outdoor recreation industry is a varied field that combines knowledge of the environment with skills in social sciences, economics, and business. The Office of Outdoor Recreation assesses, enhances, and connects the existing and near-term workforce needs, training opportunities, and career development pathways within the Maryland outdoor recreation ecosystem.
Exercise Health & Wellness
Participants experience rock climbing at Rocky Gap State Park.
Outdoor recreation is commonly known as leisure activities performed in natural settings – often in parks, forests, local waterways, and other public areas. For individuals or communities that engage in outdoor recreation, the benefits extend beyond physical activity and include numerous mental and social health benefits while forming and strengthening connections to the outdoors.
Equity, Access, & Inclusion
Spanish workshops provided at Ranger School give park rangers the tools to communicate with park patrons in Spanish.
The Office of Outdoor Recreation is committed to fostering meaningful community connections and partnerships with local stakeholders to ensure that outdoor recreation opportunities are accessible to all Marylanders. We coordinate inclusive programming, outreach efforts, and collaborative initiatives to support equitable recreation access for communities that have historically faced social, geographic, cultural, physical, and economic barriers to the outdoors.
