For generations, the American promise of outdoor access — to hike, hunt, fish, camp and explore our public lands and waters — has been woven into our national identity. But that promise is under threat. Traditional conservation and recreation funding is shrinking at every level of government, public land infrastructure is aging, and too many communities are losing access to the outdoor experiences that make this country special.
Public agencies are doing their best to adapt. They’re shifting management strategies to keep pace with soaring demand. But the simple truth is this: resources to supply quality outdoor recreation are woefully inadequate — and the result is a slow deterioration of our public lands, our waters, and ultimately, access itself.
At The Great Outdoors Fund, we believe that safeguarding outdoor access requires a bold and practical solution — one that goes beyond politics, beyond bureaucracy, and toward partnership. That’s why we’ve pioneered a nonpartisan public-private funding model to fill in the gaps and move urgently needed recreation and restoration projects from idea to reality.
The model is simple: Private investment. Public lands. Shared future.
Across the country, we’re seeing the power of this approach. Local communities know what they need — whether it’s a new boat ramp, trail restoration, improved signage, or accessible fishing piers. But too often, the public funding needed to deliver these solutions is tied up in red tape, or simply doesn’t exist. The Great Outdoors Fund steps in to match public dollars with private contributions, build momentum through community engagement, and get projects done.
These visible improvements do more than enhance the outdoor experience. They’re critical investments in our economy, our health, and our national identity. Outdoor recreation is a $1.2 trillion economic engine, supporting over 5 million jobs and sustaining rural communities from coast to coast. But it depends on access to healthy forests, clean rivers, and resilient infrastructure that can meet demand sustainably.
When companies contribute to this effort, they become more than just sponsors — they become stewards. Their employees recreate on these lands. Their customers depend on them. And their brands are seen as partners in something far more enduring than a product line: the protection of America’s natural heritage.
Corporate support for sustainable outdoor recreation isn’t just a philanthropic gesture — it’s smart business. Because the bottom line is this: fewer recreation sites means fewer recreationists… which means fewer customers. And ultimately, diminished returns. By investing in our public lands and waters, Corporate America helps sustain the very markets it depends on.
That’s why companies like Yamaha, Volkswagen, Oxy, and others are stepping up in states from coast to coast — funding real projects, not abstract campaigns. This year, with Oxy’s support, we helped rejuvenate the Ayres Natural Bridge Park in Converse County, Wyoming, by leveraging the county’s funding for the refurbishment of the underground sprinkler system throughout the park. We helped purchase and install a new playground and teeter-totter, built an ADA-compliant walkway around the park, and installed new picnic tables and grills in the campground – helping the local community enjoy a safe place of respite in the outdoors. And this year we have even more projects in Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas – these are campsites, boat ramps, interpretive signs, and trailheads that the public can see, use, and appreciate. They’re legacy investments, providing accessibility — and they’re making a difference.
Public-private partnerships like ours are not a replacement for federal funding — they’re a complement. We support landmark legislation like the Great American Outdoors Act, the EXPLORE Act, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. But in an era of tightening budgets and rising demand, we need new tools. And we need them now.
The Great Outdoors Fund exists to unlock private investment in public good, bridge the gaps politics can’t, and ensure future generations experience the same freedom, wonder, and connection that define our outdoor heritage.
We’re asking companies to step forward with us — not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s a smart investment in the places their employees and customers care about most. Every dollar contributed is a visible improvement, a strengthened community, and a shared win for the great outdoors.
Let’s build that future. Together.
Lori McCullough, CEO of The Great Outdoors Fund, has more than 25 years of leadership experience in conservation and outdoor recreation. She wrote this for InsideSources.com.
