2026 Michigan Outdoor Summit

Resources + takeaways

Catch up on key takeaways, materials, and connections from this year’s summit.

Get more people outside

▲ Support the infrastructure. Make use of enhanced technology, state income and sector-based taxes to move beyond entrance fees. Pay-to-play has relied too heavily on specific user groups and reinforces unneeded barriers.
▲ Fund governmental efforts. Through permanent funding and legislative efforts, enhance the durability of offices dedicated to public lands, outdoor industry, and rural development to support the entire ecosystem that makes up the outdoor economy.
▲ Build a culture. Nurture outdoor exploration and experiences that include access for all, training, and equipment opportunities; and those that have high risk, high reward opportunities.
▲ Close the nature gap. Establish an outdoor opportunity fund to ensure that populations that have not historically had equitable access to and/or invitations to participate in outdoor recreation.

Protect the places you love

▲ Break a sweat. Find a stewardship event where you can remove trash, build or repair trails, plant trees, restore structures, and more.
▲ Give cold, hard cash. Donate to protect the lands and waters you love.
▲ Plan some time outside. Take some time to enjoy the 37 million acres of our great state. Michigan is unique for its vast and protected outdoor spaces.
▲ Be nice, say hi! Create a culture of kindness and help ensure our trails and open spaces are welcoming for all. Parks, trails, and open spaces are for EVERYONE.

Resources + Materials

Presentations
Materials

Beyond Tourism: Outdoor Recreation as a Community and Economic Development Strategy

Presenters: Ryan Tarrant, Alexie Milukhin

Funding Sustainable Outdoor Communities

Presenter: Jeremy Johnson

Redefining Who Preserves, Leads, and Belongs to the Land

Presenters: Tyler Allyn-White, Herman Jenkins

The boardman Review Fall 26 issue

Tourism Marketing Vs. Public Investment Needs

OIA’s 2026 Outdoor Participation Trends Report

BEA’s 2024 Analysis of Michigan’s Outdoor Rec Economy

alltrails public lands program

OIA’s 2026 Outdoor Retail Trends

Who made the 2026 summit happen

Organizers
Presenters
sponsors
Founders

Heart of the Lakes
Michigan Recreation & Parks Association
TART Trails
Six Rivers Land Conservancy
Make Food Not Waste

Friends of Grand Rapids Parks
Leelanau Conservancy
Michigan DNR Parks + Recreation

Deaf Athletic
Kimberlite
Squarefoot.earth
Studio 13