Overview

The outdoor recreation economy is one of our nation’s largest and fastest-growing economic sectors, providing livelihoods for millions of American workers. Nationally, outdoor recreation accounts for 7.6 million jobs and contributes $887 billion in annual consumer spending. The state of Colorado plays a significant role in the national outdoor economy, supporting 511,000 direct jobs and generating $28 billion in annual consumer spending. However, as the outdoor recreation industry sector is still relatively new, it holds great potential for integrating sustainability concepts into all aspects of its operations.

Sustainable development and environmental stewardship are essential for the long-term success of the outdoor recreation industry. To achieve this, innovation is needed across outdoor recreation businesses, including leadership practices and sustainable operations. Additionally, establishing new policies and regulations to govern and promote access to public lands is crucial for their sustainable use by future generations. Furthermore, leveraging outdoor amenities can foster the growth of local, sustainable economies at the community level.

MENV's Sustainability in the Outdoor Industry (SOI) specialization offers a comprehensive program that prepares students to be future leaders in the outdoor recreation economy. Our holistic approach examines the intersection of outdoor recreation businesses, public lands policy, and resilient communities, all with a strong focus on sustainability. Students gain a foundational understanding of these areas, acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge to address the challenges and opportunities of outdoor recreation.

Guiding Principles:

1. Sustainable outdoor business development: We emphasize cultivating and promoting outdoor businesses that prioritize sustainable operations. By integrating sustainable practices, these businesses contribute to land, water, and air conservation, benefiting the environment and society.

2. Advocacy for policy dedicated to land, water, and air conservation: We advocate for policies that protect and preserve natural resources, supporting sustainable outdoor recreation and conservation efforts through a robust regulatory framework.

3. Building resilient communities through outdoor recreation: We recognize the role of outdoor recreation in fostering resilient communities. By promoting outdoor opportunities, we enhance community well-being, social cohesion, and economic prosperity while ensuring long-term sustainability.

4. Improving economic prosperity and community quality of life through conservation and transformative public spaces: We believe conserving nature and culture while creating transformative public spaces can enhance economic prosperity and improve community quality of life. These efforts contribute to a more sustainable and vibrant outdoor industry.

Students listening to a speaker at the Icelandic Ski Company. 5. Increasing equity in the outdoors and the outdoor industry: We strive to increase equity by improving the quality of, and access to, outdoor spaces and opportunities. By addressing barriers and promoting inclusivity, we ensure that everyone has equal access to the benefits of outdoor recreation.

With an emphasis on sustainability, the SOI specialization equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue careers in the outdoor industry, economic development, and the public lands and natural resources policy sectors. By completing this specialized masters degree program, students become catalysts for change, driving sustainable practices, promoting environmental stewardship, and advancing equitable access to the outdoors. Through their efforts, graduates contribute to the positive development of the environment, communities, and the overall outdoor recreation economy.

 

Course Requirements

This course introduces students to the breadth of the outdoor industry and the various sustainable practices adopted across the different sectors. Outdoor industry/recreation economy definitions, theories and frameworks are discussed and critically examined. Key stakeholders are identified, along with current and future trends, opportunities, and challenges. The need for sustainable practices and how they are being implemented across the outdoor industry is discussed and analyzed, alongside the importance of cross-cultural understanding and communication within and across the outdoor industry. Finally, the diverse career opportunities that exist within the outdoor   industry are explored to help set the foundation for the SOI specialization. At the end of this course, students should be able to: 

  • Understand the concept and make-up of the outdoor industry, and recognize important issues and opportunities in public lands policy, community economic development, and sustainable business and leadership
  • Critically evaluate different definitions of the outdoor industry and discuss how this affects relevant policy development
  • Identify the different activities, organizations, and stakeholders that make up the outdoor industry
  • Compare and contrast outdoor industry consumers and develop strategies to attract different markets
  • Analyze current and emerging trends within the outdoor industry
  • Analyze and discuss the various sustainability practices adopted across the outdoor industry
  • Critically examine future challenges and opportunities facing the outdoor industry
  • Examine the different career opportunities within the outdoor industry

This course examines the important role that the outdoor recreation economy (ORE) plays in building communities of all types. Whether seeking to incentivize outdoor recreation-focused businesses to relocate to a destination, improving equitable access to outdoor recreation amenities and services to enhance quality of life, and/or developing and supporting new and exciting home-grown outdoor recreation businesses and activities, communities are increasingly recognizing the many ways in which the ORE can positively contribute to their development. In this course, students are introduced to community economic development theories, frameworks, and processes, as relevant to the ORE. Examples of various strategies and tools that can be utilized to develop tourism and outdoor recreation are evaluated, alongside the various benefits and challenges associated with their implementation. Best practices for building outdoor recreation opportunities in communities of all types are discussed, with the importance of community-focused, integrated, and sustainable destination development practices central to the creation of a resilient ORE. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Evaluate what it means to be a community and the importance of place
  • Define community economic development and identify the various steps involved in the process
  • Discuss the important role that community economic development can play in improving the diversity, equity and inclusion of the ORE
  • Explain the benefits and challenges associated with community economic development through the ORE
  • Critically evaluate the various ways in which the ORE can contribute to community economic development
  • Compare and contrast different community economic development strategies relevant to the ORE Identify and discuss different community economic development tools relevant to the ORE
  • Explain how the outdoor recreation economy can contribute to building community capacity

This course examines the philosophical underpinnings and laws related to public and private lands stewardship. The first portion of the course will track the development of American environmentalism from the concerns of the 19th Century through modern calls for intersectional environmentalism and environmental justice. The second portion of the course will focus on the major public land agency statutes and regulations, with a focus on the intersection between the outdoor industry and public lands management. Finally, the course will examine the various concerns and mechanisms for private land management and stewardship. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Describe major American environmental movements, including: transcendentalism, preservation, conservation, mainstream environmentalism, extreme environmentalism, and intersectional environmentalism. 
  • Critically examine the socio-economic, political, historical, and racial influences on the major American environmental movements. 
  • Express how past societal views and policies impact environmental management issues today. Describe the American political process, to include the various powers and interactions between different branches and levels of government. 
  • Describe the various statutory and regulatory frameworks for major federal public land-holding agencies, as particularly related to outdoor recreation and natural resources conservation. Describe the laws and issues surrounding private land use and stewardship. 
  • Collect and synthesize political, social, informational, and infrastructure information for an environmental problem; analyze and communicate the results in written and oral presentations. Situate contemporary stewardship and outdoor recreation issues within the historical context of American environmentalism, effectively communicate possible solutions in written and oral presentations. 

This course provides students with the knowledge and tools to drive environmental and social responsibility in the business sector. The first part of the course focuses on creating the case for a new business model by looking at market failures, the environmental crisis, and the critical role businesses play in being a force for good. The basics of the sustainable business paradigm (shift from shareholder capitalism to stakeholder capitalism) and the business case for sustainability are then examined, in addition to the big sustainability themes that are currently trending in business (e.g. circular economy, regenerative agriculture, carbon goals/science based targets, and intersectional environmentalism). The second part of this course explores the practical tools required to implement sustainable solutions throughout a businesses’ value chain. Focus is going to such areas as strategy development, supply chain management, product design, finance, reporting/disclosure, marketing, philanthropy, and political advocacy to create a holistic framework for how to successfully drive sustainability in a business. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Explain the business case for sustainability within the outdoor industry and beyond
  • Discuss key sustainability themes that are trending in business
  • Identify the tools required for driving positive social and environmental impact in a corporate setting
  • Evaluate business case study examples and identify sustainability best practices

SOI Electives

How can communities ensure that development is not something that just happens to them, but rather is something that is instigated from within? How can communities ensure that development builds upon community strengths and assets and reflects the needs and wants of its members? What skills, knowledge, and tools do communities need to have at their disposal in order to inspire action and take charge of their future and become more livable, resilient and sustainable?

This project-based course is offered in partnership with the Colorado Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry and the US EPA’s Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC) program and seeks to answer these questions as student teams provide planning assistance on outdoor recreation and Main Street development for three rural communities in Colorado. Each student team will be partnered with a community and will facilitate an inclusive stakeholder engagement process that culminates in a community action plan for outdoor recreation and Main Street development. Students will learn and apply best practices related to building community capital and trust, assessing community strengths, identifying gaps and opportunities, providing strategic planning and guidance, identifying, engaging and getting buy-in from diverse community stakeholders, developing successful partnerships and collaborations, and identifying relevant programs, partners and funding sources to assist with community economic development through the outdoor recreation economy. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Identify and apply best practices for building community capacity to a specific community context
  • Critically assess the strengths and assets of a community 
  • Identify gaps and opportunities for community economic development
  • Plan and implement meaningful and inclusive stakeholder engagement
  • Research the many and varied ways in which community can invest in, and develop, outdoor recreation
  • Identify relevant programs, partners and funding sources to assist with community economic development through the outdoor recreation economy
  • Recommend specific, actionable items for communities to build their capacity 
  • Communicate in a professional manner with community stakeholders 
  • Develop professional, high quality project deliverables 

This course is designed for those who will set, implement, track, and communicate progress towardssustainability goals. This course teaches you the fundamentals of a circular economy, the business valuein a circular economy, how business models are presently shifting, and most importantly, why businessesshould become part of this transformational shift. This course will also cover sustainability measurementand the skills needed to critique and improve sustainability outcomes for businesses and theirstakeholders. Knowledge and skills from this course can be used to build sustainability strategies withclear and measurable outcomes, develop sustainability plans, and support existing sustainabilityagendas with effective measurements to monitor their progress.

Upon completion of this course, studenst will be able to: 

  • Develop an understanding of main principles of a circular economy
  • Identify opportunities for circular economy improvements and how to circularize a linear businessmodel
  • Identify the three dimensions of sustainability: society, environment, and economy
  • Describe commonly used sustainability and ESG reporting frameworks, sustainability indicators andpractice their application
  • Design a sustainability strategy for an organization and measure and assess sustainability progress

This course is an applied project-based course where students will partner with a business, non-profit organization or community to address an identified problem or opportunity related to the outdoor industry. Over the course of the semester, students will be introduced to business fundamentals, project management, and other relevant skills and knowledge to help them with their projects and to better understand and manage the entrepreneurial landscape. Whether students are interested in working for a start-up, small-medium sized enterprise, non-profit or government agencies, the need for entrepreneurial thinking and skills are essential and can be applied across all sectors.

Real-world project experience will be gained through participating in the Wright Collegiate Challenge – a friendly competition supported by the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office where students work in small teams to help a business, organization or community address an identified problem or opportunity related to the outdoor industry in Colorado. Example project focus areas include: conservation, destination stewardship, visitor education, product design and development, business development, and marketing and communications. Students will be tasked with developing actionable solutions, with final deliverables judged and ranked. Participating universities include Colorado Mesa University, Colorado Mountain College and Western Colorado’s Outdoor Industry MBA program.

Upon completion of the course, studenst will be able to: 

  • Apply business fundamentals relevant to entrepreneurship
  • Navigate the various issues and challenges associated with entrepreneurship
  • Identify and develop actionable solutions to challenges and issues for the outdoor industry Communicate in a professional manner with industry stakeholders
  • Produce a high quality deliverable for an outside organization, business or community

Relevant Specialization Capstone Projects