WHAT WE DO
For many individuals, their first experience hiking along a scenic trail, navigating a river, angling for an elusive trout, or conquering a challenging biking path is often made possible by an outfitter, guide, volunteer club, university outdoor program, or non-profit outdoor organization.
These outdoor leaders and organizations play a crucial role in connecting diverse groups from different backgrounds and communities to the natural world. Outdoor leaders ensure that outdoor ventures are enjoyable and reasonably safe, and also nurture a sense of environmental stewardship. Through their leadership, people from all walks of life are able to develop meaningful connections to the expansive landscapes and waters of the United States.
In order to offer these outdoor opportunities, outdoor leaders are required to obtain special recreation permits from the agencies that manage the lands and waters they plan to visit. Unfortunately, the process for obtaining these permits is cumbersome, and not flexible enough to adapt to the evolving needs of the diverse user groups seeking access to public lands and waters. This inflexibility unnecessarily restricts opportunities for the public to experience these spaces, limits outdoor job growth, and undermines the economic vitality of rural communities dependent on recreational tourism.
To confront these challenges and enhance access to outdoor experiences, a dedicated alliance of leaders within the outdoor industry has founded the Coalition for Outdoor Access (COA).
