In partnership with the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation, the University of Nevada, Reno has developed two programs to address the increasing demand for skilled professionals in outdoor recreation. The new programs include a specialization in Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Management and a minor in Outdoor Adventure and Leadership (ODAL). The Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Management specialization is part of the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, developed in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, while the ODAL minor is housed in the Kinesiology Department within the School of Public Health.
Both programs will support the outdoor recreation field, part of a trillion-dollar industry according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In Nevada alone, the industry generated $6.1 billion and supported 54,000 jobs in 2022. Nevada State Parks consistently attract more than 4 million visitors annually, comparable to renowned national parks like the Grand Canyon and Yosemite.
The Nevada Shared Stewardship Group, which includes federal partners such as the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, has contributed to developing these new programs. The Shared Stewardship Group is a strategic multi-agency collaboration to address multifaceted challenges facing Nevada’s communities and natural environment. “The University’s new programs will establish pathways for students to pursue careers in outdoor recreation and natural resources management, leading to great opportunities for them and enhancing our shared stewardship of Nevada’s amazing landscapes,” Cheva Gabor, Nevada State Liaison for the Intermountain Regional Office of the United States Forest Service said.
“We appreciate all the effort the University and other partners are putting into this important long-term investment to build an innovative and professional public land management workforce in Nevada,” John Raby, Nevada State Director of the Bureau of Land Management said.
The Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Management program emphasizes sustainability and stewardship of natural resources. This program combines existing courses in environmental science and business with four new courses designed to prepare students for careers in Nevada’s outdoor-based tourism industry. These interdisciplinary courses include Introduction to Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Management; Environmental Interpretation and Communication; Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Marketing and Profit Centers; and Sustainable Recreation Use of Public Lands.
This program aims to provide students with training necessary for advancing into operations and management positions within both private outdoor recreation sectors and government agencies involved in planning oversight on public lands. Students may enroll starting fall 2024 while earning a business administration minor alongside their environmental science degree with this new specialization.
“We want graduates to be able to apply environmental science concepts in business decisions to help sustain outdoor recreation opportunities and our natural environments,” Claus Tittiger, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at CABNR said. “This specialization will provide students with a much broader spectrum needed to help make both profitable and environmentally responsible decisions.”
“Environmental science majors are typically passionate about improving interactions between humans and natural resources," Dr. Bill Payne, Dean of CABNR said. "The Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Management broadens potential avenues for them while filling a key economic need."
The ODAL Minor offers curriculum focused on leadership, recreation, stewardship preparing graduates for careers within growing adventure tourism industries through place-based experiential learning integrating lectures field experiences Sierra Nevada Great Basin Lake Tahoe Region Courses like Introduction Outdoor Skills Extended Field Expedition Leadership Practicum develop competencies backpacking rock climbing backcountry skiing whitewater rafting transferable skills leadership communication risk assessment teamwork adversity tolerance valuable any student Dr Andy Rost Director ODAL Minor said
"The ODAL program not only equips our students with essential leadership technical skills but also promotes physical well-being mental health environmental stewardship Graduates prepared inspire lead growing field outdoor adventure contributing healthier communities deeper appreciation natural world." Muge Akpinar-Elci Md MPH Dean Professor School Public Health said
NDOR working support development each these programs Currently NDOR collaborating Nevadas Congressional Delegation identify potential funding sources enhance university offerings Denise Beronio Administrator NDOR said Our goal cultivate leaders embrace stewardship excited harness momentum promote workforce opportunities educational platform ###