The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) presented its 2024 Legends Awards, as well as Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Industry Awards, at ORR’s first-ever National Outdoor Recreation Executive Forum held in Washington, D.C., last week. This event brought together an unprecedented number of government agency officials, bipartisan Members of Congress, Governors, CEOs, and other leaders from across the industry’s many segments to drive collective goals and strategies forward.
Since 1991, Legends Awards have honored employees from federal agencies that manage outdoor recreation on public lands and waters for outstanding work to improve outdoor recreation experiences and opportunities for the American people.
“The Legends Awards are the only peer-nominated award in the federal land and water management agencies, and they recognize civil servants for their dedication to expanding and enhancing recreational opportunities. This year’s awardees have worked tirelessly to connect more people to the outdoors and increase participation through their work with the business community, inclusive programming, and innovative partnerships. It is an honor to highlight their leadership and I commend them for their commitment to ensuring outdoor experiences are accessible to every American now and for future generations,” said Jessica Wahl Turner, President of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable.
2024 Legends Awardees are:
Tim Finger, Bureau of Land Management Outdoor Recreation Planner, presented by Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning
Scott Sunderland, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Supervisory Natural Resource Manager at Blue Marsh Lake in Pennsylvania, presented by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Natural Resources Management Chief Jeff Krause
Loretta McEllhiney, USDA Forest Service Colorado Fourteeners Program Manager, presented by USDA Forest Service Associate Deputy Chief Jacqueline Emanuel
Bob Ratcliffe, National Park Service, retired Division Lead for Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Programs, presented by Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals Executive Director Rachel Franchina
At the event, three additional leaders in outdoor recreation were recognized by ORR:
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders was presented with an Outdoor Recreation Leadership Award at the National Outdoor Recreation Executive Forum, which she attended and participated in on a panel. The award recognizes the Governor’s leadership in establishing the Natural State Initiative to advance Arkansas’ $4.1 billion outdoor recreation economy and create a thriving environment for businesses and the recreating public to enjoy Arkansas’ many natural resources, as well as her support of the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro received the Outdoor Recreation Leadership Award and will be formally recognized at a later date.
Bob Martin, President & CEO of THOR Industries, was presented with the Outdoor Recreation Industry Leader Award in recognition of his deep commitment to expanding equitable access to the outdoors.
“I congratulate all our awardees and appreciate their expertise, sincerity, and deep commitment to drive a collective vision for the outdoor recreation economy forward,” said Turner.