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Rachel VandeVoort is the Director of the Montana Office of Outdoor Recreation, an office that advocates for the outdoor recreation industry and works to leverage its numerous benefits to the state. The office was created in 2016 by Montana Governor Steve Bullock, and he tapped Rachel to be its first director, where she built the office from the ground up. Since then, the office has experienced amazing growth in influence and effectiveness, and it has served as a shining example for other states that have formed similar offices. - A native Montanan, Rachel has a diverse background that makes her uniquely qualified for her role as Director. She grew up working for her family's river guiding business in and around Whitefish, MT and also spent time as a fishing guide. After graduating from the University of Montana, she worked in a wide variety of industries that are closely connected with land and recreation, including organic farming, skiing, and firearms manufacturing. Thanks to her diverse and deep experience in all facets of the outdoor world, Rachel has had great success finding common ground between sometimes-competing stakeholders to harness the collective power of Montana's recreation industry. - Rachel was slated to be a keynote speaker at Colorado Parks and Wildlife's Partners in the Outdoors Conference, an annual gathering that brings together stakeholders from all corners of the conservation and outdoor recreation industries. But because of the COVID pandemic, the in-person conference was transformed into a virtual conference—and Rachel's keynote speech was transformed into this episode of Mountain & Prairie. I was thrilled to have the chance to speak with Rachel, because her work aligns so well with the theme of the Partners in the Outdoors Conference, specifically, how do we find common ground and mutually beneficial solutions for balancing conservation and recreation. - We covered a lot in a little over an hour, including the history of her job and the office, the staggering positive economic impacts of the outdoor industry, and ideas around funding conservation through recreation now and into the future. We also talked a lot about Rachel's eclectic background and how all of her varied experiences make her uniquely qualified for her position. Rachel shares some thoughts on finding common ground among competing stakeholders, the importance of understanding history in the West, and the collaborative nature of the outdoor recreation industry. Be sure the check out the episode notes for a full list of topics discussed. - Big thanks to Rachel for taking the time to chat and to Colorado Parks and Wildlife for partnering with Mountain & Prairie for this series of podcasts. If you have a chance, visit the Partners in the Outdoors website all of the conference content—there's quite a line up of virtual courses and learning opportunities. But in the meantime, enjoy this educational episode with Rachel VandeVoort. --- FULL EPISODE NOTES: https://mountainandprairie.com/rachel/ Montana Office of Outdoor Recreation CPW's Partners in the Outdoors Virtual Conference --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:45 - Montana Office of Outdoor Recreation explained 7:45 - Massive economic impacts of outdoor recreation 10:00 - Economic impacts in Montana specifically 11:30 - Process of creating the office for Montana 12:45 - Outdoor infrastructure in Montana 15:15 - The positivity of the recreational economy 17:45 - Learning from other states' outdoor rec offices 18:45 - How Montana's rec office differs from Colorado's 20:45 - Rachel's eclectic background 22:45 - Desire to stay in Montana 26:00 - First job in organic food 29:30 - Starting her job in the firearms industry 34:00 - Communication lessons learned from a childhood in recreation 37:15 - Techniques for finding common ground between competing stakeholders 39:45 - The false premise of "consumptive" vs "non-consumptive" recreation 46:45 - Thoughts on Pittman-Robertson, Dingell-Johnson, and the future of conservation funding 54:45 - Collaboration between outdoor rec stakeholders 59:35 - Favorite books 1:01:00 - Favorite films 1:02:45 - Rachel's family history in Montana 1:03:45 - Parting words of wisdom ----- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie Podcast Mountain & Prairie SHOP Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie
On this week’s show I’m joined by Janis Putelis and Spencer Neuharth to talk about must-have whitetail and elk gear, blood thirsty wolves in World War I, and we listen to Phil the Engineer reading some mean comments. We close things out with an awesome interview with Montana’s Director of Outdoor Recreation Rachel Vandevoort. Enjoy. Connect with Ben and MeatEater Ben on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube Shop MeatEater Merch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On episode 19 I sit down with Rachel Schmidt Vandevoort for the lowdown on what you and I need to know about outdoor recreation and the outdoor recreation economy. Rachel is a native Montanans who works as the Director of the Montana Governor’s Office of Outdoor Recreation. Rachel is a powerhouse who's enthusiasm for what she does inspires so many people. We discuss the importance of the outdoor recreation economy, how to embrace change, why we should care about the outdoors, why I got asked for my birth certificate at a baseball game, and many other topics.This episode is a laid-back conversation between good friends and I hope you enjoy our banter as we talk about some serious and some silly topics and laugh at ourselves a little bit. I'm so excited to continue to share the amazing people and adventures that are shaping my life and I hope this podcast has a positive impact on yours. If you enjoyed this episode please leave me a review on your favorite platform. Urban to Country: Website, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, TwitterMontana Office of Outdoor Recreation: Website, Instagram, Facebook
East to West Hunting Podcast Episode 35 - America's Outdoor Economy: A Snapshot of Montana & Vermont With special guests Rachel Vandevoort - Director of the Montana Office of Outdoor Recreation and Michael Snyder - Vermont Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation This week, we're on the phone talking with Rachel Vandevoort and Michael Snyder about the significance of America's outdoor industry and its direct ties to economic growth, quality of life and environmental health. Rachel is Director of Montana's Office of Outdoor Recreation and Michael is the Commissioner of Vermont Forests, Parks & Recreation. Along with providing an overview of the importance of the $887 billion outdoor economy nationally, we dive in and talk about the substantial positive impacts it plays in Montana, Vermont & New York. Listen to Rachel and Michael's insights about how outdoor recreation is a win-win for everyone. Its a significant business incubator, a quality of life boon for residents and visitors alike, a boost for land health and stewardship, and a classic partnership between the public and private sectors. Its one of America's largest and most diversified economic sectors...and as Michael says, its "rooted in environmental quality". We also talk about the Outdoor Retailers' historic Confluence Accords in Denver this summer, diversity in America's outdoor economy and more. Outdoor Recreation's Confluence Accords Rachel and Michael both attended the historic Outdoor Retailers' Confluence Accords Summit this past summer and were two of eight signatories to this milestone agreement. Read more about by clicking the link HERE Vermont & Montana Recreation Website Links Visit the website for Vermont Office of Forests, Parks and Recreation - click HERE Learn more about the Montana Office of Outdoor Recreation - click HERE Rachel Vandevoort - Director of the Montana Office of Outdoor Recreation Michael Snyder - VT Commissioner of Forests, Parks & Recreation
What does it mean to grow a state's outdoor recreation economy? We talked to someone who does exactly that for a living: Rachel VandeVoort, Director of the Montana Office of Outdoor Recreation. Rachel talks about her new position, what brands can do to work with Outdoor Recreation offices, and how important it is to be an informed and passionate voter. Follow Rachel: @mtoutdoorrec / @mtraerae / MT Office of Outdoor Recreation
Rachel VandeVoort is a native of Whitefish, Montana, with four generations of family history in Montana. She is also director of the Montana Office of Outdoor Recreation. With a background working for Kimberand in the ski industry, no one could be better suited for this job. Hal goes to Whitefish to talk with Rachel about being a parent of wild outdoor children, outdoor jobs and the outdoor economy, guns, fishing and hunting on public lands.
Today’s episode of the Take Me Outdoors podcast features Luis Benitez, Colorado’s Director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry, and Jon Snyder, Washington’s Outdoor Recreation and Economic Policy Advisor to the Governor, on the topic of growing the number of states that are standing up the Office of Outdoor Recreation. For the third year in a row, the SHIFT Festival will provide a platform for action and the building of best practices around this all-important office -- one that ties together the impact of outdoor recreation, the growth of it as an economic driver and the importance of conservation. This year’s workshop is a critical part of the SHIFT Festival’s theme: The Business Case for Public Lands. SHIFT’s 2017 Festival takes place November 1-3 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and this year’s panel takes place on Nov. 1 from 8 a.m. to Noon, at the Snow King Resort, the epicenter of the action for the Festival this year. This year’s panel will be led by Cailin O’Brien-Feeney with the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), who has contributed a great deal of leadership and support to the formation of the growth of this office. Rachel VandeVoort, the newest leader in the group for the State of Montana, will also be in attendance, as will Brad Peterson, who was the very first leader appointed in this role for the State of Utah. Full details can be found here. This episode of the Take Me Outdoors podcast offers a fantastic opportunity to go deeper with two active leaders in this role, Luis Benitez of the State of Colorado, and Jon Snyder, of the State of Washington. Both share their respective state’s vision and goals around this mission-critical office, as well as what the commonalities are for the growth of this office nationwide. The episode is broken up into two interviews, the first features Luis Benetiz. Luis stepped into his role as Director for the Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry July 1, 2015, and he’s started his third year in the post and is the State of Colorado’s first Director for the Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry. He brings years of experience as a leader with Outward Bound, Fortune 200 and 500 consulting and multiple summits of Mt. Everest to the role. He also served as a Town Council Member for the City of Eagle, Colo., prior to joining Governor Hickenlooper’s team at the State of Colorado. Jon Snyder, who serves as the State of Washington Governor Jay Inslee’s Policy Advisor for Outdoor Recreation and Economic Development, also joins us in this podcast. Jon’s role coordinates policy, legislation, budget items, and outreach related to outdoor recreation. He was appointed in December 2015 after serving on the Spokane City Council for six years and owning a regional outdoor magazine for nine years. Snyder served on the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, Spokane Transit Authority, and Spokane Regional Health District as well as having a leadership role in passing local ballot measures to fund parks, streets, libraries, and public transportation. Luis and Jon give us great insights into the catalyzing effects that SHIFT has brought to the growth of this State leadership post. The podcast covers a lot - including the importance of this role to bring together a fragmented outdoor recreation economy and conservation movement and the importance of doing so to protect America’s public lands. Download this episode today to get an insider’s view of the State Office of Outdoor Recreation and Industry, and to learn more about Luis and Jon’ missions and goals. By Summer, 2018, it’s estimated that up to 10 offices will be in place in states across America. This year’s SHIFT Festival will again serve as a bellweather for the future impact of this office - please join us to learn more about it in this podcast, and at the 2017 SHIFT Festival!
On this episode of Gritty Bowmen we meet with Rachel Vandevoort of Kimber Firearms. Rachel’s friend, Nick Hoffman of Nick’s Wild Ride also joins us at SHOT Show in Las Vegas. On this episode we talk about what to carry while archery hunting for protection against bears and cougars. We discuss bear spray, calibers, revolvers, conservation, and Rachel shows us a few of the different models. Rachel is an arsenal of knowledge when it comes to guns. If you listened to last year’s podcast Episode 134 with Rachel, you know she is a firecracker and a lot of fun! Kimber is an American company that designs and manufactures premium firearms for individual, sporting, and law enforcement and military markets. Basically, Kimber makes sweet guns. And Rachel is the Trade Relations Manager at Kimber. We had a great time visiting with her and we are excited about what they’re doing with the RMEF for conservation. And go check out Nick’s Wild Ride on The Outdoor Channel and tell us what you think. -Stay Gritty
SUBSCRIBE: iTunes / RSS/Stitcher/Podbean/Android Okay friends! On this episode of Gritty Bowmen, Mark Brownlee and myself visit with Rachel Vandevoort, of Kimber Firearms, at the annual (BHA) Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Rendezvous. Kimber is an American company that designs and manufactures premium firearms for individual, sporting, and law enforcement and military markets. Basically, Kimber makes sweet guns. And Rachel is the Trade Relations Manager at Kimber. Rachel shares her thoughts on guns, calibers, conservation, hunting and more. She talks about bear spray vs. guns and she’s adept at helping people rationalize the purchase of new firearms. Rachel is fun! And she’s a wealth of knowledge. We like her because like because we think she’s pretty dang GRITTY. We had a great time visiting with her--and we think you will too.