Our Work
Strategic pillars, working groups, and regional initiatives are driving equitable outdoor recreation across New York State.
Pillar 1
Advocacy & Public Funding Access
NYORC positions itself as a powerful advocate for outdoor recreation and a facilitator of access to funding, especially for under-resourced communities and projects. New York State has robust funding mechanisms for parks and conservation, including annual budget appropriations, dedicated funds such as the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), and various grant programs. However, without coordinated advocacy, these funds may not flow to the areas of greatest need or may overlook smaller grassroots initiatives. NYORC leverages its coalition voice to influence public funding priorities and helps equip our members to access funding. The ultimate aim is to ensure that public investment in outdoor recreation is equitable, sufficient, and responsive to on-the-ground needs.
Pillar 2
Capacity Building & Regional Partnerships
The success of on-the-ground initiatives often hinges on local capacity — the skills, knowledge, and relationships at the community level. Many areas of New York, particularly those serving underrepresented populations, have passionate advocates but may lack resources, formal structure, or connections to sustain and scale their efforts. NYORC addresses these challenges by providing capacity-building programs and structuring our work around the DEC regional framework to ensure localized attention. Through this pillar, NYORC will help cultivate well-resourced, knowledgeable local leaders and foster durable partnerships between public agencies and community organizations in each region.
The Open Spaces for All report is a blueprint for creating welcoming, accessible outdoor experiences.
Background & Approach
The report is rooted in a multiyear research and community engagement process. Open Spaces for All identifies structural and societal barriers that hinder access and enjoyment of public parks, green spaces, and other outdoor facilities by people of color, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and other underrepresented or marginalized groups.
The Open Space Institute (OSI), in partnership with the New York Outdoor Recreation Coalition (NYORC), has developed Open Spaces for All, a report containing community- and state-level recommendations to improve equity and access in New York’s parks and open spaces.
Open Spaces for All – Recommendations
Through Open Spaces for All, OSI and NYORC provide guidance on future policies, programs, initiatives, and creative partnerships to engage and support a growing, increasingly diverse constituency of visitors.
Engaging and empowering communities and partners.
Prioritizing equity at the forefront of future park and open space investments.
Building support and capacity for implementation of recommendations and improvements.
Honoring Indigenous people and their unique spiritual and cultural connections to the land.
Where can you help?
Working Groups
Communications
Raising NYORC’s voice across New York through newsletters, social media, and strategic messaging. This group keeps members informed, amplifies coalition wins, and builds public awareness of outdoor recreation as a statewide priority.
Membership
Growing and diversifying NYORC’s member base by clarifying the coalition’s value, improving engagement offerings, and conducting outreach to bring new organizations and advocates — especially younger, more diverse voices — into the fold.
Agency
Building bridges between NYORC members and New York State agencies including DEC and OPRHP. This group fosters direct collaboration, connects members to state resources and funding opportunities, and ensures outdoor recreation organizations have a seat at the table.
Funding
Identifying and pursuing grants, sponsorships, and revenue strategies to sustain the coalition and support member organizations. This group shares funding alerts, coordinates collaborative proposals, and works to build diverse, reliable income streams for NYORC.
Advocacy
Coordinating NYORC’s statewide legislative and policy efforts — from lobby days in Albany to annual legislative priorities. This group mobilizes the coalition’s collective voice to advance outdoor recreation funding, infrastructure, and equity at the state level.
Join a Working Group
Working groups are open to all NYORC members. Whether your strengths are in communications, fundraising, policy, or building partnerships, there’s a place for you to contribute. Get involved and help shape the future of outdoor recreation in New York.
RECREATE RESPONSIBLY
NYORC is the New York State chapter of the national Recreate Responsibly Coalition. We uphold its principles through our work.
The Recreate Responsibly Coalition aspires for everyone to have a holistic outdoor experience by advancing all aspects of responsible recreation: keeping yourself, others, and outdoor places safe; accessing outdoor benefits essential to the human experience; and building an outdoors for all through justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
To that end, we convene and connect a diverse network invested in advancing campaigns and resources focused on safe, accessible, inclusive, and responsible outdoor recreation.
Learn More | Join the Movement
GET INVOLVED
Help shape the future of outdoor recreation in New York
NYORC is a coalition built on collective action. Whether you represent a land trust, a parks department, an environmental justice organization, an outdoor adventure provider, or simply care about equitable access to the outdoors, your voice strengthens ours. Let’s work together to ensure every New Yorker can experience the benefits of nature.