# Virginia Establishes Outdoor Recreation Planning Initiative

Virginia has created its first Director of Outdoor Recreation position and a stakeholder advisory group to develop a statewide outdoor recreation economy strategy. The effort will be informed by a listening tour across the Commonwealth’s 10 tourism regions in October and November 2026. This is an early planning and market signal, not a procurement notice: the announcement identifies no solicitation, contract funding, or award. Firms in planning, conservation, tourism, workforce development, and recreation infrastructure can use the announced sessions to contribute relevant industry perspectives as the strategy takes shape.

- Heather Barrar will lead the work as Director of Outdoor Recreation, with the advisory group and regional listening tour providing channels for stakeholder input.
- Companies should treat this as early market engagement rather than a funded opportunity; no contract vehicle, procurement schedule, or funding amount is specified.
- Organizations working in outdoor recreation planning, conservation, tourism, workforce development, or infrastructure can prepare concise input on needs and capabilities to share through the regional sessions.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Environment, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** September 30, 2026

### Government Entities
- Commonwealth of Virginia
- City of Danville
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)

### Key Quotes
> That experience will continue to anchor my vision for a Commonwealth where conservation, recreation and economic development reinforce one another.
> — Heather Barrar, Director of Outdoor Recreation

> Heather Barrar is the right person to lead this work, and I’m grateful she’s taking it on.
> — Abigail Spanberger, Governor of Virginia

### Sources
- [September Releases](https://www.governor.virginia.gov//newsroom/news-releases/2026/september-releases/name-1124228-en.html) - VA