Jason Swan, founder of Rising Routes Alliance, presented a 55-page report to the Outdoor Equity Grant Program board calling the network of outdoor education and recreation providers the "essential workers of the outdoors." He summarized findings from 81 validated provider responses and interviews, and urged the board to prioritize funding that builds capacity, not just programs.

Swan highlighted four systemic barriers: unstable and unpredictable funding for small and rural providers; gaps in leadership and technical workforce development (training, retention and certification); shortages of vehicles and shared gear that limit access; and fragmented, informal partnerships that are hard to scale. "Funding a program alone won't stabilize the system," Swan said; he recommended flexible, multi-year grants and capacity investments so small providers can sustain operations and staff.

To address fragmentation, Rising Routes is developing an interactive social platform, in partnership with GreenGhostMap and RSM Collective, to make providers, programs and regional partnerships discoverable and to enable targeted investment and real-time collaboration. Swan described features including searchable provider profiles, an AI assistant to match users to programs, and a direct messaging capability to facilitate partnerships and referrals.

He also proposed convening a structured statewide advocacy coalition co-designed with providers to sustain policy and funding conversations. Board members asked about replication, methodology and next steps; Swan said the group hopes to beta-test the mapping platform with a small set of providers in the coming year and plans a more robust statewide listening campaign in summer 2026 to update and expand the research.

What happens next: Rising Routes will share the full data set and mapping tools with CPW staff and the board, and staff encouraged board members to read the report and consider how grant criteria and timelines might better support capacity-building, workforce training and shared infrastructure.