AMERICAN RECREATION COALITION (ARC) — is a Washington-based non-profit organization formed in 1979. Since its inception, ARC has sought to catalyze public/private partnerships to enhance and protect outdoor recreational opportunities and the resources upon which such experiences are based. ARC conducts research on a regular basis, organizes and conducts national conferences and meetings and disseminates information through a variety of newsletters, columns and other media regarding recreational needs and initiatives. ARC also monitors legislative and regulatory proposals that influence recreation and works with government agencies and the U.S. Congress to study public policy issues that will shape future recreational opportunities.

For more than 20 years, ARC has sponsored monthly Recreation Exchange luncheons to stimulate dialogue between the recreation community and national policymakers who play a key role in shaping recreation’s future. ARC also holds quarterly policy forums designed for open discussion and creative new initiatives on public policies influencing outdoor recreation in America. Forums have examined the lessons learned on recreation fees on public lands, recreation and health opportunities in the outdoors, volunteerism on public lands and much more.

Since 1996, ARC has coordinated Great Outdoors Week in June, when leaders of the recreation community gather in Washington to take part in meetings and events designed to: increase the visibility of outdoor recreation on the national policy-making level; heighten the understanding and appreciation of recreation’s importance to the nation’s health, economy and quality of life; provide an opportunity to highlight key recreation policy initiatives and programs; and recognize outstanding leadership on behalf of outdoor recreation. In 2004, President Bush proclaimed June to be Great Outdoors Month, expanding the opportunities for the recreation community to focus public attention on the importance of outdoor recreation.

ARC played the central role in the creation and operation of the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors, which worked from 1985 to 1987. Among the many ARC-inspired recommendations of the Commission were the creation of the National Scenic Byways Program and the Recreational Trails Program, revisions to federal recreation fee programs including retention of fees at collection sites, and promotion of public lands volunteerism through Take Pride in America. There are now 96 nationally designated National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads and a federal grant program for state scenic byway systems. The Recreational Trails Program now returns tens of millions of dollars annually in federal fuel taxes paid by off-road recreation enthusiasts to the states for trail projects serving all trail interests, motorized and non-motorized. The recreation fee demonstration program, an ARC initiative that is extended through 2005, has brought more than $900 million in new funding to federal land-management agencies to enhance visitor facilities and services since its inception in 1996.

ARC has been centrally involved in the Take Pride In America (TPIA) campaign, both the program’s original design in 1985 and its relaunch in April 2003. TPIA is a national partnership that aims to seek, support and recognize volunteers who work to improve our national parks, wildlife refuges, public lands, cultural and historic sites, playgrounds and other recreation areas. ARC coordinates the Partners Council and Friends of Take Pride in America, created the Official Take Pride in America Volunteer Guide, which contains information on legal protection for volunteers and also provides important and useful information as well as special offers and expressions of appreciation. And ARC has also joined Bass Pro Shops to create the Take Pride on-line store, offering the public logo items and generating revenues to support TPIA programs and projects.

In 1996, ARC led efforts to establish a National Recreation Lakes Study Commission in order to enhance recreation opportunities at more than 1,700 federally managed, man-made lakes across the country. The Commission completed its report in 1999 and work is now under way in the Congress and the Executive Branch to follow up on its recommendations.

In 1984, ARC played a key role in amending the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act to create the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund, popularly known as the Wallop-Breaux Fund. Using moneys generated through a 10% excise tax on fishing equipment and a portion of the tax collected on sales of recreational motorboat fuels, Wallop-Breaux funds enhancements in boating and fishing opportunities. In 1998, ARC spearheaded the effort to strengthen that program significantly, assuring more funds for needed boating safety efforts, instituting a new outreach program to help more Americans enjoy leisure time on our public waters, and recovering an additional $135 million in boater fuel taxes for boating and fishing enhancement.

Among the organizations in which ARC plays a central role are: the American League of Anglers and Boaters, the Coalition for Recreational Trails, the Scenic Byways Coalition and Take Pride in America Partners Council. In 1989, ARC catalyzed the creation of the Recreation Roundtable, comprised of the CEO's of many of the nation's most prominent recreation companies. Roundtable projects have included: Partners Outdoors, an important partnership-building conference held annually; national research on recreation motivation, satisfaction levels and barriers; and support for innovative partnership efforts such as "WOW -- Wonderful Outdoor World," a program to introduce city kids to outdoor fun through camping, fishing and other activities. The Roundtable's research work led to the creation of the Recreational Quality Index (RQI), a statistical tool used to evaluate Americans' recreational habits and overall satisfaction with the quality of their recreational experiences.

ARC is now a well-established national federation of more than 100 private sector organizations. Its volunteer leaders run the nation's most prominent recreation companies and recreation-related associations.