Today, Thrive Outside Pittsburgh, a regional ecosystem dedicated to expanding access to outdoor recreation, especially for youth and families, officially launches. Thrive Outside Pittsburgh is building a regional ecosystem that expands access to outdoor recreation, strengthens youth development pathways, and activates the region’s parks and public spaces as engines of social impact. Rooted in the belief that outdoor experiences are vital to physical health, emotional well-being, and lifelong learning, this initiative connects youth and families across Pittsburgh to regular, meaningful engagement with nature.
Thrive Outside Pittsburgh is powered by the Outdoor Foundation and driven by a collaborative effort uniting city, county, and state agencies, educators, recreation providers, and community-based organizations. Backbone support is provided by the Outdoor Inclusion Coalition, with strategic guidance from a Steering Committee composed of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Pittsburgh Public Schools, and Propel Charter Schools.
“Thrive Outside Pittsburgh is about creating opportunities for all youth to confidently explore and thrive outdoors,” says Marcus Shoffner, President and CEO of The Outdoor Inclusion Coalition. “By uniting diverse stakeholders, we are building a sustainable foundation for equitable access to nature for generations to come.”
The initiative will operate through three interconnected committees:
· Youth Committee: Integrates outdoor education into school systems and after-school/summer programs.
· Regional Outdoor Recreation Committee: Aligns public agencies and partners to strengthen investment and coordination across the region’s recreation infrastructure.
· Events Committee: Cultivates public enthusiasm for outdoor recreation through community-facing experiences.
Thrive Outside is a nationwide movement led by the Outdoor Foundation and its partners to build and support communities dedicated to increasing outdoor access for youth and families. It uses a “backbone organization” to manage community efforts. Local partners form a steering committee, and community partners work together to benefit the community.
“This initiative builds on the strong foundation of partnerships already thriving in Pittsburgh’s communities,” said Lesford Duncan, Executive Director of the Outdoor Foundation. “By strengthening and expanding this collaborative network, we’re supporting the region to create an outdoor recreation economy that is more inclusive, resilient, and inclusive.”
Thrive Outside Pittsburgh Organizational Structure
BACKBONE ORGANIZATION Outdoor Inclusion Coalition
STEERING COMMITTEE Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Pittsburgh Public Schools, Propel Charter Schools
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
· Allegheny County Parks and Recreation
· Allegheny County Parks Foundation
· Ascend Climbing
· Bike Pittsburgh
· Butler County Parks and Recreation
· City of Pittsburgh Parks and Recreation
· Community Forge
· Cycles for Change
· Dick’s Sporting Goods
· Environmental Charter School
· Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
· Pennsylvania Environmental Council
· Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League
· Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation
· Ruach Bike Club
· Southwestern Pennsylvania Climbers Coalition (SWPACC)
· Venture Outdoors
· Watersmith Guild/SurfSup
· Women and Girls Foundation of SWPA
· Woods Room
“I’ve seen it in communities all across the Commonwealth — when we get outside, we thrive,” said Nathan Reigner, Pennsylvania’s Director of Outdoor Recreation. “Spending time outdoors helps us feel better, connect with our neighbors and our natural world, and it’s essential for our communities to rejuvenate and for our economy to thrive.”
About the Outdoor Inclusion Coalition
The Outdoor Inclusion Coalition (OIC) is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing access to outdoor recreation through experiential education and community-driven systems change. OIC develops and implements year-round adventure programs, including the Urban Wilderness Program, Youth Equity in Snow Sports (YESS), and other nature-based learning experiences that connect youth and families to the outdoors while fostering leadership, wellness, and environmental stewardship. Through its community impact model, OIC convenes cross-sector partners from education, government, and the nonprofit sector to align resources and strategies that strengthen regional access to the outdoors.
About the Outdoor Foundation
The Outdoor Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Outdoor Industry Association, is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to getting people outside for their health, the health of communities, and the health of the outdoor industry. Through community investment and groundbreaking research, the Outdoor Foundation works with partners across the country to address equity barriers and help make the outdoors accessible for all. Visit outdoorfoundation.org for more information.
