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Photo: Nathan Reigner spoke at the Yough River Park in Connellsville, PA on August 23, 2023 after Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (second from left) announced the official launch of a new Commonwealth of PA Office of Outdoor Recreation directed by Reigner.

NARROWSBURG – Pennsylvania Director of Outdoor Recreation Nathan Reigner will deliver the keynote address at the Upper Delaware Council’s (UDC) 36th Annual River Valley Awards on September 22.

Public nominations for the banquet to be held at Central House Family Resort in Beach Lake, PA are being accepted through August 23. Reservations at $34 are due by September 13.

Pennsylvania established its first-ever Director of Outdoor Recreation position in January of 2022, working within the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

Recognizing that PA enjoys the sixth largest outdoor recreation economy in the nation at $17 billion with more than 164,000 associated jobs, PA Governor Josh Shapiro established Pennsylvania’s Office of Outdoor Recreation, which Reigner directs, in 2023.

The Office’s mission is to unite, grow, and strengthen Pennsylvania’s outdoor economy by expanding and ensuring equitable access, investment, conservation, collaboration, and business development related to outdoor recreation in the Commonwealth.

In his address, Director Reigner will share an expansive vision for how outdoor recreation not just connects participants with Pennsylvania’s great outdoors and improves our public health, but also creates entrepreneurial opportunities, drives prosperity in communities, and enhances Pennsylvania’s economic competitiveness.

Nathan Reigner, Ph.D., is Pennsylvania’s first Director of Outdoor Recreation. He was instrumental in the establishment of Pennsylvania’s Office of Outdoor Recreation.

Prior to beginning his service with the Commonwealth in 2021, Reigner was a member of Penn State’s research faculty and Principal of Recreation Tourism Science, an applied outdoor recreation consultancy.

Throughout his career, Reigner has focused on helping communities, parks, trails, and tourism destinations deliver outstanding experiences while protecting their essential character.

Reigner has worked in and with more than 100 national and state parks, forests, trails, historic sites, and heritage areas in more than half the states and territories in the U.S. and overseas in Europe, Asia, the Arctic, and the Middle East.

A native of Pennsylvania, Reigner graduated from Upper Perkiomen High School, has a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Sociology from Gettysburg College, a Master of Science in Forestry from Virginia Tech, and a Doctorate in Natural Resource Management from the University of Vermont.

Reigner serves as a liaison among industry, non-governmental organizations, user, and government partners to communicate the significance of outdoor recreation, address needs for systematic support and investment in outdoor recreation, and welcome all residents of and visitors to Pennsylvania to enjoy and benefit from the commonwealth’s diverse and exceptional outdoor experiences.

He led a statewide tour to engage more than 550 individuals and partners in outdoor recreation to gain critical feedback on the direction of the sector in the Commonwealth. He also joined Governor Shapiro to launch the Outdoor Business Alliance earlier this year.

The River Valley Awards on Sunday, September 22, will begin with a 3 p.m. hors d’oeuvres and cash bar reception, followed by a 4 p.m. buffet dinner, the keynote address, and presentation of honors.

Please contact the UDC at (845) 252-3022 or visit www.upperdelawarecouncil.org for more information on the awards banquet.