Boutique Outdoor Economy Expertise
Firefly Outdoor + Economics is on a mission to help public and private sector clients across the nation fully leverage the outdoor economy by providing a broad suite of services based on our experience with economic development and the outdoor sector. We are a trusted advisor to clients in need of boutique outdoor economy expertise.
This is a moment when the outdoor economy is getting much-deserved attention. Nationally, the economic impact of outdoor recreation now surpasses $1 trillion, while here in our home state of Pennsylvania the outdoor economy generates $17 billion in economic value and sustains nearly 7,000 businesses. Across the nation, 20 states now have Offices of Outdoor Recreation to help serve as supportive frameworks, facilitators of industry partnerships, and clearinghouse for information about the outdoor sector.
As a result, more municipalities, counties, regions, non-profit organizations, and private businesses than ever before are wondering how they can fully engage with the outdoor economy and benefit from the resilient economic growth and high quality of life that come from it.
Unfortunately, most aren’t sure where to start. And our collective ability to provide the resources these would-be champions of the outdoor economy need for strategic advice and assistance is not scaled to meet the growing demand.
That’s why we created Firefly Outdoor + Economics, a boutique outdoor economy consultancy with the mission to help public and private sector clients across the nation embrace and fully leverage the outdoor economy by providing a broad suite of services, from strategic advising to planning to program development. We seek to be a trusted partner to clients in need of tailored, pragmatic outdoor economy expertise.
Firefly is structured as a non-profit social enterprise staffed by a deep bench of economic developers, communications and marketing experts, grant and financing gurus, workforce development professionals, and government relations specialists to power Firefly’s work behind the scenes. And we have an extensive rolodex of friends, collaborators, and fellow consultants across the economic and environmental fields—experts in their own right—with whom we hope to partner to serve our clients.
We look forward to working with you.
Silas Chamberlin, Ph.D.
Principal
Silas’s 15-year career has spanned leadership roles in economic development and conservation that have given him experience with a broad array of economic development programs and projects and deep relationships within the conservation and outdoor recreation communities. As a PhD historian, Silas literally wrote the book on the history of hiking and trails, and he speaks and writes widely on the outdoor economy, trails and economic development. Now—through Firefly—he actively works to bring the economic and conservation communities together.
