The numbers are in, and it was a big success. More than  5,775  kids and adults attended the recent Wyoming Outdoor Expo in Casper, marking a "memorable return" to the annual event  meant to give Wyomingites new skills to explore outside, according to Wyoming Game and Fish.

The attendees at the Casper Events Center had a chance to try their hand at a number of wildlife and other outdoor activities, including shooting, biking, and learning about fish spawning just to name a few. Game and Fish says more than 2,150 students attended from 32 schools statewide to learn about conservation and try hands-on outdoor activities. The 90 exhibits were hosted by 285 volunteers and staff daily from Game and Fish, State Parks, businesses, partner organizations and the community to host activities and workshops.

“To see so many youth enjoying conservation and the outdoors with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and our partners shows that Wyoming is home to a strong passion for outdoor recreation with our families and friends,” said Scott Talbott, Game and Fish director. “Thank you to all who attended, volunteered and contributed to the Wyoming Outdoor Expo to support the outdoors and our state’s youth.”

The Expo was hosted this year by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and  Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources - through the Office of Outdoor Recreation and Visit Casper.

The event, along with the recent Wyoming Outdoor Weekend in Lander, bot support Governor Matt Mead’s outdoor recreation task force recommendation to promote participation in outdoor recreation, especially with youth, according to a release from Wyoming Game and Fish. "Wyoming has a strong recreation economy with one of the highest outdoor recreation participation rates in the country. The industry generates $5.6 billion in economic impact and creates 50,000 jobs in the state. There is also capacity to expand current businesses in the outdoor recreation space and attract new businesses that can help further diversify Wyoming’s economy," states the release.

Wyoming Outdoor Expo 2018

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