All people deserve to have safe, accessible places to get outside. In recent months, as cities and states across the country have been sheltering in place, the outdoors have been more important than ever for our mental and physical health. Recent events, including Ahmaud Arbery being murdered while he was out for a jog, and Christian Cooper being threatened while birdwatching in Central Park, are the latest in a long and shameful string of injustices toward Indigenous, black, and brown individuals outdoors. These events are horrifying, and they highlight longstanding inequities in who is welcome and safe in the outdoors. The history of America’s public lands and waters is inextricably linked to our history of slavery and racial discrimination, from the displacement of Indigenous communities to the history of racial segregation not only in National Parks, but most public spaces.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted nearly every aspect of our lives and caused a great deal of uncertainty, including how we get outdoors. This new set of guidelines will help us protect ourselves, others, and places we love when we adventure outside. Whether you are hiking,  paddling, or riding (a horse, mountain bike, or an ORV), these six tips offer advice on how to #RecreateResponsibly during this public health crisis:

I want to bring to your attention developments underway this week. In anticipation of Memorial Day weekend, I want to highlight the launch of a new #RecreateResponsibly coalition and it’s simple messages. We hope you might join us and consider sharing this note with your own network of NGO, business and agency partners. If you can’t join now, we’d love to know of your interest in the longer term effort.

View Jon's comprehensive monthly round-up of interesting Washington state outdoor recreation news including coronavirus resources; May hotlist; outdoor business news; Governor news; hunting and fishing news; trails; grants and more.

You know this paragraph by heart, “The possibility of a worldwide influenza pandemic in the near future is of growing concern for many countries around the globe. The World Bank estimates that a global influenza pandemic would cost the world economy $800 billion and kill tens-of-millions of people. Researchers at the CDC calculate that deaths in the United States could reach 207,000 and the initial cost to the economy could approach $166 billion, or roughly 1.5 percent of the GDP.” Yes, Peter, old news. As my twelve-year old would say, “Tell me something I don’t know.” By now, everyone knows about the devastation of COVID-19. What if I told you that above wording is from the 2007 report “Economic Effects of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic: Implications for a Modern-Day Pandemic” (LINK) and to pull it up would involved a straightforward “1918 flu economic impact” search?

Are you looking forward to May 5?  We are too.  We are hoping you will share this message with others who may be interested in news of opening of fishing, hunting and recreational lands. Governor Jay Inslee, Kelly Susewind, director of the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, Don Hoch, director of the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission, and Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz recently provided a COVID-19 update, including announcing plans to partially reopen some fishing, hunting, and outdoor recreation opportunities in Washington starting Tuesday, May 5.

Gov. Jay Inslee will address media Monday via streaming video and telephone to provide an update on the state's COVID-19 response. The governor will be joined by Hilary Franz, commissioner of public lands, Kelly Susewind, director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Don Hoch, director of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Monday, April 27 2:30 PM - Press conference on COVID-19. The press conference will be livestreamed by TVW.  PROCLAMATION: ADJUSTING STAY HOME -STAY HEALTHY

Conference is in regards to:

• Recreational hunting, fishing, and boating
• Outdoor exercise, including hiking, running, walking and biking
• Golfing
• Day use activities on public parks and public lands

Outdoor recreation is increasingly viewed as a viable industry for jobs and economic growth. According to a Bureau of Economic Analysis study released in September 2019, the U.S. outdoor recreation economy accounted for 2.2 percent ($427.2 billion) of current-dollar gross domestic product in 2017. Inflation-adjusted GDP for the outdoor recreation economy grew by 3.9 percent in that year, faster than the 2.4 percent growth of the overall U.S. economy. Many citizens, business owners and state leaders are creating working groups, nonprofits and state departments to champion this emerging industry, including 14 states with established, formal offices and two with governor-charged task forces. Over the following pages, representatives from three states discuss why and how they’re supporting this fast-growing economy.