WE BELIEVE
OUTDOOR RECREATION
Matters.
WELCOME TO THE BIG TENT
The Umbrella Organization for the voice of Outdoor Recreation in Washington State.

The mission  of the Big Tent  is to promote sustainable, diverse, equitable, and inclusive outdoor experiences in Washington state through advocacy and education.

What we do:  The Big Tent advocates for sustainable state funding for recreation and conservation lands as well as sustainable and equitable development and human interaction with those lands.

Vision:  The Big Tent envisions a Washington where elected leaders, businesses, nonprofits, and residents are working together to create a more inclusive and equitable outdoor experience for all. We want to find ways to use outdoor recreation to fuel economic activity and sustain healthy outcomes in our communities.

#RecreateResponsibly to Protect Yourself, Others, and the Outdoors

During this public health crisis, spending time in outdoor spaces has become even more important for many Americans. Yet these unusual circumstances mean that all of us, from seasoned outdoor enthusiasts to families heading out to their local park for the first time, could use a little guidance about how to stay safe. The Recreate Responsibly guidelines offer a starting point for getting outside to keep yourself healthy and to maintain access to our parks, trails, and beaches. [ LEARN MORE ]


 

SPONSORS

We Represent Outdoor Recreation

CONFLUENCE OF STATES AND SOCIETY OF OUTDOOR RECREATION PROFESSIONALS RELEASE FIRST-EVER SCORP COMPARISON REPORT

Statewide comprehensive outdoor recreation plans provide a blueprint for outdoor recreation management and development at the state level

NATIONWIDE – The Confluence of States and Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals released the first-ever Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) Comparison Report. This report compares SCORPs to each other, shares differences and/or similarities, and raises the visibility of each plan's impact on a community. SCORPs are critical for ensuring the availability and sustainability of outdoor recreation resources. This report is for members of the outdoor recreation community including SCORP leaders who want to learn what other states are doing.

Solar Punk Festival

SAVE THE DATE: The 2023 Burien Solar Punk Festival will be held on Saturday, Aug. 12, from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. at the New Start Community Garden. There are few opportunities in Burien where BIPOC (Black, Ingenuous , People of Color) people and businesses can sit down, connect, network, and celebrate the culture together. Join us for a full day of engagement, networking and an evening opportunity to camp under the stars, watch a culturally relevant movie and enjoy everything from locally crafted beer to AR Art wall or even drink harvested rainwater.”

Urge Congress to pass the Biking on Long-Distance Trails (BOLT) Act

The Biking on Long-Distance Trails (BOLT) Act will identify at least 10 existing long-distance bike trails and identify at least 10 areas where there is opportunity to develop or complete such trails. The bill will also allow the Department of Interior to publish and distribute maps, install signage, and distribute promotional materials.

You won't believe who's behind this popular social media account

Evening News

OLYMPIA, Wash. — These days, most companies rely on a good social media presence. And the team that runs social for Washington's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is setting the bar. DNR manages nearly 6 million acres of forests, waters, and habitat. And on its social media pages, learning about it is more interesting than ever. With funny, clever, and creative posts, the DNR Twitter account has more than 140,000 followers; and Instagram and TikTok are growing in popularity quickly. "It was 'treat hydration the way you treat dating, don't wait until you're thirsty!'  We were like, 'Should we do it, should we not do it?" explained Terlep, the senior social media manager for DNR. "I've never expected people to be this excited about their state agency, their state natural resources agency. We're talking about things like geologic hazards, forestry, and wildfire safety," Terlep explained. "The funny parts are great, but when people take those actionable items and apply it to their lives, so they learn something, that's the most rewarding part."

State of Washington Tourism Conference & Responsible Outdoor Travel Summit

State of Washington Tourism

October 24-26, 2023 | Yakima Convention & Event Center: The second annual State of Washington Tourism Conference will be held October 24-26 in the Yakima Valley at the recently expanded Yakima Convention & Event Center. The conference will include the Responsible Outdoor Travel Summit, a full-day event following the main conference schedule. The summit continues the success of last year’s event, which brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, from legislators and land managers to content creators.

Tell Congress We Need Better Trails

REI

REI is working with organizations across the country to tell Congress to support this critical program in upcoming spending bills—and we need your voice to get it done. Let’s fund the trails transformation we need. Two years ago, you helped us create this program by taking action through the REI Cooperative Action Network. Now it’s time to get the program fully funded. Tell Congress why safe, equitable and climate-friendly trails are important to you. Join us in Cooperative Action and urge Congress to fully fund safe, equitable, and climate-friendly transportation nationwide.

 

 

Watchable Wildlife Grant Program

2023 grant application period is now open. Submit your application online. WDFW will accept grant applications for projects that create, improve, increase, and/or promote opportunities for communities to view or experience wildlife. WDFW prioritizes initiatives that are brought forward by or are co-developed with underserved and marginalized communities to address stated community needs that are imbued with equity and justice values. Ideal proposals will benefit or address barriers for underrepresented communities and/or apply diversity, equity, and inclusivity in their projects.

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Washington State's Outdoor Recreation Economy Generates

View the 2020 Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation in Washington State for details