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

The power of the Big Tent  lies not with any individual or with any shiny advertising or marketing campaigns, but with the combined weight of dozens of organizations and agencies who believe in the collective value of outdoor recreation.

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Washington State's Outdoor Recreation Economy Generates

View the Outdoor Industry Association Report for more

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#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.

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We Represent Outdoor Recreation

The power of the Big Tent lies not with any individual or with any shiny advertising or marketing campaigns, but with the combined weight of dozens of organizations and agencies who believe in the collective value of outdoor recreation.

We are an organic group, with no Executive Director.  We come together periodically, meet on an as-needed basis, and gather each year in Olympia to show policy-makers and opinion leaders that outdoor recreation is a critical sector in Washington, one that brings jobs, revenue, active and healthy living, and tourism to a state blessed with mind-numbing natural beauty.  
 
On this website you will find a statement about who we are and how we came to be; a listing of our current members; contacts; information about how you can join us; meeting announcements; links to press releases and topical articles; and of course some background pictures of the outdoors.
 
We hope you find this site helpful, and that you won’t hesitate to tell us how we can add to it and improve.  It belongs to all of us who marvel at the stunning natural resources which make Washington a special place in which to live, work, and play.  Thanks for stopping by!

Officials Tout Potential of Sky to Sound Water Trail Project Officials Tout Potential of Sky to Sound Water Trail Project

Officials Tout Potential of Sky to Sound Water Trail Project

Herald Net

EVERETT — There's an effort under way to make it easier to use an 84-mile stretch of the scenic Skykomish River — one of the state's most popular spots for water recreation. The Sky to Sound water trail map will show outdoor enthusiasts 33 river access points from Possession Sound to the Wild Sky Wilderness, which is part of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest north of U.S. 2. The intent is to increase outdoor use of the Skykomish and bring money into rural communities along it by providing information that makes for easier navigation. “This is a huge economic engine for us,” said Annique Bennett, tourism coordinator for Snohomish County's Office of Economic Development.
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REI Shocks Retail World By Closing For Black Friday, Paying 12,000 Employees to 'Opt Outside' REI Shocks Retail World By Closing For Black Friday, Paying 12,000 Employees to 'Opt Outside'

REI Shocks Retail World By Closing For Black Friday, Paying 12,000 Employees to 'Opt Outside'

Forbes

REI, the Seattle-based outdoor recreation and sporting goods giant, announced today that it is going to close for Black Friday (you read that right) and pay its 12,000 employees to go out and play.  REI is also encouraging other companies to join them in what they describe as a stand against the commercial madness that’s characterized the day after Thanksgiving for at least a decade and a half.

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Next Big Tent Coalition Meeting Next Big Tent Coalition Meeting

Next Big Tent Coalition Meeting

Thursday November 12, 2015

The next meeting of the Big Tent Outdoor Recreation Coalition is scheduled for Thursday November 12, 2015, from 10am - 12noon at the Nature Conservancy in Seattle. Agenda highlights include formation of our advocacy committee, membership related policies and 2016 budget. For more information contact info@bigtentcoalition.info.

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Washington State Divers Get Weighed and Measured

The Scuba Alliance

All Washington State divers and dive shop owners are being offered an opportunity to participate in an economic impact study to determine how much scuba diving contributes to the economy in Washington State. Sponsored by the SeaDoc Society, Washington Scuba Alliance (WSA) and the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF), will help determine the financial impact of diving and inform policy makers in the state when possibly deciding future expenditures. According to SeaDoc executive director Joe Gaydos, the purpose of the survey is to gather data to better understand the model inside the scuba diving industry in Washington State and how it fits into the overall outdoor market. “Here is a major industry in Washington State and British Columbia we do not have any data on. We were interested in seeing how diving compares with fishing, for example,” says Gaydos.

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Policy Advisor - Outdoor Recreation & Economic Development Policy Advisor - Outdoor Recreation & Economic Development

Policy Advisor - Outdoor Recreation & Economic Development

Job Announcement: Office of the Governor

This position will focus on economic development issues relating to outdoor recreation which includes performing policy planning, analysis, development, and implementation consistent with the Governor’s priorities. The success of this position will be based on measurable results relating to economic development strategies for increasing the number of new jobs and economic activity related to outdoor recreation. A secondary measure will be increased participation by citizens and visitors in outdoor recreation as well as increases in outdoor recreation opportunities. This position is responsible for working with outdoor recreation related businesses, the recreation industry, state and federal agencies, stakeholders, tribes, legislators and constituents to better understand the political landscape and provide informed counsel to the Governor.  Closes October 31, 2015

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