ESSB 5843 Has Passed Out of the Senate Good Legislative News - Outdoor Recreation Wednesday, March 11, 2015 We wanted to make sure you all knew that ESSB 5843, Sen. Ranker and Sen. Parlette's bill to create an outdoor recreation lead in the Governor's office and fund the No Child Left Inside program, passed out of the Senate with a vote of 46-3. Woohoo! The bill now moves to the House. On the Floor, two amendments were added to the bill - one requiring that the outdoor recreation lead in the Governor's office be subject to Senate confirmation, and another further defining the roll of this sector lead. We'll make sure to let you know how the process goes as the bill advances through the House. Read more
Visit State Parks for a "Free Day" March 19 Visit State Parks for a "Free Day" March 19 Washington State Parks Monday, March 9, 2015 Washington State Parks turns 102 years old on Thursday, March 19, and visitors are invited to help celebrate by getting out to enjoy a state park for free that day. With the 2015 spring and summer seasons just around the corner, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission reminds the public that there are recreation opportunities available in more than 100 parks, trails and recreation sites all over the state. March 19 is the third of 12 State Parks “free days” in 2015, when visitors are not required to display the Discover Pass to visit a park. Read more
Rally Day Follow Up Rally Day Follow Up Big Tent Outdoor Recreation Coalition Thursday, February 26, 2015 We wanted to thank all of you who helped make the Big Tent Rally Day a success. From the 22 organizations that had booths, to the Friends of State Parks groups that helped staff the hospitality room, and to those who helped craft the press release and organize the noon-hour, thank you all for your help and participation. We had a lot of great feedback. Read more
State Senators, Representatives Highlight the Importance of Outdoor Recreation Economy Big Tent Outdoor Recreation Coalition Wednesday, February 18, 2015 Olympia, WA - The Big Tent Outdoor Recreation Coalition, a 501 (c)(6) umbrella organization made up of several dozen individual organizations and state natural resource agencies, will be in the State Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 24, for its third Annual Rally Day to highlight the importance of outdoor recreation to our state. The Rally Day will include a press event featuring legislative leaders speaking about the economic impact of outdoor recreation and its role in the state budget process. Read more
Guest: Our state parks are heavily used but underfunded Seattle Times - Published January 27, 2015 Friday, February 13, 2015 State parks get 33 million visitors a year, yet funding cuts have them operating with “bailing wire and duct tape,” write guest columnists John R. Floberg, Mark O. Brown and Jim van Loben Sels. STATE parks need everyone’s support this legislative session. Years of underfunding and layoffs have left the state with one of the most awesome park systems in the country that is held together, as Gov. Jay Inslee says, “by bailing wire and duct tape.” The equivalent of 200 positions out of 595 at state parks were lost in the recession, and the condition and hours of operation for park facilities have continued to decline. Read more