Innovation in the Windy City Innovation in the Windy City NRPA - Samantha Bartram Thursday, September 3, 2015 In today’s political and economic climate, creative tactics for retaining funding and growing revenue are essential items in the park and recreation professional’s toolbox. Comprehensively measuring and leveraging the economic impact of our facilities and programming goes beyond tallying the amount of taxes and fees collected in a given year — we must also consider how parks and recreation impacts the surrounding economy. Read more
A Rising Tide for Outdoor Recreation A Rising Tide for Outdoor Recreation By Avery Stonich Tuesday, September 1, 2015 When word got out that Luis Benitez, the new director of Colorado’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, was coming to Angler’s Covey in Colorado Springs, people came out of the woodwork. More than 40 outdoor industry representatives packed the fly-fishing shop on August 12 to discuss issues facing outdoor recreation businesses in Colorado. The atmosphere in the room was electric—and hopeful. “Because of him coming here, there was a lot of energy,” says David Leinweber, owner of Angler’s Covey, which has been operating in Colorado Springs since 1996. “He’s helping rally the troops.” Read more
Administration Launches Every Kid in a Park Pass Administration Launches Every Kid in a Park Pass Fourth Graders Can Now Obtain Pass that Grants Free Access to Federal Lands and Waters Nationwide for them and their Family Tuesday, September 1, 2015 WASHINGTON – As part of President Obama’s commitment to protect our nation’s unique outdoor spaces and ensure that every American has the opportunity to visit and enjoy them, the Obama Administration today formally launched the new Every Kid in a Park program. Read more
The Clock is Ticking for LWCF The Clock is Ticking for LWCF Advocacy Resources for You Saturday, August 29, 2015 The federal Land and Water Conservation Fund is a critical source of funding for recreation-focused projects across the country, which will expire next month without congressional action. It is very important that Big Tent members are active as part of this reauthorization push—please contact Vlad Gutman, Senior Policy Director, WWRC, if you would be willing to join the effort through occasional activities like letters to the editor, tweeting, outreach to congressional offices. Read more
Western Wildfires: What, Where, Why and What Else Western Wildfires: What, Where, Why and What Else By Deborah Williams Friday, August 21, 2015 As the Washington wildfires rage on, we’ve rounded up some incredible images and articles that help explain the magnitude of the current situation there and across the country, how we’ve gotten to this point, and what can be done to prevent such devastation from becoming a recurring theme each summer across the drought-ridden West. Read more