Statewide Tourism Marketing Program Ready for Legislators The Suburban Times Sunday, January 22, 2017 Washington would no longer be the only state in the nation without a statewide tourism marketing program under legislation introduced in both the state House and Senate this week. The legislation would create an industry-led Tourism Marketing Authority and provide performance-based industry funding mechanisms without additional taxes. Both HB1123 and SB 5251 (the same legislation but entered in both the Senate and House) have bipartisan support from legislators representing urban and rural districts throughout the state. Read more
Opinion: National monuments drive economic growth Opinion: National monuments drive economic growth The Mercury News Saturday, December 31, 2016 In addition to fueling the growth of fast-growing entrepreneurial companies, national monuments give a shot in the arm to local economies. Read more
The Outdoor Industry Is About to Become a Serious Political Force The Outdoor Industry Is About to Become a Serious Political Force Outside Wednesday, December 21, 2016 Outdoor recreation is an economic colossus: its reach is massive, its wealth enormous, and its influence continues to grow as more boots hit the ground. You can see it in Joshua Tree’s crowded campgrounds or in Mount Tam’s trailhead parking lots; in the Appalachian Trail’s thru-hiking numbers or in REI’s record sales. Americans are heading outdoors in huge numbers and paying handsomely for the privilege. But how much, precisely? For years the industry’s contribution to the nation’s economy was as much guesswork as fact. Read more
Support for $2 Million Budget Request for No Child Left Inside Grant Program Islandwood letter to Governor Inslee Sunday, December 4, 2016 Thank you for your strong support of the No Child Left Inside grant program, which is helping young people from 11 districts (2,5,7,10,12,13,14,20,35,39,42) across the state participate in outdoor education and recreation programs this year. We appreciate all of your efforts to help young people connect with the natural world. (View entire letter) Read more
Making the Case for the Value of Getting People Outdoors Making the Case for the Value of Getting People Outdoors November 22, 2016 Wednesday, November 23, 2016 On November 22, a group of outdoor recreation advocates got the chance to meet with Governor Jay Inslee to reinforce important messages about the importance of policies and investment focused on the great outdoors. Here’s a photo of the group, which included Big Tent President Marc Berejka and the Governor’s outdoor recreation policy adviser Jon Snyder (far left and second from far left), as well as Big Tent Board Member Katherine Hollis of the Mountaineers (fourth from left).” Read more