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

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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. [ LEARN MORE ]

 

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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!

Washington State Parks - Legislative Update

By Daniel Farber, Policy and Governmental Affairs Director

The legislative session is of course off and running and a number of State Parks-related bills are already being considered.  See the links below for a summary of the most significant bills and the basic analysis of each bill by State Parks staff.  You can read any of the bills by going to http://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/ and typing in the bill number in the block provided.  If you have any questions or comments on the bills, feel free to contact me at any time and I’ll be happy to provide you whatever information I can and hear any thoughts you have about each bill.

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State Parks - Making Lemonade out of Budget Lemons‏

Governor Inslee released his proposed budget for the 2015-17 biennium.  After all the hoo-rah over the Governor’s Outdoor Recreation Task Force, after the Governor’s appeal to his Task Force for a plan for sufficient and sustainable funding for our state parks, I can only state that Governor Inslee’s proposed budget for State Parks is a major disappointment.
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Governor's 2015-2017 Budget Proposal for State Parks

(A message from Director Hoch to State Parks staff)  The Governor rolled out his 2015-17 state Budget, with the theme, “Reinvesting in Washington.”  To balance his state Operating budget, he included $400 million in cuts and savings and additional proposed funding from new revenue sources.

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Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on Parks and Outdoor Recreation

Gov. Jay Inslee established the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Parks and Outdoor Recreation through Executive Order 14-01 to develop an action plan and recommendations to manage, transform, better leverage, or develop Washington’s outdoor recreation assets and state programs to increase outdoor recreation activities as well as promote the jobs and business associated with outdoor recreation.
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State Parks - Post Election, Pre-Budget Release Update

The mid-term elections are over, although a bit of ballot counting remains.  The State Senate will remain much as is, with 25 Republicans and one maverick Democrat, and the State House will narrow to 51 Democrats and 47 Republicans.  Each majority has only one vote to spare.

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Washington State's Outdoor Recreation Economy Generates

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