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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.

#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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Outdoor Recreation A Large And Growing Percentage Of U.S. Economy

SBGMedia

Outdoor recreation accounts for 2.2 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP), according to the final report by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) on the outputs from outdoor recreation. The final report also found that outdoor recreation contributes over $734 billion to total U.S. gross output, which is the total value of domestic goods and service produced by an industry.

 

California governor vetoes bill to create Office of Sustainable Outdoor Recreation

SNEWS

California Governor Jerry Brown vetoed a bill yesterday that would have created the Office of Sustainable Outdoor Recreation, despite overwhelming bipartisan support. His signing of AB 1918 would have made California the 12th state with an official office or task force to support outdoor recreation, which accounts for $92 billion in consumer spending and 691,000 jobs throughout the state—the country's largest rec economy.

Evaluating Economic Implications of Recreation in National Forests

USDA

The attached publication, Science Findings, is from the USFS Pacific Northwest Research Station a part of the Pacific Northwest Region (Region 6).  This edition is of interest to those of us involved in outdoor recreation as it summarizes a study done to evaluating the economic implications of outdoor recreation on National Forest Lands, nationally as well as in Washington and Oregon. If you haven’t already read this edition it is worth your time to read.

California creates Office of Sustainable Outdoor Recreation

SNEWS

With an outdoor recreation economy of $92 billion, the state joins seven others with offices of outdoor recreation. Beaches, mountains, desert, plains, forests—California has it all and is well-known as a western playground for all types of adventure.

Connelly: Endangered species -- 'green' Republican -- spotted at ocean

Seattle PI

The Republican conservationist, a species plentiful a century ago in the era of Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot, has fallen in danger of extinction. Worthy of note, then, is a confirmed recent sighting on ocean beaches of Olympic National Park. As the Trump Administration prepared to roll out its "dirty power plan," and give new life to old polluting coal plants, 2016 Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Bryant was leading a three-day walk to protect park beaches.

State Tourism Marketing Authority Board of Directors Meeting Slated for Aug 30 at SeaTac Airport Conference Center

Department of Commerce

A new Washington State Tourism Marketing Authority (TMA) was established by the legislature (ESSB 5251) to contract for statewide marketing services that promote tourism on behalf of the citizens of the state, and for managing the authority’s financial resources. The first TMA Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Conference Center at SeaTac International Airport, Beijing Room.  The meeting is open to the public. Business on the inaugural agenda includes: install the Board of Directors, elect officers, form appropriate committees, establish a private local account for authority finances, and discuss plans for contracting for marketing services. Big Tent Vice President, Rob Sendak, is the Outdoor Recreation appointee to the Authority.

States: Want an Outdoor Rec Economy? Pay Up

Outside

Since Utah established the country’s first state office of outdoor recreation five years ago, the idea has spread rapidly. Colorado and Washington opened offices in 2015; in 2016, three more states started offices or initiatives dedicated to promoting outdoor recreation. Last year, the number nearly doubled, bringing the total to 11. This rush of activity indicates that state governments have come around to the idea that outdoor recreation is a significant driver of economic activity that also offers other important environmental and social benefits. Until relatively recently, most states gauged the value of federal public lands within their borders purely in terms of their viability for extractive industries like mining, logging, and oil drilling. But in recent years, thanks to a growing awareness of the consumer spending and state tax revenue associated with outdoor recreation, that attitude has begun to evolve. Now these new offices are looking to advance changes in policies to further support the sector.

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Washington State's Outdoor Recreation Economy Generates

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