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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!

Proposed Changes to Road-Based Commerical Tour Requirements and Fees

US Small Business Administration

On March 12, 2018 the Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) filed a comment letter urging NPS to consider the impacts to small businesses in preparing its final fee rates and to consider cost-saving alternatives for small business. The proposed fee increase will have a detrimental effect on small business.
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RCO 2018 Legislative Report RCO 2018 Legislative Report

RCO 2018 Legislative Report

Recreation & Conservation Office

All in all, it was a successful session for RCO, especially with the ALEA funding increase. Very soon we will turn our attention to planning for 2019 with budget requests and maybe a bill or two. Thanks to you all who helped with legislative information requests, bill analysis, Outdoor Recreation Caucus meetings, and legislative meetings. I appreciate it so much and couldn’t do it without you! Here is a summary of budgets and bills related to RCO:
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NRA boycott: REI, Mountain Equipment Co-Op, Stop Selling Major Outdoor Brand with NRA Ties

The Seattle PI

CamelBak water bottles, Bell bicycle helmets, Giro ski goggles - what these products have in common is that they're owned by Vista Outdoor, which includes gun and ammo makers among its brands as well as a strong National Rifle Association connection. And that's part of the reason REI, a nationwide outdoor retailer and consumer co-op, announced Thursday evening that it would, for the time being, no longer be ordering CamelBak, Bell, Giro or any other of the 50 Vista Outdoor brands to sell in its stores.
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Analysis of outdoor recreation industry finds its contribution to GDP larger than that of oil, gas extraction

The Spokesman- Review

A federal government analysis of the outdoor recreation’s economic impact reaffirms what many conservation groups have said for decades. Outdoor recreation is a big business. For the first time ever the U.S. Department of Commerce looked specifically at the economic impact of outdoor recreation. The analysis was published last week.
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Washington Outdoor Recreation Summit

Friday, February 23, 2018 at Bellingham Technical College

Building on momentum at the state and national level we are bringing Recreation Industry Professionals – retailers, manufacturers, tourism promoters, land managers and stewardship organizations – together to explore and share ways to grow and promote Washington State’s flourishing recreation economy.
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REI to support second-ever "Confluence Summit" among outdoor recreation leaders in Asheville, N.C., this July REI to support second-ever "Confluence Summit" among outdoor recreation leaders in Asheville, N.C., this July

REI to support second-ever "Confluence Summit" among outdoor recreation leaders in Asheville, N.C., this July

PRNewswire

KENT, Wash., Feb. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Earlier today, the State of North Carolina announced its intention to host the second-ever "Confluence Summit" for state-level outdoor recreation leaders in Asheville this July. There are currently eight states – Colorado, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wyoming – with an office, director or task force dedicated to the well-being of the outdoor recreation industry and to greater public access to outdoor experiences.
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Washington State's Outdoor Recreation Economy Generates

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