WE BELIEVE
OUTDOOR RECREATION
Matters.
WELCOME TO THE BIG TENT
The Umbrella Organization for the voice of Outdoor Recreation in Washington State.

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

What we do:  The Big Tent advocates for sustainable state funding for recreation and conservation lands as well as sustainable and equitable development and human interaction with those lands.

Vision:  The Big Tent envisions a Washington where elected leaders, businesses, nonprofits, and residents are working together to create a more inclusive and equitable outdoor experience for all. We want to find ways to use outdoor recreation to fuel economic activity and sustain healthy outcomes in our communities.

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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 ]

 

SPONSORS

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!

Your State Parks Your State Parks

Your State Parks

Washington State Park Foundation

Because of your support, the Washington State Parks Foundation is able to share your love for parks in countless ways. See our two minute video that shows some of the ways and how to get involved, from Executive Director John Floberg.

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Governor, Former Sounders Keeper, Mountaineering Legend, Lawmakers Highlight “Big Tent” Rally Day to Showcase Economic Power of Outdoor Recreation Governor, Former Sounders Keeper, Mountaineering Legend, Lawmakers Highlight “Big Tent” Rally Day to Showcase Economic Power of Outdoor Recreation

Governor, Former Sounders Keeper, Mountaineering Legend, Lawmakers Highlight “Big Tent” Rally Day to Showcase Economic Power of Outdoor Recreation

Big Tent Rally Day - Wednesday, February 3, 10am - 2pm

OLYMPIA – Governor Jay Inslee, mountaineering legend Jim Whittaker, former Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann, and State Senators Andy Hill (R-Redmond) and Kevin Ranker (D-Orcas Island) along with State Representative Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island) will headline a rally of outdoor recreation businesses, vendors, non-profit groups, and local and state agencies on Wednesday, Feb. 3.  The rally will spotlight Washington’s outdoor recreation sector that generates $22 billion  in revenue and nearly 200,000 direct jobs throughout urban and rural Washington.

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Are You In? R.S.V.P. Today for Rally Day! Are You In? R.S.V.P. Today for Rally Day!

Are You In? R.S.V.P. Today for Rally Day!

Big Tent Outdoor Recreation Coalition Rally Day - February 3, 2016

Participate in raising the profile of the critical economic importance of the outdoor recreation economy in Washington State.  RSVP to enter the Big Tent where Governor Inslee, Jon Snyder and outdoor recreation industry leaders, legislators, outdoor enthusiasts and specialty retailers will gather just steps from the Legislature. Learn how to easy it is to participate!

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Jon Snyder Selected as First Outdoor Recreation Economic Policy Advisor to the Governor Jon Snyder Selected as First Outdoor Recreation Economic Policy Advisor to the Governor

Jon Snyder Selected as First Outdoor Recreation Economic Policy Advisor to the Governor

Washington's First Outdoor Recreation Economic Policy Advisor

Jon Snyder joined Governor Inslee's policy office on January 1, 2016 as the first ever person to hold this position in Washington State. He brings passion for the outdoors and almost a decade of experience as the owner and publisher of Out There Monthly magazine, an award-winning guide to outdoor recreation in the Inland Northwest. He's been an elected official in Spokane, and understands setting priorities and working together to achieve them. Jon's lived and worked on both sides of the state and will bring valuable perspective to the office.
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Doug Walker, Killed in Apparent Avalanche, Used Tech Wealth to Spread Love for the Outdoors Doug Walker, Killed in Apparent Avalanche, Used Tech Wealth to Spread Love for the Outdoors

Doug Walker, Killed in Apparent Avalanche, Used Tech Wealth to Spread Love for the Outdoors

The Seattle Times

In honor of Doug Walker, an avid outdoorsman who co-chaired the Governor’s Task Force on Outdoor Recreation in 2014 – a Task Force the Big Tent played a key role in establishing.”  The beloved software entrepreneur, philanthropist and outdoorsman was found dead Friday morning on Granite Mountain after an all-night search.
 

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Congress Restores Money for Recreational Real Estate with Land and Water Conservation Fund allocation Congress Restores Money for Recreational Real Estate with Land and Water Conservation Fund allocation

Congress Restores Money for Recreational Real Estate with Land and Water Conservation Fund allocation

Peninsula Daily News

The federal Land and Water Conservation Fund was reauthorized in legislation passed Friday and signed into law by President Barack Obama. The funding will extend through September 2018, including a one-year increase of nearly 50%.  Seattle PI

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The Economic Impact of Local Parks - By State The Economic Impact of Local Parks - By State

The Economic Impact of Local Parks - By State

National Recreation and Park Association

The Nation’s Local and Regional Parks Create Nearly $140 Billion in Economic Activity per Year and Support almost 1 Million Jobs in the United States. The positive benefits of local and regional park agency spending ripple through the economies of all 50 states and in the District of Columbia. On this page, learn how operational and capital spending at the local and regional parks in your state contributes to economic activity and employment.
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Washington State's Outdoor Recreation Economy Generates

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