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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!

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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Outdoor Recreation Summit Outdoor Recreation Summit

Outdoor Recreation Summit

Bellingham, WA

We are inviting you to participate in the 2016 Recreation Northwest EXPO as a member of the Recreation Community. Friday, February 26th. With special events on Thursday and Saturday as well.  We will be hosting outdoor recreation businesses, organizations and events from the region to join us and share what you have to offer. We are adding the Outdoor Recreation Summit to the morning Friday 9:00 am – 1:30 pm. Our SUMMIT keynote speaker is Tim Niemier, founder of Ocean Kayak.
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Clipper Round the World Clipper Round the World

Clipper Round the World

Visit Seattle

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, which benefits UNICEF, is the world’s longest ocean adventure and regarded as one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet. Spanning 40,000 nautical miles, the race takes almost a year to complete and consists of 12 teams competing against each other on the world’s largest matched fleet of ocean racing yachts. Seattle will be one of 14 host ports throughout the race, welcoming the crews of all competing yachts in April 2016 at the end of the Mighty Pacific Leg 6 from Qingdao, China.



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The Economic Impact of Local Parks The Economic Impact of Local Parks

The Economic Impact of Local Parks

National Parks and Recreation Association

ASHBURN, VA – Nov. 19, 2015 – The nation’s first economic impact report identifying and quantifying the economic contribution of the thousands of local and regional public parks throughout the country is now available through the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and the findings are significant. The analysis shows that the nation’s local and regional parks generate nearly $140 billion in economic activity per year and support nearly 1 million jobs.

 

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Positive Outlook... for Outdoor Recreation in 2016 Positive Outlook... for Outdoor Recreation in 2016

Positive Outlook... for Outdoor Recreation in 2016

American Recreation Coalition

Outdoor recreation leaders report good sales and activities for 2015 and expectations of still stronger activity in 2016, according to a new report from the American Recreation Coalition, Outdoor Recreation Outlook 2016. Americans spend more than $650 billion annually on equipment ranging from skis and tents to RVs and boats and on services ranging from fishing licenses to zip lines, supporting millions of jobs in manufacturing, sales and service. And renewed interest in outreach and promotion by federal land and water management agencies – based around the National Park Service’s Centennial Celebration – is creating new opportunities for Americans everywhere to enjoy their great outdoors. Full Press Release  / View Outdoor Recreation Outlook Report

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Several National, State Parks Waive Fees for Visitors as Black Friday Alternatives Several National, State Parks Waive Fees for Visitors as Black Friday Alternatives

Several National, State Parks Waive Fees for Visitors as Black Friday Alternatives

Mashable

Retailer REI announced in October it would close its stores on Black Friday — falling this year on Nov. 27 — and instead encourage people to #optoutside. Nearly 1 million people have since joined in on the idea, sharing photos and ideas of what they're going to do instead of spending hours in store lines. To make opting out more attractive, several parks are waiving entry fees for the day, including redwood state parks and two national parks in Washington state.
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(Oregon) Governor Completes Successful Trade Mission to Asia (Oregon) Governor Completes Successful Trade Mission to Asia

(Oregon) Governor Completes Successful Trade Mission to Asia

Travel Oregon

Last month, Governor Kate Brown and a delegation of 50 Oregon business leaders traveled to Tokyo, Japan and Beijing, China. As part of the delegation, Travel Oregon CEO Todd Davidson worked with Governor Brown to raise awareness with media of Oregon as a key vacation market for both Japanese and Chinese visitors. Japan has been Oregon's No. 1 overseas market for the last decade, just recently being surpassed by China. Continued growth is projected from both markets with Chinese visitors spending an average of $6,000 per person on a trip to Oregon. In coordination with the visit to Tokyo, Travel Oregon unveiled an updated version of its Japanese in-language website: traveloregon.jp 
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Washington State's Outdoor Recreation Economy Generates

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