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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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(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 

Bipartisan Conservation Fund Succumbs to Needless Partisanship

The Seattle Times

U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop of Utah, the Republican chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, earned the moniker of obstructionist-in-chief when he single-handedly killed reauthorization on Oct. 1 of the bipartisan, half-century old Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). In the nanosecond it took to block a bill with 195 bipartisan co-sponsors, America’s signature conservation and outdoor-recreation program fell away.

U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop wants to do more damage to the expired Land and Water Conservation Fund. His bill needs to be stopped, and the bipartisan LWCF revived. 

Tired, Irritable, Stressed Out? - *Try Nature

Award Winning Comedy Series Promoting the Outdoors

Nature Rx is a grassroots movement dedicated to entertaining and informing people about the healing and humorous aspects of nature. This video published on Aug 4, 2015:  Set in the world of a spoofed prescription drug commercial, Nature Rx offers a hearty dose of laughs and the outdoors - two timeless prescriptions for whatever ails you. Side effects may include confidence, authenticity, remembering you have a body, and being in a good mood for no apparent reason.

Outdoor Economics Fact Sheet

Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation in Washington State

Washington’s outdoor recreation is a driving force for the state’s economy, creating jobs and building rural businesses. It also is a way of life in the Pacific Northwest. Washingtonians Love to Be Outside. Washingtonians participate in outdoor recreation more than 445 million days each year, or on average, we spend 56 days a year recreating outdoors. Of all the places there are to go, local parks are the most visited. This report is the first comprehensive analysis of the recreation economy in Washington. It offers economic impact data by geography, by county, and by activity.

Officials Tout Potential of Sky to Sound Water Trail Project

Herald Net

EVERETT — There's an effort under way to make it easier to use an 84-mile stretch of the scenic Skykomish River — one of the state's most popular spots for water recreation. The Sky to Sound water trail map will show outdoor enthusiasts 33 river access points from Possession Sound to the Wild Sky Wilderness, which is part of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest north of U.S. 2. The intent is to increase outdoor use of the Skykomish and bring money into rural communities along it by providing information that makes for easier navigation. “This is a huge economic engine for us,” said Annique Bennett, tourism coordinator for Snohomish County's Office of Economic Development.

REI Shocks Retail World By Closing For Black Friday, Paying 12,000 Employees to 'Opt Outside'

Forbes

REI, the Seattle-based outdoor recreation and sporting goods giant, announced today that it is going to close for Black Friday (you read that right) and pay its 12,000 employees to go out and play.  REI is also encouraging other companies to join them in what they describe as a stand against the commercial madness that’s characterized the day after Thanksgiving for at least a decade and a half.

Next Big Tent Coalition Meeting

Thursday November 12, 2015

The next meeting of the Big Tent Outdoor Recreation Coalition is scheduled for Thursday November 12, 2015, from 10am - 12noon at the Nature Conservancy in Seattle. Agenda highlights include formation of our advocacy committee, membership related policies and 2016 budget. For more information contact info@bigtentcoalition.info.

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Washington State's Outdoor Recreation Economy Generates

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