October 24-26, 2023 | Yakima Convention & Event Center: The second annual State of Washington Tourism Conference will be held October 24-26 in the Yakima Valley at the recently expanded Yakima Convention & Event Center. The conference will include the Responsible Outdoor Travel Summit, a full-day event following the main conference schedule. The summit continues the success of last year’s event, which brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, from legislators and land managers to content creators.

REI is working with organizations across the country to tell Congress to support this critical program in upcoming spending bills—and we need your voice to get it done. Let’s fund the trails transformation we need. Two years ago, you helped us create this program by taking action through the REI Cooperative Action Network. Now it’s time to get the program fully funded. Tell Congress why safe, equitable and climate-friendly trails are important to you. Join us in Cooperative Action and urge Congress to fully fund safe, equitable, and climate-friendly transportation nationwide.

2023 grant application period is now open. Submit your application online. WDFW will accept grant applications for projects that create, improve, increase, and/or promote opportunities for communities to view or experience wildlife. WDFW prioritizes initiatives that are brought forward by or are co-developed with underserved and marginalized communities to address stated community needs that are imbued with equity and justice values. Ideal proposals will benefit or address barriers for underrepresented communities and/or apply diversity, equity, and inclusivity in their projects.

Learn the basic signs you need to know in order to communicate with Deaf people while working, recreating or volunteering in the outdoor field. Learn ASL from Deaf Outdoor Experts. Want to set up a course for your group? Email courses@corpsthat.org for a discount link.

With the 2023 state legislative session underway, we’re advocating for several bills and funding proposals that would benefit public lands and recreation in Washington. Learn more about our current state policy priorities and how you can help secure important wins for the outdoors in Olympia this year

We are excited to share our new Emotional Safety in the Outdoors eLearning course. One of the unwritten core values at The Mountaineers is safety, and this new course highlights the connections between emotional safety and physically safe outcomes. It's designed to help leaders and instructors foster environments where all people feel belonging.

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) is the leading business coalition advancing a sustainable and growing outdoor recreation economy for the benefit of all Americans. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, outdoor recreation's annual economic impact is $862 billion nationall and accounts for 1.9% of U.S. GDP, and $12.3.billion for outdoor recreation in Washington State. Outdoor recreation accounts for 114,000 jobs in Washington, which is 3.2% of all employees in Washington State. Top industries include boating/fishing, RVing, snowactivities, motorcycling/ATVing, climbing, hiking, tent camping.

Big Tent weekly policy calls are open to all interested in staying informed about legislation impacting outdoor recreation in Washington State. Policy calls are hosted weekly on Fridays 8:45 - 9:00 a.m. via zoom throughout the 2023 legislative session. Click the read more for the zoom link -