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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!

Statewide Tourism Marketing Program Ready for Legislators

The Suburban Times

Washington would no longer be the only state in the nation without a statewide tourism marketing program under legislation introduced in both the state House and Senate this week.  The legislation would create an industry-led Tourism Marketing Authority and provide performance-based industry funding mechanisms without additional taxes.  Both HB1123 and SB 5251 (the same legislation but entered in both the Senate and House) have bipartisan support from legislators representing urban and rural districts throughout the state.
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The Outdoor Industry Is About to Become a Serious Political Force The Outdoor Industry Is About to Become a Serious Political Force

The Outdoor Industry Is About to Become a Serious Political Force

Outside

Outdoor recreation is an economic colossus: its reach is massive, its wealth enormous, and its influence continues to grow as more boots hit the ground. You can see it in Joshua Tree’s crowded campgrounds or in Mount Tam’s trailhead parking lots; in the Appalachian Trail’s thru-hiking numbers or in REI’s record sales. Americans are heading outdoors in huge numbers and paying handsomely for the privilege. But how much, precisely? For years the industry’s contribution to the nation’s economy was as much guesswork as fact.
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Support for $2 Million Budget Request for No Child Left Inside Grant Program

Islandwood letter to Governor Inslee

Thank you for your strong support of the No Child Left Inside grant program, which is helping young people from 11 districts (2,5,7,10,12,13,14,20,35,39,42) across the state participate in outdoor education and recreation programs this year.  We appreciate all of your efforts to help young people connect with the natural world. (View entire letter)
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Making the Case for the Value of Getting People Outdoors Making the Case for the Value of Getting People Outdoors

Making the Case for the Value of Getting People Outdoors

November 22, 2016

On November 22, a group of outdoor recreation advocates got the chance to meet with Governor Jay Inslee to reinforce important messages about the importance of policies and investment focused on the great outdoors.  Here’s a photo of the group, which included Big Tent President Marc Berejka and the Governor’s outdoor recreation policy adviser Jon Snyder (far left and second from far left), as well as Big Tent Board Member Katherine Hollis of the Mountaineers (fourth from left).”

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Sales of Discover Pass Increasing, Funding Still Short

Heraldnet, Everett WA

OLYMPIA — Discover Pass sales are on the rise as residents and tourists grow accustomed to paying a fee to visit state parks and recreation lands. But it is unlikely the program will ever generate enough money to cover the full cost of operating Washington’s public parks system as lawmakers envisioned when they created the user fee program in 2011.
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Colorado's Outdoor Recreation Industry Tries Innovation, Education To Spur Job Creation Colorado's Outdoor Recreation Industry Tries Innovation, Education To Spur Job Creation

Colorado's Outdoor Recreation Industry Tries Innovation, Education To Spur Job Creation

Colorado Matters

When you think of job creators in Colorado the agriculture and tech sectors might come to mind. However, the state's outdoor recreation industry supports 125,000 workers earning $4.2 billion annually. Its economic impact is over $13 billion. This election, both Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump have talked extensively about U.S. job security and job creation.  Dan English, CEO and founder of Voormi, a Colorado-based outdoor clothing company, says his company creates jobs in small towns across Colorado. 
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Washington State's Outdoor Recreation Economy Generates

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