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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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Call For Interest - Time Sensitive: by May 30, 2025

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Become a Big Tent Board Member

2 year renewable terms begin July 2025

[Apply Here] and visit our Board page to [Learn More]

 

#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!

13 Huge Wins for Outdoor Recreation 13 Huge Wins for Outdoor Recreation

13 Huge Wins for Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor Industry Association

“Three years ago, there was one office; two years ago, there were three offices; and now there are eight offices and a few operating commissions,” says Cailin O’Brien-Feeney, the Outdoor Industry Association’s state and local policy manager. “We’ll see a few more happen this year.” By serving as a leader for interest groups and growing local outdoor recreation economies, state offices of outdoor recreation are turning heads in the industry and beyond.
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RCO 2018 Legislative Report RCO 2018 Legislative Report

RCO 2018 Legislative Report

Recreation & Conservation Office

All in all, it was a successful session for RCO, especially with the ALEA funding increase. Very soon we will turn our attention to planning for 2019 with budget requests and maybe a bill or two. Thanks to you all who helped with legislative information requests, bill analysis, Outdoor Recreation Caucus meetings, and legislative meetings. I appreciate it so much and couldn’t do it without you! Here is a summary of budgets and bills related to RCO:
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Outdoor Recreation Caucus Meeting

January 11, 2018, 7 am, Senate Rules Room

The newly formed Outdoor Recreation Caucus that we had a major role in organizing will hold its first meeting in Olympia on Thursday January 11, 2018, and will meet on a weekly basis through the session. Please find the agenda here for the Outdoor Recreation Caucus meeting on January 11, 2018 at 7 am in the Senate Rules Room.
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Stakeholder Call on Outdoor Recreation in Higher Education

Senator Ranker

As Chair of the Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee, Senator Ranker is interested in expanding outdoor recreation credentials at higher education institutions in Washington. He has taken note of the efforts of Colorado’s Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry to establish the following degree programs, and he would like to do something similar in Washington.
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Final Report on "Rec Pass" and Recommendations

Ruckelshaus Center issues final report

See the ATTACHED Word Doc (“Recreation Fees Final Report…”) for a blurb that touches on key recommendations and options in the final report. Below are links to the Final Report Executive Summary and the full Final Report. We’ve also cut and pasted the budget proviso language from Governor Inslee’s proposed FY 2018 Operating Budget that, if adopted by the Legislature, would allow for the hiring of a consultant to more closely analyze and estimate fiscal impacts and revenue potential of the three preferred options that were in the report.
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State Seeks Comment on Outdoor Recreation Plan

RECREATION AND CONSERVATION OFFICE

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Funding Board wants to know what you think the priorities should be for outdoor recreation.  The board has a draft statewide recreation and conservation plan that is meant to be a guide for decision-makers when they prioritize recreation and conservation efforts for the next 5 years.
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Washington State's Outdoor Recreation Economy Generates

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