WE BELIEVE
OUTDOOR RECREATION
Matters.
WELCOME TO THE BIG TENT
The Umbrella Organization for the voice of Outdoor Recreation in Washington State.

The mission  of the Big Tent  is to promote sustainable, diverse, equitable, and inclusive outdoor experiences in Washington state through advocacy and education.

What we do:  The Big Tent advocates for sustainable state funding for recreation and conservation lands as well as sustainable and equitable development and human interaction with those lands.

Vision:  The Big Tent envisions a Washington where elected leaders, businesses, nonprofits, and residents are working together to create a more inclusive and equitable outdoor experience for all. We want to find ways to use outdoor recreation to fuel economic activity and sustain healthy outcomes in our communities.

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 ]

 

SPONSORS

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!

BigTent Admin
/ Categories: General Interest, Legislative Updates, Press

May 2020 Outdoor Rec Hotlist and Planning + Grant Opportunities

By Jon Snyder, Senior Policy Advisor to Gov. Jay Inslee

CORONAVIRUS resources:

All the latest updates: https://coronavirus.wa.gov/

May HOTLIST

  1. State Outdoor Recreation Opening

    1. State recreation lands to reopen May 5 – local day-use only

    2. Anglers hit the water as fishing opens

    3. Olympic National Park to begin phased-in reopening next week

    4. Local officials: Reopening should be taken slowly

    5. Some recreation will be allowed to reopen May 5th

    6. Crawford State Park and Gardner Cave remain closed among 31 others

    7. When will we reach next phase of reopening? Great question.

    8. WA moves to reopen: Not so much here

  2. As Washington state slowly reopens, dark clouds hover over budget

  3. Social distancing and the outdoors:

    1. The danger of ending social distancing too early

    2. Social distancing survival guide

    3. Why Tri-Cities is doing worse on social distancing. Warm weather doesn’t help

    4. Ideas Roll in for Combating "Dangerous Crowding" on Seattle's Trails and Sidewalks

    5. Sunny holiday weekend causes concerns (link not available)

  4. Concerns about too much travel to rural areas:

    1. Olympic National Park closes beaches, coastal areas

    2. Fear and apprehension in Pacific County

    3. Dingler tells possible visitors, ‘Now is not the time’

    4. Fleeing Seattle affluent urbanites head to vacation homes worrying some year-rounders

  5. Bicycling Booms During Lockdown—But There's A Warning From History
     

WA outdoor business news:

Governor news:

Hunting and Fishing news:

Trails:

Additional news:

Planning:

None this month.

Grants:

LATEST COVID-19 UPDATES & RESOURCES: https://coronavirus.wa.gov/  

 

Jon Snyder
Outdoor recreation and Economic Development
Senior Policy Advisor to Gov. Jay Inslee
Office: 360-902-0488   Mobile: 360-584-3804
jon.snyder@gov.wa.gov

Previous Article President's Letter
Next Article Join us to #RecreateResponsibly // New coalition and toolkit launching Wednesday // Amplification starting 5/21
Print
1309

Washington State's Outdoor Recreation Economy Generates

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