History, Accomplishments & Significant Reports

2024

2023

  • December 8, 2023: Outdoor Equity Coalition was established
  • The Big Tent recognized its 11 Year Anniversary, September 7, 2023. They held a board meeting at the White River Valley Museum, Muckleshoot Room and experienced a guided tour of the museum specific to Mukleshoot history.
    • Resolution Recognizing Doug Levy
    • Resolution Recognizing Founding Members
    • Resolution Recognizing Current Members
    • Resolution Recognizing 11 Year Anniversary
  • Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Report - 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 Policy Calls - Fridays 8:45 - 9:00 a.m, January - April

2022

  • Big Tent Outdoor Recreation Coalition Legislative Celebration, Thursday Feb. 17, 2022 / View Recording
  • Big Tent Policy Calls - Fridays 8:45 - 9:00 a.m

2021

2020

  • November 10, 2020 | The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Annual Report
  • August 4, 2020 | Great American Outdoors Act signed into law: Press Release
    • Thank you from Washington's outdoor community VIDEO
  • July 30, 2020 | Update on the Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation in Washington State: Report
    Building off an analysis conducted in 2015, this report estimates that outdoor recreation in Washington supports $26.5 billion in annual expenditures. This spending goes on to support 264,000 jobs throughout Washington.

2019

  • September 30, 2019 | Recreational Assets of Statewide Significance Study: By the Recreation and Conservation Office, Report
  • March 14, 2019 Legislative Reception
  • Big Tent Outdoor Recreation Coalition: Legislative Platform

2018

  • Outdoor Recreation Caucus Formed
  • U.S. Department of Commerce: Report

2017

2016

  • Big Tent Rally Recap: Press
    The average person in Washington state spends about 56 days a year recreating outdoors on 23 million acres of public land. Not only does outdoor recreation bring an impressive amount of money to Washington’s economy, it also generates more jobs than information technology and the aerospace job markets; two large industries that also contribute to the state’s financial landscape.

2015

  • Created a new dedicated position in the Governor's office for the Outdoor Recreation Sector
  • Established a cross agency outdoor recreation coordinating council.
  • $1 million to fund "No Child Left Inside."
  • $10 million to fund Youth Athletic Fields (YAF) grant program.
  • Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation in Washington State: Report
    This study, completed by the Recreation & Conservation Office in January 2015, finds that people in Washington spend nearly $22 billion each year hiking, skiing, boating, golfing, and in other outdoor pursuits.

2014

  • Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on Parks and Outdoor Recreation Established
  • Outdoor Industry - First Report
  • Incorporated and formed the Coalition and received official non-profit, 501(c)(6) status

2012

  • The Big Tent was established September 7, 2012, in the Tacoma program center of The Mountaineers, with 25-30 representatives from outdoor recreation organizations, environmental organizations, and lands and conservancy groups.