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.

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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 ]

 

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!

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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Letters From the Outdoors Letters From the Outdoors

Letters From the Outdoors

Mike Racine, President, Big Tent Outdoor Recreation Coalition

Hello Washington outdoor recreationalists, This is the first of an ongoing initiative to communicate regularly regarding issues that affect the outdoor recreation community and economy in Washington. As you may know, the Big Tent Outdoor Recreation Coalition works to effect policy and investment by the state of Washington as it relates to outdoor recreation. We believe communication between us and our members is a key element of doing that job effectively. We hope you enjoy the inaugural “Letter from the Outdoors”. REI recently developed a new report, “The Path Ahead”, aimed at prompting deeper dialogue about why we all ought to #OptOutside. Did you know the average American spends 95% of their life indoors? What does that lead to?
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The Path Ahead // A New Report From REI On Why We All Ought to #OptOutside

REI

On Monday last week, we launched #OptOutside for 2017. Our focus, once more, is to celebrate hardworking people dedicated to a life outdoors and to get more Americans outside. We’re introducing a number of things to do that this year. Today, we’re especially happy to share a new report with you, the nonprofit and government leaders who have built #OptOutside. Entitled The Path Ahead, it captures trends that affect the future of life outdoors. It doesn’t present the answers. It’s designed to provoke discussion by exploring nine ‘brutal truths’ juxtaposed with nine ‘beautiful possibilities.’ Together, they paint a picture of what could happen if we stay inside as a species, or #OptOutside. You can access the content at www.rei.com/blog/the-path-ahead. It includes a compelling animation, which also can be viewed here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8scLX_eL2Q.
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State Parks Director Don Hoch Receives National Distinguished Service Award State Parks Director Don Hoch Receives National Distinguished Service Award

State Parks Director Don Hoch Receives National Distinguished Service Award

Washington State Parks

OLYMPIA –Sept. 19, 2017– Washington State Parks Director Don Hoch has been awarded the National Association of State Parks Directors’ (NASPD) top award for 2017—the Distinguished Service Award. The honor was presented at the association’s 2017 annual meeting in Missoula on Sept. 7.
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How to Improve Outdoor Recreation In Washington State

The William D. Ruckelshaus Center

Public land management agencies in Washington State are working with Washington State University to identify opportunities to simplify the State’s recreation pass and permit system, help increase access to our public outdoor recreation lands, and find ways to ensure our public lands are adequately funded. To understand these issues, Washington State University is conducting a survey of Washington residents to understand your outdoor recreation activities on public lands, and your perspectives on the current pass and permit system and funding of public lands. Your responses to this brief survey (approximately 10-15 minutes) will remain confidential and help us develop informed recommendations on how to improve our state’s recreation pass and permit system. If you have any issues accessing or completing the survey, please contact Season Hoard, the survey coordinator, at (509) 335-4093 or hoardsa@wsu.edu.
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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