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!

Big Tent Coalition Meeting Rescheduled for 6/8/2015 Big Tent Coalition Meeting Rescheduled for 6/8/2015

Big Tent Coalition Meeting Rescheduled for 6/8/2015

Location: The Nature Conservance

Due to the bill signing (SB 5843 - Great news!) we have cancelled/rescheduled the Big Tent meeting originally scheduled for 5/13.  The meeting is officially rescheduled for Monday June 8, 2015 at the Nature Conservancy in Seattle.  The membership meeting will begin at 10am and followed by the Board meeting around 11:45am. We will provide an updated agenda next week. Thank you so much for your understanding with regards to rescheduling this meeting. 
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Governor Inslee Invites You to SB 5843 Signing Governor Inslee Invites You to SB 5843 Signing

Governor Inslee Invites You to SB 5843 Signing

May 13, 12:30pm, Tolmie State Park

Outdoor recreation leaders - You are invited to join Governor Inslee at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13th at Tolmie State Park for the bill signing ceremony of SB 5843: “Concerning outdoor recreation.”  Sponsors: Senators Ranker, Parlette, Pearson, Rolfes, Hewitt, Litzow, Conway, Hasegawa, McAuliffe.

 

This bill creates an outdoor recreation policy advisor position in the Governor’s office and adds programs that utilize veterans for at least 50 percent of their program implementation to the list of criteria for the Parks and Recreation Director to use when awarding grants from the Outdoor Education Recreation grant program. Having a senior policy advisor to the Governor creates a voice for outdoor recreation that can work to build partnerships, identify opportunities, increase participation and develop incentives to increase the economic impact of outdoor recreation. Statewide, there are 199,000 jobs and $21.6 billion in annual spending related to outdoor recreation. No RSVP necessary.  Questions: call Simon Vila, 360.902.4137 or simon.vila@gov.wa.gov.

 

Date:                     Wednesday, May 13th, 2015

Time:                    12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Location:             Tolmie State Park, 7730 61st Ave. N.E., Olympia, WA 98506

Parking:               Limited parking is available on site.


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Final Passage of ESSB 5843 - Now Heads to the Governor's Desk! Final Passage of ESSB 5843 - Now Heads to the Governor's Desk!

Final Passage of ESSB 5843 - Now Heads to the Governor's Desk!

Outdoor Recreation Bill

We have great news to share regarding the passage of a bill we at the Big Tent Outdoor Recreation Coalition have been supporting.  The bill is Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5843 on outdoor recreation - and its on its way to the Governor's desk!

A day after the House insisted on its position on 5843, the Senate took a vote to concur with the House Amendments to the bill. The vote count from the Senate yesterday is below. What this means:


  • Creation of a new Outdoor Recreation senior policy adviser in the Governor's Office.  There will be performance metrics the outdoor job will have to strive for and report on;
  • Specific statutory eligibility language in the No Child Left Inside for programs that utilize veterans in their implementation or administration;
  • An earlier Senate amendment to require confirmation of the new senior policy adviser, is dropped out of the bill;
  • There is specific funding in the Senate's budget - $1M for the NCLI and $331K for the new outdoor recreation position - will still need to work to ensure that in the final budget.
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The Outdoors Summit The Outdoors Summit

The Outdoors Summit

From Colorado's backyards to the backcountry

Save the Date: June 11, 2015 - Denver CO.  Sponsored by Governor Hickenlooper, the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, and Great Outdoors Colorado, The Outdoors Summit is an unprecedented gathering of national and state leaders, advocates and visionaries to launch new initiatives to protect, preserve and enhance Colorado’s great outdoors, and to close the widening gap between our youth and nature that threatens their future and the future of Colorado’s way of life and outdoor brand.

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Whatcom Recreation Economic Study Released by Recreation Northwest Whatcom Recreation Economic Study Released by Recreation Northwest

Whatcom Recreation Economic Study Released by Recreation Northwest

Outdoor Recreation Generates $705 Million in Annual Spending in Whatcom County

BELLINGHAM, WA, April 21, 2015—Recreation Northwest, Whatcom County, City of Bellingham, Port of Bellingham and Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism announce the findings of a groundbreaking new study: The Economic Contribution of Outdoor Recreation to Whatcom County, Washington.
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Klobuchar, Wyden Call On Administration To Conduct National Report Detailing Economic Benefits of Outdoor Economy

Washington D.C.

While the federal government currently collects certain data on the benefits of the outdoor economy, we lack clear and comprehensive data on its contributions to growth and job creation at the national level. In a letter to the Secretaries of the Departments of Commerce and the Interior, Klobuchar and Wyden urged the Administration to undertake a new nationwide study that will provide businesses and policymakers with the data they need to make informed decisions and ensure our outdoor economy continues to thrive.
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Washington State's Outdoor Recreation Economy Generates

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