You know this paragraph by heart, “The possibility of a worldwide influenza pandemic in the near future is of growing concern for many countries around the globe. The World Bank estimates that a global influenza pandemic would cost the world economy $800 billion and kill tens-of-millions of people. Researchers at the CDC calculate that deaths in the United States could reach 207,000 and the initial cost to the economy could approach $166 billion, or roughly 1.5 percent of the GDP.” Yes, Peter, old news. As my twelve-year old would say, “Tell me something I don’t know.” By now, everyone knows about the devastation of COVID-19. What if I told you that above wording is from the 2007 report “Economic Effects of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic: Implications for a Modern-Day Pandemic” (LINK) and to pull it up would involved a straightforward “1918 flu economic impact” search?

Are you looking forward to May 5?  We are too.  We are hoping you will share this message with others who may be interested in news of opening of fishing, hunting and recreational lands. Governor Jay Inslee, Kelly Susewind, director of the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, Don Hoch, director of the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission, and Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz recently provided a COVID-19 update, including announcing plans to partially reopen some fishing, hunting, and outdoor recreation opportunities in Washington starting Tuesday, May 5.

Support your favorite Washington small businesses and their employees during the COVID-19 crisis by purchasing a gift certificate online or over the phone.

It took less than a week for Superfeet employee-owners to mobilize their product development and operations departments to pivot from insole production to making life-saving equipment using their Ferndale 3D printing and manufacturing facilities. Approximately 30,000 of these PPE masks will be produced and distributed to hospitals in the Pacific Northwest immediately.

The lakes, mountains, and forests in the Pacific Northwest don’t just make it a beautiful place to live, they also encourage Washingtonians to spend an average of 56 days per year engaged in outdoor activities. This directly leads to: $26.6 billion in annual spending in the state’s outdoor recreation industry; 201,000 direct jobs; $2.3 billion in state and local tax revenue. The industry is changing nationally as age demographics shift, people move into more urban areas, and technology continues to change the way we live and track our health.  Retailers must consider sustainability, inclusivity, and gear rental as consumer needs continue to shift. Join our panel of local executives and experts as they discuss how their business is keeping up in a changing market and what opportunities they see ahead for the outdoor recreation industry.

Every county in Washington State benefits from walkers, runners, bikers, and backpackers using our beautiful trail systems. Ninety percent of Washington residents participate in non-motorized recreation annually. These two companion studies look at the economic, environmental, social, and health benefits of trails. Learn more

Enjoy this monthly round-up of interesting WA state outdoor recreation news provided compliments of Jon Snyder, Outdoor Recreation and Economic Development, Senior Policy Advisor to Gov. Jay Inslee. 

This annual one-day symposium, held in the fall, brings together professionals and community leaders in the fields of health, conservation, design and planning, and education to learn from each other and explore common goals and collective strategies related to the human health benefits of being in nature, from gardens to wildlands.