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!

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

July 2020 Outdoor Rec Hotlist and Planning + Grant Opportunities

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

CORONAVIRUS resources:

July HOTLIST

1.     Senate passes LWCF and National Parks funding:

U.S. Senate passes bipartisan legislation to fully fund critical conservation fund, repair and maintain National Parks

Cantwell is a policy wonk for great outdoors

 

2.    More Black Lives Matter; climbing, birding and chalk art outdoors while black:

The tale of the Black birders and ruffled feathers on Facebook

An Apology From the Publisher: Offensive Climbing Route Names

Selah city attorney warns family they could be prosecuted for creating more chalk art

 

3.       Black Lives Matter and transportation justice:

Study: AVs May Not Detect Darker-Skinned Pedestrians As Often As Lighter Ones. 

How can transportation planners better serve black and brown people?

Amid rising racial tensions parts of the Pacific Northwest don’t feel safe, BIPOC travelers say. Do we need a new Green Book?

 

4.       New Washington Outdoor Coalition Shares Six Important Tips for How to #RecreateResponsibly

5.       Harassment of mixed-race family camping in Clallam County :

Camper tells of harrowing ordeal

From hundreds of Clallam County families, an apology

 

WA outdoor business news:

New online resources make getting outdoors easier

As people clamor to get outside recreation businesses recover

Coronavirus concerns in gyms

Will Seattle’s tourist dependent businesses survive the lost summer season of 2020?

Pandemic leads to bicycle boom and shortages around the world

Upstart group Let Them Play to Gov. Kate Brown: It’s time to get youth sports back in the game

Accell Group Sees Bike Sales Rebound In May As Europe Re-Opens; Cuts Dividend

Fox Racing Partners With LOGE

REI to close Westminster store

A new survey outlines the pandemic's far-reaching effects on the guiding industry

This Whatcom Waterpark cannot opendue to COVID-19

How the Outdoor Industry Responded to Coronavirus

 

Hunting and Fishing news:

WDFW announces furloughs

St. John and Colfax area men charged with poaching

 

Trails:

Touchet Valley Trail concept takes another step forward. (Walla Walla)

 

Additional news:

County moving forward on tourism promotion

Access Fund Purchases Climbing Areas Outside Leavenworth, Washington

Fitness centers ready for Kitsap’s Phase 3 green light

Local outdoor briefs: Recreationists asked to be on lookout for Asian giant hornets

Are playdates still OK? Summertime guidance for parents and kids from PNW pediatricians

Two timber harvests planned near Gold Bar recreation areas

Camping during coronavirus brings escape and anxiety

Too many visitors forces BC to shut park on Canada-US border

Jefferson County Board of Health urges reopening of overnight camping

Loss of tourism felt in east Skagit County

Access Fund announces save Mt. Washington crags campaign

How safe are outdoor gatherings?
Spokane County Pools will stay closed this summer

A loophole for couples getting married in Peace Arch Park

Can the coronavirus travel in swimming pool water?

 

Planning:

Pierce County is leading an effort to work with property owners, community members, recreation groups, Mount Rainier National Park, the US Forest Service and others interested in the future of recreation in the Carbon River Corridor.   

Anyone who is interested is invited to learn about this process at the project website at: https://www.piercecountywa.gov/6801/Carbon-River-Corridor-Cooperative-Action

People can begin to be involved by:

  1. Taking a survey (open from June 15 to August 7, 2020)

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

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Washington State's Outdoor Recreation Economy Generates

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