2022-2026 ACTION AGENDA EXPLORER

STRATEGY 22

Outdoor Recreation & Stewardship

Expand and promote equitable access to information and opportunities for engagement for outdoor recreation and stewardship actions and recognition of tribal nations’ treaty and sovereign rights.
Participation in nature-based outdoor activities is beneficial to residents’ human wellbeing in multiple ways; physical movement, breathing fresher air, absorbing vitamin D, place attachment, and clearing one’s thoughts all contribute to improved human wellbeing. Similarly, engaging in activities that benefit the environment can create a sense of meaning and identity for some individuals, thereby benefiting both the human and biophysical components of our ecosystem. We must also recognize the increase of outdoor recreation has an adverse impact on wildlife populations and inhibits the tribal nations from exercising their usual and accustomed hunting and gathering practices.

The goal of this strategy is to develop and promote culturally relevant projects and programs that encourage and incentivize behavior changes to protect, restore, and responsibly enjoy Puget Sound. Sound stewardship refers to the fact that although the 5.3 million residents of Puget Sound pose the greatest threats to the natural environment, engaging residents and institutions in protection, restoration, and individual behavior change offers the greatest opportunity for recovering Puget Sound. This strategy seeks to identify and remove barriers resulting in the exclusion of people from participating in recreation and stewardship activities. Additionally, this strategy seeks to engage communities to increase knowledge of responsible use, tribal nations’ treaty and sovereign rights, and define opportunities for responsible recreation within natural environments.
DESIRED OUTCOMES
  • Increase multiple use opportunities
  • Remove barriers to outdoor participation
  • Support community-based stewardship
Actions

Engage communities to increase knowledge of responsible use, tribal nations’ treaty and sovereign rights, and define responsible recreation opportunities within natural environments. (ID #72)

Key opportunities for 2022-2026 include:

  • Increase the number of protection, restoration, and stormwater management and retrofit projects that include multi-use elements;
  • Promote communal gardening spaces and food forests on publicly owned lands;
  • Encourage private developments to integrate access to open spaces and waterways.

Develop, fund, and promote culturally relevant projects and programs to encourage and incentivize behavior changes that will protect, restore, and enable responsible enjoyment and stewardship of Puget Sound. (ID #159)

Key opportunities for 2022-2026 include:

  • Increase understanding of the connections between outdoor recreation and stewardship activities;
  • Increase monitoring and evaluation of behavior change projects and programs, and increase understanding of effectiveness;
  • Develop and distribute culturally-relevant information, public signage, and other forms of education throughout public spaces about specific actions to protect and restore Puget Sound;
  • Increase funding and support for culturally relevant behavior change projects and programs.

Identify and fund removal of barriers resulting in the exclusion of people from participating in recreation and stewardship activities. (ID #160)

Key opportunities for 2022-2026 include:

  • Increase funding and support for community-based and local advocacy groups, in both urban and rural settings, that work directly with vulnerable populations and underserved communities;
  • Assess equitable distribution of recreational opportunities;
  • Engage with vulnerable populations and underserved communities, including those with disabilities, those affected by homelessness, and rural youth, to assess and remove barriers to accessing natural environments in Puget Sound.
Implementation Considerations

No related implementation considerations at this time.