Advocacy in the Blog

Current issues affecting trails and hikers.

The latest news and wins on issues impacting hikers and public lands. Stay in the loop by signing up for Trail Action Network today!

Shape New Trails in the Central Cascades

Jun 15, 2015

The Nature Conservancy made news with a historic land purchase preserving 47,921 acres of land near Cle Elum. You have the chance to shape the future of the land.

Victory in Olympia! Bringing the Outdoors Into the Governor's Office

May 13, 2015

A new law signed by the Governor today creates the first-ever senior policy advisor on recreation in Washington. It also funds the No Child Left Inside program.

Was Your Favorite Trail Protected by This Little-Known Program?

May 15, 2015

Treasured places like Antoine Peak and Iller Creek in Spokane, the Duwamish Greenbelt in King County and more will remain in the public trust thanks to the Conservation Futures program.

Legislative Session Update: State Parks and Trails Need Your Help

Apr 22, 2015

With the state legislature in final negotiations over the budget for 2015-2017, here's where things stand for trails. Let your legislators know that you value funding for public lands.

You Can Help the Mountains to Sound Greenway Become a National Heritage Area

Apr 21, 2015

If you've hiked in the Puget Sound region or Central Cascades, you've probably hiked in the Mountains to Sound Greenway. Now it could become a National Heritage Area.

Teanaway Community Forest Draft Plan: Ready for Your Review

Apr 09, 2015

Hikers, trail runners and others now have the opportunity to read and comment on the draft management plan for the Teanaway Community Forest.

Pledge to Keep Trails Clean, Win a New Klean Kanteen

Apr 06, 2015

Do you bring your own water bottle when you hike? Do you pack your trash out? Sign the pledge to keep our trails clean, and be entered to win a new Klean Kanteen.

Mount Rainier Faces Maintenance Backlog, Asks Congress to Fund Parks

Apr 17, 2015

Reports of significant maintenance backlogs at Mount Rainier, other federal lands, point to a need for Congress to fund public lands in 2016.

DNR Plans to Expand Recreation in the Snoqualmie Corridor

Apr 02, 2015

Outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes will soon enjoy access on 120 miles of trails in the Snoqualmie Corridor as part of a recently-released recreation plan.

Speak Up for Trails in the I-90 Corridor

Mar 25, 2015

The Forest Service needs to hear from you about a timber harvest proposal that could impact trails in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest: the Hansen Creek project.

Future Voters, Avid Hikers Prove Advocacy Is for Everyone

Mar 10, 2015

Meet Planet Granite, a club of high school students devoted to getting their peers outdoors and to protecting their favorite local trails in the North Cascades.

On Lobby Day, Hikers from 26 Districts Champion Outdoor Access, Trail Funding

Feb 27, 2015

This week, more than 60 hikers joined us in Olympia to tell legislators why funding for trails and equitable outdoor access are critical issues for Washington.

Call for New Trails in Clark County Parks

Feb 26, 2015

If you'd like to see more local hiking and walking trails in Clark County, here are two easy ways to tell the county and its Parks Advisory Board how you feel in an online survey or in person.

What Do State Parks Mean to You?

Feb 23, 2015

What do you like about visiting one of Washington's State Parks? Help get the next generation into the parks by taking a brief survey, and you'll entered to win a $150 REI giftcard!

Our Call to State Legislators: Invest in Trails & Public Lands

Feb 10, 2015

Ninety percent of Washingtonians walk, hike, climb and mountaineer each year. The majority do so by utilizing trails on public lands. Yet over the past few decades, funding for parks, trails and other open spaces has been drastically reduced. The 2015 state legislative session started on January 12th. WTA has had a regular presence at the state’s capitol in Olympia, ensuring that hikers’ voices are heard loud and clear, and calling for support and sustainable funding of outdoor recreation.

New Study: The Economic Benefits of Our Outdoor Adventures

Jan 08, 2015

Your outdoor adventures have serious benefits for the state, too. A new study out today shows that outdoor recreation is a vital economic driver in Washington, generating $21.6 billion a year and almost 200,000 jobs.

Victory! Hikers Celebrate New Additions to Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Dec 11, 2014

Today, Congress passed The Alpine Lakes Wilderness bill, which will protect an additional 22,000 acres to one of hikers' most beloved destinations. WTA and hikers have been working towards this victory for seven years.

Speak Up for Hiking Trails at Teanaway Open House

Dec 02, 2014

Voice your opinions about the future of the Teanaway Community Forest at an upcoming public open house on Thursday, Dec. 4 from 5-8 p.m. at the Swauk Teanaway Grange, 1361 Ballard Rd. West, Cle Elum.

A Vision for New Columbia River Gorge Trails in Oregon State Parks

Nov 18, 2014

This spring Oregon State Parks revealed a draft of their plan to guide the next 20 years of improvements at parks they manage in the Columbia River Gorge. Public comments are due by November 21st so its critical that hikers voice support for the ideas in the plan that will improve and expand hiking opportunities in the Gorge.

Hooray! The Suiattle Road Finally Opens

Oct 30, 2014

On October 25, the Suiattle River Road, closed for 11 years due to washouts, was opened to the percussive beat of rain and much applause, restoring access to the Glacier Peak wilderness and a myriad of hikes in the area, most notably the Green Mountain Lookout. This widely-publicized destination is an extremely popular destination for hikers and history buffs alike. The road is also a boon for the nearby town of Darrington, which relies heavily on tourism dollars for the local economy.

Future of Hiking Trails on DNR Lands Depends on You

Sep 24, 2014

Help shape the future of trails like Mailbox Peak, Oyster Dome and Mount Si. Attend an upcoming meeting on DNR’s recreation trails policy, and help shape the future of state trails for years to come.

Vote YES on Seattle Parks for All by Aug. 5

Aug 01, 2014

On Aug. 5, Seattle residents will have the opportunity to Vote YES for Parks and support Seattle Proposition 1 to create a permanent, dedicated funding to Seattle’s parks and community centers. WTA has joined a long list of supporters in endorsing Proposition 1.

ONP’s Enchanted Valley Chalet Moving, Temporarily

Sep 04, 2014

Olympic National Park has begun work to move the Enchanted Valley Chalet. During the two-week project, hikers should be aware of a few restrictions in the area. The move is a temporary measure to protect the chalet, which has been threatened by a change in course of the valley's East Fork of the Quinault River.

Northwest Forest Pass Authorizing Law Up for Renewal

Aug 04, 2014

The Northwest Forest Pass bill (known as FLREA) is up for reauthorization by the end of 2015. If it isn’t reauthorized, this critical funding source for trails and recreation will be lost. WTA has been working to ensure that the legislation is reauthorized so that our trails will remain accessible and that recreation facilities maintained.

Finally! Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions Bill Heads to House Floor for a Vote

Jul 31, 2014

For the first time in four years, the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and and Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act (H.R. 361) was heard -- and passed -- in the House Natural Resources Committee.

Do You Want Hiking Trails in the Teanaway?

Jul 18, 2014

The new Teanaway Community Forest has endless possibilities for a world-class trail system for hikers. The forest does not have an official trail system to call its own, but planning is underway right now. Make sure your voice is heard on the future of trails in the Teanaway.

Greenway National Heritage Area Legislation Introduced in Senate

Jul 17, 2014

On July 15th Senator Maria Cantwell and co-sponsor Senator Patty Murray introduced a bill (S.2602) in the U.S. Senate to designate the Mountains to Sound Greenway as a national heritage area. The legislation joins Rep. Dave Reichert’s companion bill (H.R. 1785) in the U.S. House. WTA supports the Greenway’s efforts to become a national heritage area.

Which National Forest Roads Mattered Most to Hikers

Jul 16, 2014

The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, WTA and a coalition of groups have been working with hikers and other forest users to create a sustainable road strategy for the future. The data about which roads you used most is in, and are hosting a series of meetings to share their findings. The next meeting is on July 17 in Monroe.

Will Trails Be Built in the Teanaway Community Forest?

Jun 20, 2014

The first in a series of public open houses for the Teanaway Community Forest has been scheduled for Thursday, June 26. Come show your support for a designated trail system for hikers and other recreationists.

Outdoor Recreation: Tell Governor's Task Force Your Ideas for Washington

Jun 09, 2014

This year, Governor Inslee formed a Blue Ribbon Task Force to boost the state recreation economy. Attend a meeting or answer a few questions online to make sure that the task force hears what matters most to you as they chart the future of recreation in Washington.

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