Advocacy in the Blog
The latest news and wins on issues impacting hikers and public lands. Stay in the loop by signing up for Trail Action Network today!
Finally! Suiattle River Road to Reopen in Late Fall
Jun 06, 2014
Repairs on the Suiattle River Road is scheduled to be completed by late fall. Here's what hikers who want to access the corridor during construction need to know, and a glimpse of what you have to look forward to next year.
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Olympic National Park Proposes Temporary Move of Enchanted Valley Chalet
Jun 05, 2014
Teetering on the bank of the East Fork Quinault River in Olympic National Park, the Enchanted Valley Chalet likely cannot withstand another harsh Olympic winter. Park officials want to temporarily move the chalet away from the river, a plan that WTA supports. Share your thoughts on the proposed move by midnight June 5.
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Lyle Community Trails Plan Moves Forward
May 05, 2014
A draft plan for a system of non-motorized trails adjacent to the town of Lyle will be presented at a public meeting from 6-8 pm on May 7th. WTA looks forward to engaging volunteers in helping to build and maintain this new trail system, but we need your support to help make it the best trail plan it can be.
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Help Plan Whatcom County’s Newest Park, Speak Up for Trails
Apr 28, 2014
Help Whatcom County plan the future of Lake Whatcom Park, including a robust trail system that could include more than 50 miles of new trails for hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners and equestrians.
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How Do You Hike and Camp on Gifford Pinchot National Forest?
Apr 24, 2014
Two great opportunities to shape the future of roads in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Join us at our annual Vancouver Hiker Potluck and fill out a short questionnaire before the Apr. 30 deadline.
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Saving Green Mountain Lookout, A Brief Retrospective
Apr 17, 2014
This week, President Obama signed the Green Mountain Lookout Heritage Protection Act, putting an end to years of uncertainty around the fate of the beloved lookout perched high in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of Washington's Cascade range.
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Print-Your-Own: New Northwest Forest Pass Option
Apr 16, 2014
Beginning this month, hikers can purchase and print a day pass for trailheads where you need a Northwest Forest Pass. It's a convenient option for spur-of-the-moment adventures on trails in Washington's National Forests, from Mount Baker to Mount Adams.
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Murray, Cantwell Secure Unanimous Senate Passage of Green Mountain Lookout Bill
Apr 03, 2014
Today, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation to preserve the Green Mountain Lookout in Glacier Peak Wilderness. The House could take up the bill as soon as next week.
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Green Mountain Lookout Bill Passes Congress
Apr 07, 2014
The U.S. House has joined the Senate in passing legislation to preserve the Green Mountain Lookout in Glacier Peak Wilderness. The bill will now go to President Obama for signature.
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Help Olympic National Park Plan for Wilderness Management
Mar 26, 2014
Learn about Olympic National Park draft plans for managing the park’s wilderness on everything from trails to bear canisters to self-registration stations. Then, find out how to weigh in.
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2014 Legislative Session: How Trails Fared
Mar 14, 2014
How did trails and recreation fare in the state legislature? The short, 60-day legislative session ended in Olympia late last night with a few important bills that impact hikers making it across the finish line just in time. Here’s a brief look at some of those bills that are currently awaiting Governor Inslee’s signature to become law.
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Governor Inslee Makes Outdoor Recreation a Priority
Feb 20, 2014
“Outdoor recreation is an underappreciated part of our economy,” said Governor Inslee yesterday. Inslee has created a blue ribbon task force to look at ways to support the outdoor recreation industry and increase funding for recreation areas. A special focus will be placed on getting people, especially youth and families, engaged in outdoor activities.
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Obama Administration Supports Green Mountain Lookout
Feb 12, 2014
The Obama Administration announced its support to for the legislation to preserve the Green Mountain Lookout in Glacier Peak Wilderness, but the fate of the lookout remains unclear.
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What Kind of Trails Do You Want in Larrabee State Park?
Jan 14, 2014
Washington State Parks is just starting to plan the future of Larrabee State Park, and they want to hear from you. What kind of trails and recreation experiences do you want to see at Larrabee?
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Government Report Underscores Trail Maintenance Backlog
Jan 09, 2014
Recently, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report to Congress about U.S. Forest Service trails. The message: "Long- and short-term improvements could reduce maintenance backlog and enhance system sustainability."
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Sally Jewell Aims to Put Young People to Work on Public Lands
Jan 09, 2014
The Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, secures the first million towards an initiative aimed at putting 100,000 young people and veterans to work outdoors on conservation and stewardship of public lands.
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Klickitat County Trails Plan Seeks Input from Local Residents
Dec 18, 2013
Local trails plan to connect the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail to the town of Lyle is seeking input from Klickitat County residents.
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How Do You Hike on Mount-Baker Snoqualmie Lands?
Nov 12, 2013
Don't miss your opportunity to shape the future of roads in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Attend the last public meeting in Everett on Nov. 13 and fill out a short questionnaire before the Nov. 30 deadline.
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Jonathan Guzzo: A Dozen Years of Advocacy
Nov 04, 2013
After twelve years as advocacy director, WTA bids a fond farewll to Jonathan Guzzo. As he takes the next step in his career, he leaves hikers in a much better position than when he arrived in 2001. From trail funding to coalition-building around trails, Jonathan has delivered time and again for hikers.
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Hikers Rejoice! Funding Returns to Parks, Federal Lands
Oct 17, 2013
With the federal government shutdown officially over, we rounded up some key information to help you get out hiking Washington's federal lands in all their autumn glory.
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Q&A: The Shutdown and Hikers
Oct 09, 2013
Questions and answers to common questions about the impact the federal government shutdown is having on hikers in Washington state.
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Cooperative Effort Secures 50K Acres of Teanaway Land
Oct 02, 2013
Hikers and other recreational trail users have something big to celebrate today, the purchase of 50,272 acres in the Teanaway region by Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
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Federal Shutdown: What it Means for Hikers, Campers, Volunteers
Oct 01, 2013
Due to an impasse in Congress, the federal government shut down at midnight last night. Aside from the many impacts to federal employees and programs, the shutdown also impacts hikers, campers and trail volunteers.
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Suiattle River Rd. to Close to Foot, Bike Traffic for Repairs
Aug 29, 2013
The Suiattle River Road will be closed to all human visitation from milepost 11.6 to the end between September 6 and October 10 for long awaited repairs.
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Spotlight on the Suiattle, Action on Trail Access
Aug 09, 2013
As repairs to the Suiattle River Road slowly begin to approach reality, Ron Judd, a staff writer for The Seattle Times, has written thoughtful article in examining the challenges that hikers are facing in accessing some of the wild places hikers love. Find out how you can get involved in access issues.
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Alpine Lakes Protection Bill Gets A House Hearing
Jul 25, 2013
The Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions bill continues to show momentum for passage in 2013. After having passed the U.S. Senate on June 19, its companion bill, H.R. 361, received a hearing in the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation on July 23.
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Support the King County Parks Levy on Aug. 6
Jul 17, 2013
If you live in King County, please take a moment to vote Yes on the King County Parks Levy by Aug. 6. This levy is essential to maintaining and improving the vital trail systems throughout the King County Park system.
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Greenway Seeks National Heritage Area Status
Jul 15, 2013
The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust is leading a bipartisan campaign to have the U.S. Congress designate the Mountains to Sound Greenway as a national heritage area. Learn more about how to help.
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New State Budget a Mixed Bag for Trails, Hikers
Jul 01, 2013
Washington state's new budget made deep cuts across agencies that manage lands (and trails) in the state, but there's some good news mixed in with the bad. From State Parks to Mount Si and good news for Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program projects, read our recap from Olympia.
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Act Today for Trail Funding in Transportation Bill
Jun 26, 2013
Live in Pierce County? You could make the difference in a Washington State legislative vote on the transportation package that would help fund outdoor recreation.
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