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!

Alpine Lakes Wilderness Bill Passes Senate

Jun 20, 2013

In a surprise to many followers of federal wilderness legislation, the U.S. Senate passed the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Expansion bill last night. Now it moves on to the House of Representatives where it is scheduled for a committee hearing in July.

National Parks, Forests Make Sequestration Cuts

Jun 17, 2013

How the impacts of sequestration will impact visitors to Washington's national parks and national forests in 2013.

Wild Sky Wilderness Trails Plan Released

Jun 05, 2013

The Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest has just released its Wild Sky Wilderness Area Trail Plan which identifies, evaluates and priorities 50 existing and proposed trails in the new Wild Sky Wilderness Area.

Tell Legislators: Please Fund State Parks

May 14, 2013

The Washington State Legislature is in extra innings, and funding for Washington State Parks is at stake. Here's how you can help.

WTA Endorses Funding For King County Parks

May 16, 2013

A King County Parks levy will be going to voters in August. This property tax levy will fund ongoing maintenance on recreation facilities in King County Parks, as well as planning and implementation of potential new trail connections in the South Sound. WTA has endorsed this levy and encourages its supporters to vote yes in August.

Budget Proposals Contrast On State Park Funding

Apr 11, 2013

The Washington State House released its operating budget yesterday, allocating $23.7 million for Washington State Parks - $7.2 million more than what was allocated in the Senate's budget.

Speak Up for State Parks on their 100th Birthday

Mar 28, 2013

Washington State Parks turn 100 this year, and they're showing their age. Please call your state senator and ask them to reinvest in our state parks.

Whatcom Welcomes New Forested Park

Mar 13, 2013

In great news for hikers, Whatcom County Council approved a new park for the county with a vote of 5-2 last night. The new Lake Whatcom Forest Preserve Park, at almost 8,844 acres, will be one of the largest local parks in the nation.

What Sequestration Means for Hikers

Mar 06, 2013

Last week, when our elected officials in Washington, DC decided not to act on a "sequestration" deadline, they set in motion a set of fiscal cutbacks that could dramatically impact hiking and other recreation on federal lands. Seasonal hiring for the backcountry, trail work, reduced hours and even closures are a stake in this latest showdown.

The Legislature: What's In, What's Out, What's Next

Feb 28, 2013

WTA runs down the status of bills in Olympia pertaining to the Discover Pass and hikers.

Outdoor Recreation Boosts Washington's Economy

Feb 21, 2013

According to the Outdoor Industry Association the outdoor industry in Washington State is responsible for $22.5 billion in direct sales, $7.1 billion in wages and salaries, $1.6 billion in tax revenues and 226,000 jobs.

WTA Visits The Other Washington

Feb 22, 2013

Four members of Washington Trails Association's board and staff visited Washington, DC last week and met with both U.S. Senators, seven members of Washington's Congressional delegation and key staff from the remaining three Congressional districts about recreation funding issues.

WTA Releases State Of Access Report

Feb 13, 2013

WTA today released State of Access: The Future of Roads on Public Lands. In an era of major storm events, budget cuts and environmental sustainability, this report is a tool to help land managers and the hiking community assess which roads to fix and which roads to let go.

How Looming Sequestration Would Impact National Parks

Feb 20, 2013

The country's latest fiscal stand-off, known widely as "sequestration," is set to commence on March 1, locking in five percent across-the-board budget cuts. Leaked documents from the National Park Service provide context to the issue by demonstrating the broad and adverse impacts that these cuts would cause, including $1.6 million from Washington's three national parks.

Possible Logging Adjacent To Cougar Mountain

Feb 07, 2013

More than 200 forested acres adjacent to Cougar Mountain and the Cougar/Squak Corridor may be logged if the King County Department of Natural Resources does not succeed in acquiring the property.

Olympic National Park Wants Your Feedback

Feb 05, 2013

Alpine Lakes Wilderness Expansion Bill Reintroduced

Jan 24, 2013

Senator Murray and Congressman Reichert have joined with co-sponsors Senator Cantwell and Congresswoman DelBene to reintroduce legislation aimed at protecting 20,000 acres adjacent to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and designating both the Middle Fork Snoqualmie and Pratt Rivers as Wild and Scenic. This important legislation has cleared every legislative hurdle other than Senate passage.

2013 State Legislative Session Kicks Off

Jan 16, 2013

The 2013 state legislative session opened in Olympia Monday, and WTA is already working on advocating for issues that are important to hikers, including funding to keep Washington State Parks open, safe and maintained.

Senators Murray and Cantwell Introduce Green Mountain Lookout Legislation

Dec 19, 2012

On December 14, Washington Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate that would protect the Green Mountain Lookout in the Glacier Peak Wilderness.

Exploratory Drilling Approved On Goat Mountain

Dec 06, 2012

This week, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest gave the go-ahead for a Canadian mining company to begin exploratory drilling on Goat Mountain, a setback in the ongoing fight to protect Goat Mountain Trail (#217) and Mount St. Helens Monument from mining threats.

Discover Pass Now Has "Choose Your Date" Option

Dec 03, 2012

The Discover Pass just got more flexible. When you order a Discover Pass online, you can now specify the day you want it to start within the next year. This added "choose your date" option is the result of legislation that Washington Trails Association and hiker advocates helped pass earlier this year.

Protect Public Lands, Preserve Washington's Economy

Dec 10, 2012

A new report from Headwaters Economics focuses on the critical role that the West's public lands base plays in supporting Washington's economy. The report provides new evidence that outdoor recreation opportunities play an important role in job growth. In short, Washington's incredible recreation opportunities make it a great place to live and work.

Suiattle Road 'No Impact' Finding a Big Impact on Hikers

Nov 29, 2012

Repairs to the Suiattle River Road may finally become a reality after a new finding from the Federal Highways Administration Western Federal Lands Division. WTA and hikers have been advocating for repairs to the Suiattle River Road since flooding and landslides closed it in 2003.

Recreation in Washington: Three Ways to Have a Say

Nov 13, 2012

Raise your voice in three ways to have a say in the future of Washington's recreation planning. Weigh in on how visitors value the Olympic Peninsula, on the future of Mount St. Helens and on broader issues of recreation in Washington state, like the commercialization of parks.

Governor Gregoire Supports Trail Funding

Aug 28, 2012

In a major victory for Washington trails this month, Governor Gregoire determined that Washington would use important Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funds focused where they belong: on trails.

Take Action to Stop Goat Mountain Mine

Jul 25, 2012

The threat of exploratory drilling has returned to Goat Mountain, just north of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Add your voice to help protect one of SW Washington’s cherished recreation areas by sending a letter or email.

Congress Preserves Trail Funding in Transportation Package

Jun 29, 2012

The epic federal transportation package that just passed the U.S. Senate and will be taken up by the U.S. House Friday contains the Recreation Trails Program (RTP), a small program that helps fund Washington Trails Association's volunteer trail maintenance program. RTP inclusion had been in question as recently as last week.

Trail Funding in Jeopardy - Act Now!

Jun 21, 2012

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is in danger in DC. The House and Senate Transportation Budget Conference Committee is close to reaching a compromise that may remove this critical trail funding program from the transportation bill. RTP delivers nearly $2 million to Washington State each year and WTA receives $175,000 annually from RTP - nearly 20% of our Trail Maintenance Program budget. Call your U.S. Representative and Senators today and ask them reject any transportation budget reauthorization that does not include dedicated funding for the Recreational Trails Program.

New Wilderness on The Olympic Peninsula?

Jun 22, 2012

Yesterday, Congressman Norm Dicks (D-WA) and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced new legislation that sets out to permanently protect more than 126,500 acres of Olympic National Forest wilderness and 19 rivers and their major tributaries (464 river miles in all) as Wild and Scenic Rivers.

New Plans For Denny Creek And Franklin Falls Trails

Jun 12, 2012

The Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is planning changes to two of the most popular trails in this corridor - Franklin Falls and Denny Creek - with expanded parking and improved trail amenities.