Hiker Rally Day FAQs
Every two years at Hiker Rally Day, WTA connects members of our hiking community with their elected officials to speak up for trails. Ninety percent of Washington residents use trails, and legislators need to hear, loud and clear, that we care about our public lands!
At Hiker Rally Day, you get the opportunity to tell your representatives how important trails are to you and everyone in Washington. You don’t need to be an expert in public lands policy – anyone can be an advocate.
Hiker Rally Day is coming up on March 18, 2025, and we wanted to share some commonly asked questions about participating.
Will this year's hiker rally day be in person or online?
Hiker Rally Day 2025 will be in person in Olympia.
Why should I register in advance?
We can only schedule meetings with your legislator if we know constituents from your district will be present. Legislators' schedulers require advance notice, so Hiker Rally Day is only possible when participants commit to be there in advance. We greatly appreciate your registration by February 25.
is it fun?
Absolutely! Hiker Rally Day is a great chance to meet other hikers from across the state and maybe get some trail recommendations. Plus, you get to be an active part of the democratic process and learn from fellow legislators, their staff, the WTA team and fellow participants.
“You will enjoy meeting so many interesting people, all with an appreciation for the outdoors,” said Mark Uhurt, a past Hiker Rally Day participant.
what is the time commitment?
The time commitment is 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on March 18, plus the travel time to and from Olympia that day. During the morning, all participants will gather with WTA staff for a training session to walk through our priorities and share how legislator meetings work. During the afternoon, you’ll have up to three legislator meetings, each approximately 15 minutes long — one with your state senator and one with each of your two state representatives. The timing for these meetings is dependent on the lawmakers' availability.
DOES MEETING WITH MY REPRESENTATIVE ACTUALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Representatives are asked to vote upon many different issues, and they rely on input from experts and constituents like you to make decisions.
“Don’t be afraid. Tell your story. Legislators like myself are people … We all have our different areas of policy expertise, and sometimes we don’t know what’s going on in those other areas, and you’re the expert,” said Andrew Barkis, state representative for the 2nd Legislative District.
what if i meet with my representative's staff? is that still making a difference?
It is common to meet with staff instead of a legislator. Legislative assistants are well-versed in meeting with constituents, and they are committed to reporting information from any meetings back to your representative. Some of them are even passionate hikers!
Do I have to meet with my representative by myself?
Nope, you’ll have company. We generally schedule one meeting per office. That means you and other hikers who live in your district will attend the meeting together. If you want to guarantee you’ll have a buddy you know, ask a neighbor to sign up and join you. If you are the only participant from your district, a WTA staffer will join you for the meeting.
“It's not as scary as you might think. Legislators love to talk to constituents and you would be surprised how many are eager to share their personal hiking stories,” said Susan Saul, a repeat Hiker Rally Day participant.
I didn't vote for my representative. will they still listen to me?
Yes. They work for everyone who lives in their district.
Do I have to be an issue expert? I don't know anything about how the budget works.
Nope! All you need to do is share your personal experiences and passion for spending time on trails and public lands. Our training will provide you with all of the other high-level items you might want to bring up.
“Legislators are very responsive to hearing about the benefits we as individuals gain from public lands and trails. It's surprisingly easy to present an ‘ask’ for something you truly believe in, especially when it benefits our communities and society at large,” said Richard Mellon, a Hiker Rally Day participant.
Who can attend rally day?
The short answer is anyone! Hikers from all walks of life attend. Hiker Rally Day takes place on a weekday when legislators are in their offices. Some attendees are able to take off from work or school for the day. Other participants are retired, or have a non-traditional work schedule.
We recognize that not everyone can take off work or school or has access to transportation to Olympia. If you can't join us in person, know that we will offer digital opportunities to make your voice heard in the state legislature.
What should I wear?
Choose an outfit that is on the spectrum from “business casual” to “business professional.” Yes, you are representing hikers’ interests, but you will make a good impression by exchanging your favorite fleece for a nice button-down shirt or blouse and a jacket or tie. Your legislator will likely be wearing business professional attire like a suit.
should I bring Anything to my meetings?
It's always a good idea to pen and notebook if you'd like to take notes, or to have some talking points written out. Aside from that, all you really need to bring is a positive attitude and a willingness to share your story.
how do I sign up?
Attendees at Hiker Rally Day gather on the capitol steps in advance of legislator meetings. Photo by WTA staff.