Hiking with members of Congress to advocate for trails and national public lands
This summer, WTA worked with our nonprofit partners in Outdoor Alliance Washington to plan hikes with three congressional offices. Hiking with legislators gives everyone the opportunity to slow down, experience nature and talk about shared priorities.
WTA knows people will protect the places they love to hike, from local parks to remote wilderness. When we spend time outside we connect with ourselves, others and the natural world.
Washington Trails Association works year-round to advocate for trails and public lands. One way that WTA staff build support for protecting our national public lands is by spending time on trail with members of Congress and their staff.
Members of Congress are highly scheduled individuals who bounce between meetings and flying back and forth across the country. Hiking with legislators gives everyone the opportunity to slow down, experience nature and talk about shared priorities.
This summer, WTA worked with our nonprofit partners in Outdoor Alliance Washington to plan trips with three congressional offices. We hiked with Rep. Emily Randall on the Olympic Peninsula. We spent a half day with Rep. Rick Larsen hiking along the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, and went for a morning walk up to Rattlesnake Ledge with Hayden Jenkins, Sen. Patty Murray's northwest director.
Rep. Randall and Michael DeCramer, WTA’s policy and planning manager, talk about the importance of maintaining trails and funding the U.S. Forest Service on a hike near Hood Canal. Photo by Tom O’Keefe, American Whitewater.
A chance to see on-the-ground conditions
Each August the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives take an extended break. Washington’s congressional delegation returns to the state, visits with their constituents and observes on-the-ground issues.
Rep. Randall, who is in her first term representing Washington’s 6th Congressional District, which stretches from Tacoma across the Olympic Peninsula, joined WTA staff for a hike along the Duckabush River in Olympic National Forest. Rep. Randall talked about the importance of public lands for her and the people of Washington.
"Playing in the Peninsula's forests as a kid showed me firsthand how these wild places shape who we become. Every trail I explored, every creek I crossed, every quiet moment under trees reminded me that nature isn't just scenery — it's essential to our well-being," she said. “That's why I’ll always fight to protect these lands and waters, ensuring future generations can discover the same sense of wonder and connection that these outdoor spaces gave me.”
Congressman Larsen hikes and talks with Erin Uloth, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest supervisor, along the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail during a trip organized by Washington Trails Association in partnership with Outdoor Alliance Washington and the Pacific Northwest Trail Association. Photo by Tom O’Keefe, American Whitewater.
While hiking along Baker Lake in Whatcom County, Rep. Larsen, who has represented Northwest Washington in Congress since 2001, talked about the recent efforts to sell public lands and the attempts to reduce protections for national forests.
“We have a lot of work to do”, Rep. Larsen said. “The Trump Administration still wants to, again, repeal that Roadless Rule. I bet that the effort to privatize public lands is going to come back to us as well. We need to fight to continue to protect our nation’s environment, especially here in Washington state.”
Tom O’Keefe of American Whitewater and leaders from WTA, The Mountaineers and Surfrider Foundation discuss protections for national forest lands with Hayden Jenkins, Sen. Murray's northwest director, while on a hike in July. Photo by Michael DeCramer.
Seeking long term win for the environment and outdoor recreation
Congressional advocacy is built on strong relationships and shared values. Spending time on trail with elected leaders allows Washington Trails Association to elevate the concerns of hikers and speak up for our national public lands. We are working with our congressional delegation to maintain the more than 10,000 miles of trails in Washington on national public lands. We need to work together to ensure there are trails for everyone.
Join WTA’s Trail Action Network and we’ll let you know how to be part of future wins for trails and public lands.
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