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How WTA ambassadors helped hikers across the state this year

WTA’s dedicated ambassadors spread the joy of hiking in 2024 through connection, awareness and education. By Nicole Masih-Théberge.

In 2024, WTA ambassadors supported more than 70 events across the state. Volunteers answered questions about Leave No Trace principles, awarded WTA logo stickers to kids guessing how many national parks are in Washington and demonstrated the proper use of a Pulaski. WTA’s dedicated ambassadors spread the joy of hiking in three main ways: connection, awareness and education. 

Photo of four people smiling on rocky trail with blue skies, evergreens, and mountain slopes in the background.
After outreach at Heather-Maple Pass, WTA ambassadors Nomi Fuchs, Jenn Seva and Skye Guidotti hiked and ran into Forest Service wilderness ranger Michael Sawiel.

    • Get Involved
    • In the coming year, WTA ambassadors will continue to share the joy of hiking. If you’d like to be part of the fun, make sure you’re signed up for WTA newsletters, wta.org/trailnews, to hear about upcoming events.

Connection

Our main goal at any event is to foster connection and support our work to ensure a future where there are trails for everyone. Ambassadors attend events focused on a wide range of outdoor communities. In 2024, events our ambassadors attended included Refuge Outdoor Festival, which is geared towards BIPOC folks and allies; the Chuckanut 50k, for trail runners; and the Back Country Horsemen Rendezvous, for horse enthusiasts. WTA events, such as Trails and Ales and Hike the State, also help bring new people into our community. This year, we had Trails and Ales events in Bellingham, Vancouver, Spokane, Cle Elum and Seattle. 

Awareness 

WTA has so many resources that can help hikers — but only if those hikers know about them! Ambassadors attended large community events like Pacific Crest Trails Days, Spokane-area Valley Fest and Issaquah Salmon Days to spread the word about WTA. Often, folks know about WTA for two main reasons: our trail work and our Hiking Guide. Ambassadors help hikers learn more, such as about our advocacy work or how to sign up to volunteer. Ambassadors talk to folks, find out their interests and then let them know how WTA can help. 

Education 

Providing opportunities for trail users to take better care of themselves, other humans and the land and wildlife when they recreate is vital to our mission. Our ambassadors spend time where hikers are — at trailheads — and work to provide a welcoming space. They answer questions and provide a gentle education on topics such as Leave No Trace and the Ten Essentials. In 2024, ambassadors worked at 13 trailheads and spoke with approximately 3,200 recreators. 

This article originally appeared in the Winter 2024 issue of Washington Trails Magazine. Support trails as a member of WTA to get your one-year subscription to the magazine.