WTA visits Washington, D.C., to ask for the funding trails and hikers need
WTA is advocating for Congress to pass the Transit to Trails Act, which would create a federal grant program to fund more public transportation to trailheads. More than 1,640 people have signed a WTA petition to express their support for this bill. Michael Decramer, WTA’s policy and planning manager, traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to deliver those petition signatures and to participate in the 27th annual Hike the Hill.
Millions of people in the United States lack easy access to parks and greenspace. WTA knows getting outside is vital to people’s mental and physical health, and we are committed to reducing barriers to hiking trails and public lands. As part of that commitment, WTA is advocating for Congress to pass the Transit to Trails Act, which would create a federal grant program to fund more public transportation to trailheads.
King County Metro's Trailhead Direct bus routes are an example of the programs that would be funded by the Transit to Trails Act. Photo courtesy of King County Parks.
The Transit to Trails Act would have a national impact on access to nature by:
- Boosting outdoor access and improving health in communities of color and low-income communities, in both rural and urban areas.
- Prioritizing projects that provide free or discounted rates for low-income riders.
- Ensuring that new routes to trailheads are accessible to people with disabilities.
- Improving air and water quality and combating climate change by reducing emissions.
More than 1,640 people have signed a WTA petition to express their support for this bill. Michael DeCramer, WTA’s policy and planning manager, traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to deliver those petition signatures and to participate in the 27th annual Hike the Hill. He joined trails organizations including the Partnership for the National Trail System, American Hiking Society, Back Country Horsemen of America and others in meetings with congressional and federal agency leaders. All of our groups spoke to decision-makers about the need for trail funding, conservation and equitable access.
Michael DeCramer, WTA's policy and planning manager, visits Washington, D.C. to deliver signatures from WTA's petition supporting the Transit to Trails Act.
Michael delivered the Transit to Trails petition to all of Washington state’s representatives in Congress. Rep. Adam Smith, Rep. Marilyn Strickland and Rep. Pramila Jayapal are already cosponsors of the Transit to Trails Act. We were able to thank their offices for championing this bill. We asked the other members of Congress from our state to join their colleagues in cosponsoring this act that would make it easier for people to get to trails. WTA also spoke with congressional offices about other key legislation and the need to provide robust and consistent funding to public land agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service.
One of the joys of meeting with leaders in Washington, D.C., is conveying the local hiking community’s passion for public lands and trails. So many people have deep connections with the outdoors and want to protect the places where they love to recreate.
Congressional leaders are continually impressed that WTA trail projects, powered by volunteers, contributed more than 157,000 hours of labor to maintain trails in 2023 alone. Members of Congress understand how much people want to spend time outdoors, and they benefit from hearing that their constituents care about improving transportation and other issues that affect outdoor access.
If you haven’t signed already, you can add your name to our petition supporting Transit to Trails, as we continue to advocate to make this bill a reality. Thank you for being a voice for trails and for everyone who wants to enjoy them.
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