Amplifying Voices Across Our Community

Everyone deserves access to trails. We're supporting community partners and breaking down barriers, so that the trails of the future belong to everyone. And by amplifying voices from across the trail community and sharing stories, we can help people know we all belong in the outdoors.

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Shared-Language Hikes Helped Break Down Barriers to the Outdoors This Summer

Oct 31, 2022

Last month, ECOSS wrapped up its summer season of shared-language hiking trips to Little Si — aiming to expand outdoor access to underserved communities — using the Trailhead Direct program. We connected with some of the ECOSS staff and trip leaders to talk about their experiences hiking with their communities.

Let’s Play: King County Coalition Comes Together to Get Youth Outside

Sep 20, 2022

King County Play Equity Coalition is a network of organizations dedicated to making changes that make it easier for young people in all communities to move their bodies outside — and to get all of the benefits that come with play.

The Mid-Autumn Festival: Quality Time with Community Under the Full Moon

Sep 07, 2022

The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节) is on September 10 this year! If you’re hoping to find a place to get outside and see the full moon on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, we've got some tips and ideas.

My Journey to an Outdoor Career

How WTA helped me gain the skills to transition from the classroom to the backcountry. By Iman Chatila

A Book Made for Disabled Hikers

Syren Nagakyrie hopes their new hiking guide gives many who have felt excluded the information they need to get outside. By Jessi Loerch

How Libraries are Building a Path to the Outdoors

Aug 29, 2022

The King County Library System (KCLS) aims to support the community in their outdoor endeavors by providing hiking- and outdoor-specific resources for many years.

Field-Tested Favorites: Mealtime Experiences and Recipes from WTA Outdoor Leadership Training Leaders

Jul 18, 2022

Two leaders from WTA's Outdoor Leadership Training program, Christine Zarker Primomo and Harper McFadden, share their experiences cooking with youth in the outdoors, and their favorite backpacking recipes from their trips.

Outdoor Leaders Who Inspire Us: the Service Board

Jul 26, 2022

We recently talked with a few groups we admire, including Shona Kerrick from the Service Board, to learn more about how they are building better futures for their communities.

Outdoor Leaders Who Inspire Us: Trail Mixed Collective

Jul 19, 2022

We recently talked with a few groups we admire, including Quena Batres and Liselle Pires of Trail Mixed Collective, to learn more about how they are building better futures for their communities.

Outdoor Leaders Who Inspire Us: Sea Potential

Jul 13, 2022

We recently talked with a few local outdoor groups we admire to learn more about how they are building better futures for their communities.

A Tool to Help Wheelchair Hikers Find Trails

With the help of hikers who use wheelchairs, WTA has created a new tool to help more hikers find a trail that will work for them. | By Anna Roth

How One Forest Service Leader is Inspiring a New Generation

Jun 30, 2022

For over two decades, Aleta Eng has been working to connect people to public lands and inspiring the next generation of U.S. Forest Service leaders. As the partnership specialist for the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Aleta has been thoughtful, innovative and creative in building a strong youth and community engagement program.

I'm a Hiker. This is What that Means to Me.

Jun 06, 2022

What does it mean to be a hiker? The question is our own to answer.

Take the Bus: Trailhead Direct is Back for 2022

May 24, 2022

Trailhead Direct is starting its 2022 season this Memorial Day weekend. The service provides transit access to nearby trailheads from Seattle. Ryan Miller from King County Metro and Ryan Dotson from King County Parks give some insight into the service.

Local Transit, National Action: Trailhead Direct is Back for 2023

May 10, 2023

Trailhead Direct is starting its 2023 season this weekend. The service provides transit access to nearby trailheads from Seattle. Nationally, WTA is working to improve transit options to trails for the future.

Using Trails to See the Bigger Picture

Jun 08, 2022

Bri Ross, a member of WTA's Emerging Leaders Program, has long been interested in using recreation ecology to understand the natural world.

Empowering One Another: A Personal Reflection on My Experience With WTA's Emerging Leaders Program

Apr 26, 2022

I recently finished 12-week's in WTA's Emerging Leaders Program, a paid development opportunity for individuals who are historically underrepresented in the outdoor industry. Now, as I'm moving onto a permanent position at WTA, I'm looking back on what I learned and the power of the connections I made.

How WTA's Second Gear Library is Helping One Group Get Outside

May 06, 2022

In August last year, WTA was excited to open the doors to a second gear library, located in Puyallup’s Meridian Habitat Park. We choose this location to help us better meet the needs of communities in the South Puget Sound region. And we’ve been thrilled to see groups already getting outside, with support from the new gear library.

Rep. Strickland Visits WTA Gear Library and Talks Trail Funding

Apr 18, 2022

WTA met with Representative Marilyn Strickland to tour our Puyallup gear library and talk funding for trails.

It is Past Time to Change Racist Names on Public Lands

Apr 20, 2022