Washington Trails Association

Washington Trails Association is an outdoor nonprofit with a big vision: Trails for Everyone, Forever. Get involved at wta.org ?? Video produced by Sky Bear Media ?? Music by Ga?la Braun

Today is Hiker Rally Day! We’re in Olympia with hundreds of hikers from across Washington to speak with legislators about the importance of funding trails. The state budget is TIGHT this legislative session, and public lands need our help. Find out about more opportunities to speak up for trails by signing up for Trail Action Network at https://lnkd.in/gMwdgW-F.

Thank you Microsoft for recognizing WTA as a key nonprofit partner that has made an impact on Puget Sound communities. This work is made possible by individuals like WTA staffer Angelic Friday. Her contributions to WTA’s programs have helped bring lost trails back online, strengthened relationships with land managers and fostered growth in the next generation of outdoor leaders. Learn about Angelic and other inspiring stories while celebrating Microsoft’s 50th anniversary ?? #PugetSound #Microsoft #NonProfit

Pete Dewell — assistant crew leader, community leader and teacher of thousands of trail workers — passed away at home on Sunday, March 2, at the age of 95. Pete shaped WTA as an organization. He spent thousands of days on trail, helped formalize our volunteer leadership program, served on WTA's board for 6 years and even provided WTA with pro bono legal counsel in our early years. His impact cannot be overstated; we are deeply saddened by his death. Join us in remembering Pete and his incredible legacy.

UPDATE: On March 11, the USDA announced that all probationary employees who were fired will be rehired with back pay. This follows a March 5 decision by The Merit Systems Protection Board — an agency that considers federal employees’ complaints against the federal government — that the fired employees should be returned for their jobs for 45 days. – This winter, the Trump Administration terminated thousands of USDA Forest Service and National Park Service employees. 6,618 hikers across Washington took action to write to Congress to reverse these decisions and to volunteer and donate. And with our community’s support, we’re speaking up for the people who care for our public lands. Policies and issues like these massive layoffs impact hikers and public lands. WTA has a long history of bringing hikers together to protect the places we love — in Washington, D.C., in the halls of the state Capitol in Olympia and even in your hometown. You can stay up to date with opportunities to get involved?by joining our Trail Action Network. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gPCyZDFc #PublicLands #Washington #Advocacy

Crystal Rose Hudelson is a climber, volunteer and POC community leader. She's also the proud owner of a crosscut saw, which she refurbished and learned how to use while acquiring her A level sawyer certification with WTA. But for Crystal, the crosscut wasn't just a hands-on experience: it was a way of growing closer to community ?? #InternationalWomensDay #TrailMaintenance #Saw

Assistant crew leaders Mary Beth and Jim Fitzgerald celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on-trail last fall by joining a WTA day work party. That's 20 years of marriage and 18 years of volunteering! ? Learn how volunteering with WTA gives them a way to spend time together and give back to trails at the same time. #Volunteering #NonProfit

Nearly two-thirds of Washington's public lands are federally-managed. And with recent mass firings of USDA Forest Service and National Park Service employees, the future of these lands is at risk. That's why WTA's policy and planning manager Michael DeCramer has traded out his hiking boots for a suit and traveled to Washington, D.C. on behalf of the thousands of hikers who've called for these firings to be reversed. Michael’s visit is part of Hike the Hill, a national event organized by the American Hiking Society and Partnership for the National Trails System, to bring together the trails community to advance shared recreation priorities with national leaders. Learn more about how YOU can advocate for Washington's public lands: https://lnkd.in/gij4eppA #HikeTheHill #ForestService #NationalParkService #PublicLands #NonProfit #Washington

“We need Congress to take a strong stand and reverse these firings that may be catastrophic to Washington's natural beauty.” In their The Seattle Times op-ed, Washington Trails Association CEO Jaime Loucky and The Mountaineers CEO Tom Vogl call upon representatives to ensure the safety of Washington’s public lands and the people who visit them by reversing the recent staffing cuts on federal lands.? “Our organizations have built strong partnerships with the Forest Service that leverage the outdoor community’s passion to maintain public resources. Nonprofits can help fill the gap, but we need Forest Service staff to work with us in order to do so.” Read the op-ed to learn more. #PublicLands #Washington

“We need Congress to take a strong stand and reverse these firings that may be catastrophic to Washington's natural beauty.” In their The Seattle Times op-ed, Washington Trails Association CEO Jaime Loucky and The Mountaineers CEO Tom Vogl call upon representatives to ensure the safety of Washington’s public lands and the people who visit them by reversing the recent staffing cuts on federal lands.? “Our organizations have built strong partnerships with the Forest Service that leverage the outdoor community’s passion to maintain public resources. Nonprofits can help fill the gap, but we need Forest Service staff to work with us in order to do so.” Read the op-ed to learn more. #PublicLands #Washington