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The eight months of 2025 has been one of the busiest—and challenging—years in recent memory for trails and public lands advocates. From steep proposed budget cuts, drastic staffing cuts across land management agencies like the Forest Service, BLM, and National Park Service, to more positive bipartisan efforts to extend the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund, the work has been fast and furious. Here's a comprehensive update on where things stand, what’s at risk, and how you can get involved.
A Year of High Stakes and Heavy Activity
2025 has been marked by a new administration and aggressive policy proposals. At the federal level, trail programs and public land management agencies are facing staffing shortages, proposed funding cuts, and attacks on critical conservation programs. Yet, amid the chaos, there are also bright spots of bipartisan cooperation and opportunities to shape the future of America’s public lands.
Hike the HillⓇ kicks off the year
During the annual advocacy fly-in with trail leaders from across the country, we called on congress to reverse the firings of over 6,000 federal land management employees which were taken with the surgical precision of a chainsaw. There has been no rhyme or reason to these layoffs and all of us visiting these places over summer vacation will experience the impacts from closed restrooms and visitor centers, and trails that are impassible or don’t live up to the standards that the public has come to expect as the crown jewel of the country. Without on-the-ground staff, organizations like American Hiking Society cannot partner, and volunteers cannot give back, in the same way.
Through hundreds of meetings with Congress and agency leadership, over seventy-five trail leaders from across the country turned our frustration and anger into action, spreading this message through the halls of Congress.
There are so many opportunities right now for our public lands from the extension of the Legacy Restoration Fund, the full funding of the Recreational Trails Program, implementing the EXPLORE Act, and supporting trails through annual appropriations that the blight of these firings and funding freezes are overshadowing.
We should celebrate the bipartisan nature of public lands, outdoor recreation, trails, and hiking rather than fighting for the continued existence of America’s national treasure.
Federal Funding: A Mixed Bag
FY25 Status
Federal funding is secured through September 30, 2025, but another Continuing Resolution is all but certain beyond that date. The President’s Budget proposed sweeping cuts to federal land management agencies and specifically targeted trail programs for reductions.
FY26 Outlook
Congress has begun deliberations on the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations. Encouragingly, both the House and Senate have rejected many of the severe cuts proposed by the administration. However, full budget details remain unclear, especially since a complete Presidential Budget was not submitted this year. Funding levels for many trail programs are still unknown.
Staffing Challenges Hit Home
Staffing at key federal agencies like the National Park Service (NPS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has been deeply affected. The situation for trails includes:
- No longer having a dedicated National Trails coordinator at BLM headquarters
- Elimination of assistant trail positions within the U.S. Forest Service
- Regional staffing reductions across agencies affecting partnerships and contract work
- The NPS Partnership Office has been heavily impacted, further complicating collaborative projects
These losses represent more than bureaucratic reshuffling—they directly hinder our collective ability to build, maintain, and protect trails.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Under Threat
The Land and Water Conservation Fund, a linchpin for recreation and conservation projects across the U.S., is facing its most serious threat in years.
The President’s FY26 Budget proposal would:
- Eliminate all LWCF projects on public lands
- Undermine the Great American Outdoors Act, which guaranteed $900 million annually for the LWCF
Thankfully, there’s momentum in Congress to push back. The House and Senate Interior Appropriations Committees both recently passed a bill rejecting these cuts. Advocates are calling for Congress to ensure not only new FY26 projects move forward but that FY24 and FY25 projects—already funded—are allowed to proceed without interference.
The “One Big Beautiful Bill”
A massive reconciliation package became law with enormous implications for our public lands and beyond.
The good:
- A proposal by Senator Mike Lee to sell off public lands was defeated.
The bad:
- The law strips $267 million from the National Park Service originally allocated under the Inflation Reduction Act, money desperately needed to rebuild staffing.
- It mandates expanded oil and gas leasing, putting ecologically sensitive areas, including trail corridors, at risk.
- It doubles logging in Western national forests over the next decade.
A Beacon of Hope: The America the Beautiful Act
There is a bright spot amid the darkness. The America the Beautiful Act (S.1547) aims to extend the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund beyond its current sunset in 2025.
This act would continue funding for deferred maintenance projects. With over 1,500 infrastructure projects already underway nationwide—touching every state, Washington, D.C., and many U.S. territories—the LRF has improved or replaced more than 11,000 public lands assets. There is still much more deferred maintenance that needs to be addressed and extending the Legacy Restoration Fund is a no brainer.
What You Can Do During August Recess and Beyond
The August Recess is a prime time to engage directly with lawmakers and their staff while they’re back in their state and districts. This is your chance to:
- Invite your Members of Congress or their staff out on the trail or attend town halls
- Organize a hike, ride, or local event to show the impact of trails on your community
- Share success stories from federally funded trail projects
- Use American Hiking’s advocacy tools to send your Member of Congress a message to fund trails and extend the Legacy Restoration Fund!
