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Schedule of Events

February 9-11 Virtual Issue Briefings

Monday February 9

1:00pm 

Briefing: Hike the HillⓇ Welcome Session

Description: This session will be a Welcome Session to go over plans and schedules for Hike the HillⓇ and welcome participants to the 2026 event. 

Presenters:

• • Courtney Lyons-Garcia, Executive Director, Partnership for the National Trails System

• • Heather Klein Olson, Executive Director, American Hiking Society
  • Candace Mitchell, Director of Operations, American Trails
  • Tyler Ray, Senior Director for Programs and Advocacy, American Hiking Society

• • Nora Kline, Communications Manager, Partnership for the National Trails System

 

3:30pm 

Briefing: Land and Water Conservation Fund Overview and Annual Updates

Description: Updates on LWCF efforts and potential defensive work needed in 2026.

Presenters:

• • Amy Lindholm, Director of Federal Affairs, Conservation Funding, Appalachian Mountain Club and National Coordinator, LWCF Coalition

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Tuesday, February 10 (Briefings Scheduled Between 2-5pm EST)

2:00pm

Briefing: 2026 Congressional and Administration State of Play

Description: 2026 will continue to be a volatile year for congress and the federal government. This session will provide an overview of Congressional priorities in 2026, major pieces of legislation, midterm impacts, and  a forecast of what’s to come for public lands. 

Presenters: 

• • Shawn Swearingen, Director of Government Relations, Public Lands Alliance

 

4pm 

Briefing: Understanding the Annual Appropriations Process and Funding for Trails

Description: This session will cover key funding updates with the recently enacted FY26 funding bills and a preview of what’s to come and trail related funding asks for FY27.

Presenters:

• • Bart Johnsen-Harris, Director of Federal Climate Change Policy, Trust for Public Lands and Leader of the Environmental Appropriations Coalition
  • Tyler Ray, Senior Director for Programs and Advocacy, American Hiking Society
  • Courtney Lyons-Garcia, Executive Director, Partnership for the National Trails System
  • Mark Larabee, Advocacy Director, Pacific Crest Trails Association

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Wednesday, February 11 (Briefings Scheduled Between 2-5pm EST)

1pm EST

Briefing:  Extending the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund to Address the Maintenance Backlog- Key Advocacy Asks and Messaging

Description: Efforts to extend the Legacy Restoration Fund are picking up steam and your voice will be critical to gain support and advance the bill! Hear up to the minute updates and strategy on the efforts to reauthorize and extend the Legacy Restoration Fund to provide billions of dollars in funding to address deferred maintenance across public lands. Initially passed as part of the Great American Outdoors Act, the current authorization expired in 2025. 

Presenters:

• • Emily Douce, Deputy Vice President for Government Affairs, National Parks Conservation Association
  • Dieter Fenkart-Froeschl, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Forest Foundation 
  • Chandler Sam, PNTS Trails Apprentice

 

2:30pm 

Briefing: How Transportation Legislation Impacts Trail Funding and Resources. Current Threats and Opportunities

Description: The surface transportation reauthorization bill that funds key trail programs like the Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails programs is up for reauthorization this year. Potential threats to eliminate or reduce these programs have been floated and the voice of every trail leader is needed to ensure these programs are included in the reauthorization. At the same time the administration is considering undoing decades worth of work on agency Travel Management Rules that guide trail use for all types of users, including motorized and non-motorized. Learn how the greater trails community is coming together on these efforts.

Presenters:

• • Marianne Fowler, Senior Strategist for Policy Advocacy, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

• • Randy Rasmussen, Director, Public Lands & Recreation, Back Country Horsemen of America

• • Duane Taylor, Director of Federal Affairs, Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association

4pm

Briefing: Trail Mix- Learn about priorities from leading trail organizations and how you can help amplify key asks to congress. 

Description: Provide participants overviews, key points, and asks for legislation impacting trails and the National Trails System. 

Presenters:

• • Claire Cutler, Trail Policy Specialist, Continental Divide Trail Coalition
  • Travis Boley, Association Manager, Oregon-California Trail Association
  • Mike Dawson, Partnership for the National Trails System

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Wednesday, February 25 (Briefings Scheduled Between 2-5pm EST)

4:00pm

Briefing: Advocate Locally- Make a National Impact for Trails

Description: Want to learn more about how to advocate locally with congressional staff or other elected offices or in online meetings? This briefing is for you! Learn the key role of in-district advocacy and how local advocacy is a key advocacy tool for engaging at the federal level. Speakers will share resources on how to request meetings with Congress, what a meeting agenda should look like, what are current advocacy priorities for trails communities (including annual funding, staffing, and extending the Legacy Restoration Fund), and other tips and tricks from seasoned advocates. You'll also hear about other opportunities to invite elected officials at any level to events on your trail and regularly share information with them to build a long relationship.

Presenters:

• • Courtney Lyons-Garcia, Executive Director, Partnership for the National Trails System
  • Claire Cutler, Trail Policy Specialist, Continental Divide Trail Coalition

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March 1-5 In-Person Hike the Hill®

1:30pm ET

Registration Opens

Registration will open at 1:30pm ET outside of the auditorium of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library 

Location: 5th Floor Auditorium, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW Washington, DC 20001

 

2pm ET- 3pm ET

Welcome Remarks and Overview of the Week

Location: 5th Floor Auditorium, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW Washington, DC 20001

Overview of Resources and Hike the HillⓇ Introduction 

Description: Overview of Hike the HillⓇ resources and how to maximize your impact. Session designed for both first time participants and returning participants. 

State of Play TODAY

Description: Up to the minute updates on current asks, status of bills, and other time sensitive information you need to know. 

Strategy Session and Info Sharing

Description: This time will be used for organizations to share updates on the impacts on their trails and organizations and share key priorities and concerns. 

 

5:30pm-7:30pm ET

PNTS 25th Anniversary and AHS 50th Anniversary Informal Celebration

Description: Reconnect with old friends and make new ones at an informal celebration at Zaytinya Restaurant by José Andrés. Light Appetizers provided. Plan for dinner on your own after.

Location: Zaytinya, 701 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

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Monday, March 2

9:30am National Park Service Leadership- Acting Director/Comptroller Jessica Bowron

(Meeting Participation Confirmation Required)

Description: Meeting with NPS Acting Director and Comptroller Jessica Bowron to discuss trail priorities and funding, including for the National Trails System. 

Location: Rachel Carson Room (MIB 3004), Department of the Interior, 1849 C. St. NW, Washington, DC 20240

11am National Park Foundation Briefing on Collective Campaign

(Meeting Participation Confirmation Required)

Description: Briefing by the National Park Foundation on the upcoming Collective Campaign. Hear how your organization can get involved. 

Location: Rachel Carson Room (MIB 3004), Department of the Interior, 1849 C. St. NW, Washington, DC 20240

12:00 pm Lunch Provided for those Attending Meetings at the Department of the Interior

Location: Rachel Carson Room (MIB 3004), Department of the Interior, 1849 C. St. NW, Washington, DC 20240

2pm US Forest Service Chief Meeting

(Meeting Participation Confirmation Required)

Description: Meeting with the US Forest Service Chief and National Trail Program Staff to discuss trail priorities including partner funding, staffing, reorganization, pending regulatory proposals, and extending the Legacy Restoration Fund. 

Location: Sidney R. Yates Federal Building, 201 14th St SW, Washington, DC 20227 (Specific Room TBD)

Requested Not Yet Confirmed (Monday or Tuesday)

Bureau of Land Management Leadership Meeting 

(Meeting Participation Confirmation Required)

Description: Meeting with BLM leadership to discuss trail priorities, including the National Trails System. 

Location: Rachel Carson Room (MIB 3004), Department of the Interior, 1849 C. St. NW, Washington, DC 20240

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Tuesday March 3

Good Day for Individual Congressional Meeting

5:30-7:30pm: Trails Celebration at REI DC Flagship Store (Light Refreshments Served)

Description: Join the trails community, federal partners, congressional staff, and partners for a celebration of all things trails at the REI DC!

Location: REI DC Flagship Store

201 M St. NE, Washington, DC

(Across street from NoMA-Gallaudet Metro Station- Red Line)

Wednesday March 4

3:30pm Congressional Trails Briefing

(Briefing Participation By Invite Only Due to Room Capacity)

Description: This Congressional Briefing hosted by Rep. Randall (D-WA) will provide congressional staff with an overview of the importance of trails and trail organizations in their community and the many benefits trails provide, including economic. Due to the room capacity, participation will be limited to congressional staff and invited guests only. Should capacity open up, Hike the Hill participants will be notified. 

Location: 2043 Rayburn House Office Building 

Not Yet Scheduled

Requested for Wednesday March 4

Congressional committee group meetings

House Natural Resources Committee (Majority Staff)

(Meeting Participation Confirmation Required)

Description: Meeting with House Natural Resources Committee, Public Lands Subcommittee staff to discuss new trail designations, staffing and capacity issues of federal land managers, and other relevant legislation and issues.

Location: 1334 Longworth House Office Building, 1 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC 2000

House Natural Resources Committee (Minority Staff)

(Meeting Participation Confirmation Required)

Description: Meeting with House Natural Resources Committee, Public Lands Subcommittee staff to discuss new trail designations, staffing and capacity issues of federal land managers, and other relevant legislation and issues.

Location: 186/190 (Adjoining rooms) Ford House Office Building, 2nd St SW, D St SW, Washington, DC 20024

 

Senate Interior Appropriations Committee (Majority and Minority Staff)

(Meeting Participation Confirmation Required)

Description: Meeting with Majority and Minority committee staff to discuss FY25 and FY26 funding.

Location:124 Dirksen Senate Office Building, 50 Constitution Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

 

Senate Energy and Natural Resources (Majority and Minority Staff)

(Meeting Participation Confirmation Required)

Description: Meeting with Majority and Minority  committee staff to discuss new trail designations, staffing and capacity issues of federal land managers, and other relevant legislation and issues.

Location:366 Dirksen Senate Office Building, 50 Constitution Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

 

House Interior Appropriations Committee (Majority and Minority Staff)

(Meeting Participation Confirmation Required)

Description: Meeting with Majority and Minority committee staff to discuss federal funding freezes, staffing challenges, and FY25 and FY26 funding.

Location: 2007 Rayburn House Office Building, 45 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20515

 

*Registration does not guarantee a speaking role or attendance in group meetings. Participation may be limited due to capacity, issue focus, or any other reason.