27th Hike the Hill Wraps-Up Advancement of Key Priorities

The beginning of the year may seem like a slower time for hikers who are nestled away inside dreaming of longer and warmer days to get out on the trail. For American Hiking Society’s advocacy efforts it’s the busiest time of the year as we get ready for and host Hike the HillⓇ our annual advocacy event that takes place throughout the first few months of the year! 

For 27 years, AHS has joined with Partnership for the National Trails System to bring trail organizations, advocates, and federal land management partners together. It’s the hiking and trail community’s biggest opportunity of the year to collectively come together and advance our legislative and agency priorities by being face to face with congressional decision makers and agency leadership at the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service. 

This year was no different as we expanded our meetings, met in new venues, and continued to throw an awesome trails celebration at the REI DC Flagship Store!

Together the trails community had over a hundred meetings with congressional offices to advocate for key issues like funding for our nation’s trails, passage of an outdoor recreation package, like the EXPLORE Act and America’s Outdoor Recreation Act, support for equitable access through Transit to Trails and Outdoors for All, and highlighting the impact of short staffing and wildfires on trail managers and users. 

First time participants, like Peggy, and longtime veterans were able to make their voices heard and advance key outdoor recreation, conservation, and public land policy!

We hope you’ll join us at next year’s 28th annual event and throughout the year by taking part in calls to action and other opportunities!