Hike the Hill® 2023

Registration is now open for Hike the Hill® 2023!

Virtual Issue Briefings January 23-27, 2023

In-Person Hike the Hill® in Washington, DC February 12-17, 2023


Hike the Hill® is a joint effort by
American Hiking Society and the Partnership for the National Trails System


Registration Types

In-Person Hike the Hill® + PNTS Board Meeting and Trails Leader Council Meeting (incl. Lunch)- $170

  • Everything under In-Person Hike the Hill® + Sunday (2/12) PNTS Board Meeting and Trails Leader Council Meeting (Lunch Included).

In- Person Hike the Hill® (Sunday Afternoon Sessions + REI Party)- $115

  • Sunday Afternoon Welcome Session and Agency Trail Leads Meeting (Light Refreshments Included)
  • REI Party on Wednesday, February 15 from 5:30-7:30pm (Light Refreshments Included)
  • Hike the Hill® Issue Briefings (Live and Recording Available)
  • Training Session and Resources on Running an Effective Virtual Congressional Meeting
  • Hike the Hill® Branded Advocacy Materials for Congressional Meetings (Talking Points, Fact Sheets, and Leave Behinds)
  • Group meetings with congressional committee and agency staff. (Registration does not guarantee a speaking role in group meetings. Participation may be limited due to capacity, issue focus, or any other reason.) 
  • Individual Congressional Office Meetings (scheduled on your own) as part of the collective Hike the Hill® effort.

Virtual Hike the Hill® Participation ( Virtual Issue Briefings and Virtual Resources ONLY- NO Group Meetings)- $40

  • Hike the Hill® Issue Briefings (Live and Recorded)
  • Training Session and Resources on Running an Effective Virtual Congressional Meeting
  • Hike the Hill® Branded Advocacy Materials for Congressional Meetings (Talking Points, Fact Sheets, and Leave Behinds)
  • No Group Meeting Participation is Available for Virtual Participants
  • Individual registration is not shareable

 

For information on group registration email tray@americanhiking.org. 

Registration is non-refundable after January 12.



Celebrating its 26th year, Hike the Hill® is a joint effort between American Hiking Society and Partnership for the National Trails System to bring together the trails community to advance shared trail priorities with congressional and federal agency leaders including: trails funding, public lands management and conservation, equitable access, and other top priority issues that sustain trails and improve access to public lands.

In 2023 trail partners from across the nation will come together for virtual issue briefings (Week of January 23) and in-person group meetings and Trails Celebration at REI (Week of February 12) to advocate for legislation, learn about new policies, and meet with federal partners, elected officials and their staff, and fellow trail organizations. 

*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. 


Tentative Schedule

January 23-27 : Issue Briefings* 

All Virtual Issue Briefings will be scheduled between 2-5pm EST to the extent possible

(Schedule will be continuously updated as meetings and briefings are confirmed)

 

Planned Briefings:

Briefing: Transportation Opportunities for Trails (Working Title)

Description: TBA

Presenters:

(All briefings will be recorded for future viewing)

 

January 23 (Briefings Scheduled Between 2-5pm EST)

2pm ET 

Briefing: Hike the Hill Welcome Session

Description: This session will be a Welcome Session immediately followed by Congress 101/Preview of the 118th Congress Briefing 

 

2pm ET (Immediately After Welcome Session) Briefing: Congress 101/Preview of 118th Congress

Description: Overview of the new Congress including Republican control of the House of Representative, new committee leadership, and potential legislative focus in 2023.

Presenters: Tyler Ray, Senior Director for Programs and Advocacy, American Hiking Society

January 24 (Briefings Scheduled Between 2- 5pm EST)

2pm ET

Briefing: National Trust for Historic Preservation Legislative Priorities Presentation

Description: TBA

Presenter: Pam Bowman, Senior Director, Public Lands Policy, National Trust for Historic Preservation

 

3pm ET

Briefing: National Park Conservation Association Legislative Priorities Presentation Description: TBA

Presenter: Christina Hazard, Legislative Director, National Park Conservation Association

January 25 (Briefings Scheduled Between 2-5pm EST)

2pm ET

Briefing: Appropriations and Trail Funding Issue Briefing

Description: Learn about the current status of FY24 appropriations for trails and the specific asks to make to congressional offices for trail funding.

Presenters: 

  • Emily Douce, Deputy Vice President for Government Affairs, National Park Conservation Association
  • Tyler Ray, Senior Director for Programs and Advocacy, American Hiking Society
  • Valerie Rupp, Executive Director, Partnership for the National Trails System
  • Mark Larabee, Advocacy Director, Pacific Crest Trail Association

4pm ET

Briefing: Land Acquisition and Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Updates

Description: TBA

Presenters:

  • Amy Lindholm, LWCF Coalition Manager/Northeast Regional Coordinator, Appalachian Mountain Club
  • Brendan Mysliwiec, Director of Federal Policy, Appalachian Trail Conservancy

January 26 (Briefings Scheduled Between 2-5pm EST)

Time: TBD

Briefing: Legislation Impacting the National Historic and Scenic Trails

Description: TBA

Presenters:

January 27 (Briefings Scheduled Between 2-5pm EST)

No briefings scheduled

Pre- Recorded Briefings 


February 12-17:  Group Meetings with Federal Land Management Agencies and Congressional Committees

Important: 

  • Registration does not guarantee participation or a speaking role in group meetings. 
  • Meeting Agendas and Speakers will be set-in pre-meeting planning sessions. 
  • Participation may be limited due to capacity, issue focus, or any other reason.

Planned/Requested Meetings:

Congressional

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Majority and Minority (Invited) Staff

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.

 

House Natural Resources Committee (Minority Staff)

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.

House and Senate Appropriations Committee, Interior Subcommittee (Majority & Minority)

Description: Meeting with House and Senate Appropriations Committee, Interior Subcommittee staff to report on progress we have made over the past year in making trails available and beneficial to Americans and discuss issues critical for trail organization's ability to do our essential part to sustain, protect, and properly develop these public resources for all to use. Meeting will include sharing FY24 requests.

Sunday, February 12 

3pm-5pm ET

Agency Trail Leads Updates

Description: Trail leads from the Forest Service (all trails), National Park Service (National Trails System), and Bureau of Land Management (National Trails System) will provide updates on their agency’s work and plans for 2023. Time for general Q/A provided. 

 

Monday, February 13 

9am ET

Bureau of Land Management Leadership Meeting 

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

Agency Participants: Tracy Stone-Manning, Director

11am ET

USDA Forest Service Leadership with Chief Randy Moore

Description: Meeting with Forest Service leadership on the trails community priorities, including the National Trails System and all Forest Service trails.

Agency Participants: Randy Moore, Chief

1pm ET

National Park Service Leadership

Description: Meeting with NPS Director to discuss trail priorities, including the National Trails System. 

Agency Participants: Charles F. "Chuck" Same

5:30-7:30pm

Trails Celebration at REI DC Flagship Store (Light Refreshments served)

Tuesday, February 14

11am

Senate Appropriations Committee, Interior Subcommittee (Majority)

Description: Meeting with Senate Appropriations Committee, Interior Subcommittee Majority staff to report on progress we have made over the past year in making trails available and beneficial to Americans and discuss issues critical for trail organization's ability to do our essential part to sustain, protect, and properly develop these public resources for all to use. Meeting will include sharing FY24 requests.

Wednesday, February 15 

4pm ET

House Natural Resources Committee (Majority Staff)

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

Thursday, February 16

Ideal time for individual congressional meetings

Friday, February 17

Ideal time for individual congressional meetings


Host Hotel

The Washington Plaza Hotel will continue to serve as the host hotel for Hike the Hill®. A limited room block has been secured for $149/night (Single)/$169/night (Double). 

Room Reservations can be made at this link or by calling the Washington Plaza Hotel directly at 800-424-1140 and reference "Partnership for the National Trails System".

The hotel room block is now full. Rooms may still be available at a higher price directly through Washington Plaza hotel.

If this is your first Hike the Hill®, you haven't attended in a few years, or are looking to return to Washington, DC, we encourage you to join us in 2023!


Please reach out to Tyler Ray, tray@americanhiking.org or Cara Yendrzeski, cara@pnts.org with any questions. 

David Rosehill