2022 National Trails Day^® Community Grant Impacts

Yadi Rocha

In 2022, American Hiking Society, with support from the U.S. Forest Service, launched the first-of-its-kind National Trails Day^® Community Grants. Designed to reduce barriers for underrepresented communities in the outdoors, these grants provided resources to organize meaningful events in celebration of the 30th annual American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day^®.

Dozens of well-deserving individuals and organizations from across the country applied for funding for events organized by underrepresented communities, affinity groups, or clubs in the outdoors to support an in-person event for National Trails Day^® at a National Forest or National Grassland site. Funding was designated for transportation costs, hands-on materials, stewardship supplies, gear library products, food, event promotion, and any other materials needed for a full trail experience.

The 2022 grant recipients include:

Ruth Rosas and Ismael Cuevas

Huron-Manistee National Forest

Black and Brown Chicagoans with limited exposure to biking and camping joined a trip to Huron-Manistee National Forest. The group biked 60 miles from Chicago to Michigan where they camped for two nights.

On National Trails Day®, the group enjoyed all that the trails in Huron-Manistee National Forest had to offer on a group hike, and they helped leave the trail and the outdoor community better than they found them.

Photos and Video by Alejandro Ruiz Rosales

Group photo of everyone with their bikes in front of a gas station

Two trip participants pose for a photo wearing their "Leave it Better" black trucker hats

A person in a bike helmet holds up two fingers in a peace sign on both hands

A participant holds their arms wide open and poses for a photo

two participants prep a meal by chopping veggies at a picnic table

A participant cooks beacon on an open fire

Trip participants take a group photo infront of the Huron-Manistee National Forest sign

We’re Out Here

Cleveland National Forest

Queer BIPOC folks in Orange Country were invited to join a nature walk in Black Star Canyon in Cleveland National Forest. Led by queer, Latinx naturalists Michelle and Tatiana. This low-intensity, mostly flat walk was designed for all bodies and abilities, and no previous hiking experience was needed. During the nature walk, participants met fellow queer BIPOC nature lovers, and along the way, observed and connected with native plants and birds, and even learned about how the surrounding mountains used to be under the ocean just a few million years ago. Event leaders discussed the presence of the Indigenous peoples whose land they were guests on, and how they can respect and protect the land for generations to come.

"We were able to provide free round-trip transportation to the National Forest from Downtown Santa Ana, and over 20 of us came together and hiked through Black Star Canyon together.

Photos by Yadi Rocha.

Large group photo with trees and a blue sky in the background

Event participants wear masks in the bus on the way to the trailhead

Event participant wears a wide brim hat and a mask and holds up the two finger peace sign in a sunny desert scene

One of the hike leaders points into the air while speaking in front of a sunny desert hillside

Two hikers faceing away from the camera wear floppy wide brim hats and matching purple packs while hiking and holding hands

A hike participant smiles while gazying off towards somew shaddy tree.

Two hikers with packs and sun glasses smile for the camera while pausing in a shady section of trail

A diverse group of participants smile while they circle up in a shady section of the trail

A group of participants cheer with drinks in hand while standing in the sun with a blue sky and desert hills in the background.

Khmer Community of Seattle King County

Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Members of the Khmer community in King County, WA came together for a multigenerational community picnic near Annette Lake followed by a student-led interpretive group hike. The local ranger district organized a trail maintenance project. The event helped unite the community elders with the youth in a shared immersive outdoor experience rooted in tradition and connection to the natural world.

Khmer community members detailed their experience celebrating National Trails Day®, saying, “We brought together 50 elders & youth in the community for a picnic together by the river and of course, we brought our speakers, mics, and Romvong music.”

Photos and Video by Vannra Yan.

A large group enjoys a picnic with plates spread out across a blanket

Event participant poses for the camera while standing on the banks of a rocky river.

A forest service employee speaks while a young event participant in a wide brim hat looks into the camera

a group of youth stand in the shade of a giant evergreen tree

Event participant uses loppers to trim back a tree branch along the trail

Two participants crouch down on the trail while they work one the endge of the trail

Volunteer in a sunny spot uses a McCloed to groom trail tread

Group of participants pose in a line at the edge of a rocky river

Nature Niños New Mexico

Cibola National Forest

Comprised of an interactive story time and a guided hike, this event featured multiple interactive stories and offer a variety of hikes based on family needs and abilities.

"Not only were we able to bring families in Albuquerque together but we were able to serve our friends from ASLA Honey Badger Conservation Crew and Albuquerque Sign Language Academy with ASL interpretation for our storytelling with Story Connections." - Nature Niños New Mexico.

Photos by Tibbany Ho