Advocacy
Hike the Hill® — We Go Further as a Community
As an active outdoor volunteer I have seen the amount of maintenance and funding needed to keep trails in top condition and sustainably maintained for many years to come. Championing for more trail funding and protection of our public lands led me to advocacy.
Read MoreAHS Leads Trail Community Efforts for Increased Federal Funding for Trails!
Year-round, AHS leads the trails community in coming together to call on Congress to fund our nation’s trails through annual appropriations. The timely and adequate funding of the government is essential in ensuring public lands and trails have the resources required to provide the recreation, health and wellness, economic, and multitude of other benefits that these places provide. Thankfully, we finally have a year-long funding bill that has become law!
Read MoreFY23 Trail Funding Public Witness Testimony of American Hiking Society, on behalf of Trails Community (House)
FY23 Trails Funding Testimony of: Kathryn Van Waes, PhD., Executive Director, American Hiking Society and with the full support of American Trails, American Motorcyclist Association, Back Country Horsemen of America, International Mountain Bicycling Association, National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Read More25th Annual Hike the Hill Brings Together Hiking and Trails Community for Collective Advocacy
Over 120 hikers and trail advocates from across the country came together this month for the 25th Annual Hike the HillⓇ advocacy event. This annual event, celebrating its 25th year, co-hosted by American Hiking Society and Partnership for the National Trails System brings together hikers, leaders of the National Trails System and the trails community writ large and next gen advocates to collectively advocate for shared priorities of the trails system before congress and federal agency leaders.
Read MoreTransit to Trails Act- Take Action
Underserved communities across the country don’t have access to outdoor spaces. Transportation to our public lands and open spaces are one barrier that prevent many from accessing all the benefits trails and green spaces provide. Removing barriers and increasing access for urban and rural areas is critical. The Transit to Trails Act can provide a crucial transportation option to and from trail heads!
Read MoreTrails Community Recommendations for FY22 Appropriations Conference
On behalf of the millions of diverse trail users our collective organizations represent, we thank the Senate and House Appropriation Committees for meeting with and responding to our request for prioritizing trail inclusive funding in the FY22 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations legislation. As discussions between the House and Senate are underway to reconcile the legislation for final passage, and enactment, we request that final legislation include the preferred funding levels and report language outlined below.
Read MoreAmerican Hiking Society Statement for Senate Energy and Natural Resources Outdoor Recreation Legislation Hearing 12-2-21
On behalf of American Hiking Society and the 57 million strong hiking community who enjoy the trails and green spaces in their communities, we write in support of the following legislation under consideration by the committee which will support hikers, trails, public lands, and the outdoors by expanding equitable outdoor access.
S. 2887, Outdoors for All Act
S. 1269 Environmental Justice in Recreation Permitting Act
S. 1229 Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act (SOAR Act)
S. 2258 Parks, Jobs, and Equity Act