Support DNR Trail Stewards

On Wednesday, January 30th more than 50 hikers and backcountry horse folk came together in Olympia to meet with their state legislators on WTA's second annual Hiker Lobby Day.

The Gothic Basin Trail, located in the Morningstar Natural Resource Conservation Area, is one of the many trails that could benefit from Trail Stewards. Photo by Randall Hodges.

This crowd of exuberant outdoors- people made the rounds, meeting their representatives and senators, asking them to make an investment in Washington’s public lands and recreational future.  The issue of the day was getting $800,000 added to the supplemental operating budget for Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Trail Stewards.  Now that the political groundwork has been laid, we need to keep the momentum going if we are to secure funding for this important position.

Background

Last year Governor Gregoire requested a $2.4 million increase to the Operation Budget to fund Department of Natural Resources (DNR) trails projects.  These funds support a wide variety of projects, such as trail signage and trailhead work.  Most importantly, these dollars would have funded a statewide network of trail stewards on 13 DNR landscapes, such as Mount Si and Mount Pilchuck. While the last legislative session saw gains in DNR’s capital budget, the trail steward program was not included. 

As the popularity of state lands increases with hikers, it is more important than ever that the state invest in protecting and promoting these wildlands and trails.  That is why Washington Trails Association is working to add $800,000 to the State Operating Budget to hire DNR Trail Stewards.  Trail stewards would help preserve DNR lands through enforcement and trail maintenance coordination.

Role of Trail Stewards

• Serve as boots-on-the-ground enforcement and education staff on DNR landscapes, ensuring that trail users would have the best and most up-to-date information on how to recreate in a way that preserves Department resources and lands,
• Be on hand to survey and report on trail conditions, 
• Function as a point person for statewide DNR staff in their planning work, and 
• Coordinate with volunteer organizations such as Washington Trails Association to develop and facilitate trail maintenance projects.
  

Washington Trails Association and other volunteer groups can deliver an hour of trail maintenance for about ¼ the cost of a private contractor.  This initial investment will pay off dramatically as DNR leverages volunteer labor in a more intensive fashion.

What You Can Do

Hikers need to continue to contact their state legislators and tell them to support this important investment in Washington’s trails. Call, write, or email them and encourage them to help secure funding for trail stewards added to the supplemental operating budget for DNR.

To find out who your representatives are and get their contact information, just click here.