Get Involved

We need help from hikers like you to protect Washington's trails! By writing a letter, meeting with an elected official, or attending an event, you can help make Washington an even better place to hike.

Here is where you will find all the information you need to become a powerful trail advocate! Read up on the latest and make your voice heard by speaking out for hikers today!

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Tools for Trail Advocates

It's easy to be a trail advocate. And every effort counts! If you're just getting started we have lots of information on this website.

• Join WTA's Trail Action Network - WTA sends timely e-mails about hiker issues. We make it simple to take action by providing a list of talking points and tips, sample text, addresses, and links to more information.

• Write or email your elected officials - Send a handwritten letter or personal email expressing your support for increased wild land protections and hiking opportunities in Washington State.
  Find your elected officials and their contact information.

• Meet with your elected representatives - Face-to-face meetings with your elected officials are great ways to develop relationships and find out what your representatives really think about an issue.  Sometimes being in the room with someone can be just as important as what is said.
  
• Hiker Lobby Day FAQs - Learn the answers to the frequently asked questions about WTA's Hiker Lobby Day.
  

• Call your Members of Congress - Make your voice heard by calling your U.S. representative and senators and letting them know that you care about preservation of wildlands, access to trails and adequate funding for general and emergency maintenance.  Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-225-3121.
  

• Gather trail data while you are hiking - WTA and land managers can't be every where in the backcountry so we depend on hikers to tell us what you see out on trail.  Here are some forms to help report what you see.
  Illegal Motorized Use Reporting Form
  Target shooting Reporting Form

• Write a letter to the editor of your local paper - This is an easy and effective way to educate and persuade a large number of people about hiking and trail issues. 

• Post a comment on an outdoor recreation or environmental blog - Share your thoughts about how a new or proposed policy could affect the hiking community and educate others on how to become involved in the decision-making process. Check out WTA’s Signpost Blog for current threads of conversation and tips on posting compelling blog comments of your own.