A tight state budget means it’s time to show up for trails — here’s how

This week kicks off the 2025 Washington state legislative session. Now through April 27, legislators are working in Olympia to decide funding and policies for our state, including our state’s outdoor areas, specifically lands managed by Washington State Parks, Department of Natural Resources and Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Lake Sylvia State Park. Photo by Staci Dilg.

Each year, WTA advocates for trails during the legislative session and elevates issues important to hikers. We work with elected officials, land management agencies, conservation partners and hikers like you to secure and maintain funding for the outdoors.

We do this work every year, but this session will be especially challenging. The state budget is tighter than we've seen in years, and we know legislators will be making cuts.

Getting outside is essential for Washingtonians’ hearts, minds and bodies. That’s why we are asking you to show up for the trails that sustain us. Join WTA and other hikers in Olympia on March 18, 2025, for our Hiker Rally Day.

Join Hiker Rally Day

You don’t need any experience with state government. All you need is your passion for the outdoors. Tell your representatives that the physical and mental health benefits of getting outside should not be on the chopping block this, or any, year. 

• Check out our Hiker Rally Day frequently asked questions.

• Join WTA’s Trail Action Network for other ways to protect our public lands during the state legislative session and beyond. 

WTA’s top priority this session is continuing funding to fix the maintenance backlog on our state lands and improve public access to these outdoor areas.  

Here are highlights from WTA’s full list of priorities for the 2025 legislative session. (All dollar amounts listed are for a 2-year budget from 2025-2027.) 

Operating budget

Funding to fix the maintenance backlog on our state lands 

Recreating on state lands has never been more popular, yet state land managers have large maintenance backlogs that inhibit public access to the outdoors. Starting in 2022, the legislature began to address this challenge and directed $30 million per biennium in ongoing funding ($5 million per agency annually) to Washington State Parks, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

This investment was made ongoing in the state budget and has made a large impact in restoring trails, restrooms, parking areas, water access points and other critical recreation facilities. This investment has become a significant percentage of each agency’s maintenance spending: 20% for State Parks, 40% for DNR and nearly 50% for WDFW. 

The governor has proposed significant cuts to DNR and WDFW’s maintenance funding. WTA is asking to protect recreation and maintain funding at existing levels: $10 million for each land management agency in the 2-year budget. Regular maintenance of recreation infrastructure supports healthy communities and saves the state money in the long run.  

• Operating vs. capital budget
• --The operating budget covers services and functions of Washington state’s government.
• --The capital budget addresses investments in physical resources, like acquiring lands or building facilities.
• --WTA’s work touches on both, as well as on legislation or policies that affect public lands.

Getting more kids outdoors

WTA is seeking to maintain existing ongoing funding for the No Child Left Inside (NCLI) program, which is administered by the Recreation and Conservation Office in partnership with Washington State Parks. NCLI provides critical matching funds that support outdoor programs for underserved youth.

State and Tribes working together to better manage outdoor recreation

In March 2021, 20 Tribal nations asked Gov. Jay Inslee to establish a working group to assess and address how outdoor recreation impacts Tribal treaty rights. In April 2023, at the invitation of the governor, state and Tribal leaders met and agreed to work together to protect natural and cultural resources across state lands and waters. 

WTA supports proposed budget items that would provide the resources to carry out this work: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife — Invest in Lands Stewardship ($4.384 million in the governor’s proposed budget, Natural Climate Solutions Account) and Washington State Parks — Tribal­ State Lands Stewardship ($724,000 in the governor’s proposed budget).

Bringing state parks into accessibility compliance

ADA Compliance ($770,000 in the governor’s proposed budget, Parks Renewal/Stewardship Account): A legal action in 2023 requires State Parks to reduce the backlog on addressing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issues in state parks. This funding will allow State Parks to begin to address the backlog.

Capital Budget

Improving recreation on Department of Natural Resources lands

Safe and Responsible Recreation ($2.958 million in the governor’s proposed budget): Investments are needed throughout Washington state to improve recreational access. Key projects are at Olsen Creek to install a new bridge at an unsafe creek ford and at the Teanaway Community Forest to continue implementing the West Fork Trails Plan.

Natural Areas Facilities Preservation and Access ($2.93 million in the governor’s proposed budget): Natural areas provide world-class recreation opportunities on Department of Natural Resources lands, including Morning Star, Rattlesnake Mountain, Mount Si and Dishman Hills.

Trust Land Transfer ($19.3 million in the governor’s proposed budget): State trust lands generate revenue through activities like logging and agriculture. For lands that are better suited to recreation or conservation than these activities, the Trust Land Transfer program allows DNR to transfer ownership to another public agency that will manage and protect it for public use — and purchase replacement income-producing lands. 

Critical funding source for hiking trails and walking paths

Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) is a critical funding source for hiking trails and walking paths in Washington state. WTA supports the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board’s request for $150 million. The Recreation and Conservation Office is the state agency that disperses WWRP grants. 

Community Forests support people and the environment

Community Forests provide a mix of benefits to communities, including environmental benefits and opportunities for recreation. We ask for continued investment in these important public lands, proposed at $3.1 million in the governor’s budget.