Hiker Headlines: 2 Chances to Use Your Voice, Creating Virtual Community, Clever Trip Reporters

It's April 16. Snohomish County Parks wants to hear from you. You can now share your opinion with the federal government on how you feel about e-bikes in national park. And even though we can't be in the same place, the WTA community is showing that it doesn't mean we have to be alone. Here's some new you might have missed this week. 

Old Robe Canyon is a Snohomish County Parks property. If you use Snohomish County Parks, the agency would like to hear from you. Photo by Eunice Lin. 

Help plan for the future: Snohomish County is thinking long term about how to best serve the people who use Snohomish County park facilities, green spaces and trails. As a hiker, your input is critical in shaping the future of these parks. By taking the survey, you are helping park planners by helping decide where to focus their efforts and resources.

Speak up about e-bikes in national parks: Last year, the Department of Interior decided to allow e-bikes on any national park trails where non-motorized traditional bikes are currently allowed. Based on public feedback, they have opened a 60-day comment period to reevaluate this decision. The comment period closes on June 9.

Staying connected while apart: We love our WTA community so much. While we can’t be physically together, we’ve been making use of other ways to keep in touch. In the Southwest region, volunteers are living up to WTA’s nickname of “We Talk A lot” with weekly video calls. And our youth ambassadors are keeping in touch the same way. We working to add more of these events across the state soon.

Keep it local: As usual, WTA trip reporters are sharing timely, useful and entertaining information. While remote trails aren’t possible, trip reporters and finding and sharing the joy in their own yards or neighborhoods. Check in for updates on the hike to the trailhead (“excellent condition”) and the available water sources (“didn’t have the gear to access them.”)

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