Hiker Headlines: Act Now for Public Lands, Coronavirus, Online Events

It's July 9. If you act now, you can help public lands get vital funding for years to come. WTA joined partners for an exciting talk about the value of time outside, and how we can help more people enjoy time in nature. Coronavirus continues to disrupt some outdoors services. And we have ideas for a few — remote — events to celebrate the outdoors. Here's some news you might have missed while out on trail this week. 

A bill that is currently in Congress would be a game changer for public lands. Write your representative today to ask them to support the Great American Outdoors Act. Photo by Gretchen Walla.

Act now — make history for public lands: Two pieces of legislation that WTA has long advocated for — full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and funding to address the backlog of maintenance on federal lands — recently passed the Senate and are now moving on to the House. The two pieces of legislation were folded into one historic bill, the Great American Outdoors Act, earlier this year. This bill could have huge, positive impacts for public lands, and we need your help to make it a reality. We need you to write to your House member right now to make sure they vote yes on this landmark legislation for public lands.

The benefits of time outside: Earlier this week, WTA joined our partners with GirlTrek and the USFS PNW Research Station to talk about trails, health and inclusive outdoors spaces. The presentation discusses what we all learned together about the power of time outside and what barriers keep people from spending time in nature. We plan to use the results from our time together to inform our work to make trails for everyone, forever. 

Stehekin services: Transportation services are suspended in Stehekin in response to COVID-19. That includes the hiker shuttle and Rainbow Falls Tour. People can still visit, but must walk or find other means of transportation. 

A Celebration of Black Folks: Sundae Sermon, an online series to celebrate the summer, outdoors and Black folks kicks off this weekend. Golden Bricks Events is producing this series in partnership with Washington State Parks. It will highlight various state parks and include musical performances, outdoors tips and showcase local art, businesses and community leaders. All are welcome, but the event is intentionally centered on Black people in the Northwest. Free.

Celebrate National Forest Week: Join the National Forest Foundation and U.S. Forest Service in celebrating National Forest Week from July 13-19.  Check out the website for daily remote events from national forests all over the country. Events include a live forest meditation, a naturalist chat and a gourmet s’mores cook-along.

BE IN THE KNOW

• Keep up to date with Trail News, our monthly email newsletter. 
• Check our Hiking Guide for information on what trails are open. 
• Check trip reports for latest conditions on trails. And if you go for a hike, file your own trip report.
• Sign up for Families Go Hiking, our email newsletter for families with plenty of tips on keeping kids busy.