Hiker Headlines: Write Your Representative, Latino Conservation Week, Comet, Rainier Q&A

It's July 16. Please write to your House member right now to support the Great American Outdoors Act. Latino Conservation Week kicks off soon. We have some tips on where you can hike to see the comet. And Mount Rainier's superintendent answers some questions about this summer. Here's some news you might have missed while out on trail. 

If you can find a nice dark sky, you may be able to see the comet that is around until the end of the month. Photo by Chris Peckover.

Historic vote set for July 22! We have an update on the Great American Outdoors Act. This landmark legislation that combines 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 maintenance on federal lands — will be brought to a vote on the House floor next Wednesday. The president has already indicated he intends to sign the bill into law if it reaches his desk. That’s why we really need our House members to vote yes. Write to your House member right now. The future of public lands is in our hands.

Latino Conservation Week: Saturday is the beginning of Latino Conservation Week, which highlights the contributions of the Latino community in the outdoor world and works to welcome more folks to explore outside. A number of events are planned throughout the week, and many are digital.

See the comet! A comet called NEOWISE is currently visible in the night sky, below the Big Dipper. If you’d like to see if yourself, we have some ideas for where you can find dark night skies, either on an evening hike or a overnight backpacking trip.

Your Rainier questions answered: How does a national park like Mount Rainier adapt in the time of coronavirus? We sat down (over Zoom) with Chip Jenkins, superintendent of Mount Rainier National Park, to talk about what things will look like this summer and the value of the park's partnership with WTA.

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• 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.