Each February, advocates from the Partnership for the National Trails System, American Hiking Society and the member organizations and affiliates who represent our 30 national scenic and historic trails assemble in Washington DC to Hike the Hill.
This year, the Pacific Northwest Trail Association was represented by Executive Director, Jeff Kish and Senior Consultant, Mike Dawson, who visited the 6 Senate offices and 14 House offices that represent the states of Montana, Idaho, and Washington, as well as the headquarters of the US Forest Service and National Park Service.
PNTA representatives demonstrated the organization’s power to leverage volunteerism and private support to exponentially increase the federal return on investment in the Pacific Northwest Trail, while showcasing the strength and recent successes that the PNTA has brought to the public/private partnerships.
In meetings with Forest Service Leadership and Secretary of Agriculture’s staff, PNTA representatives made the case for swift action on seating the next Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail Advisory Committee.
In a meeting with the House Appropriations Committee, Executive Director Jeff Kish provided testimony on the successful implementation of programs funded through annual trails appropriations and the Great American Outdoors Act.
In a meeting with the House Natural Resources Committee, Jeff spoke about new national trail designations, and the enduring commitment that congress must make to ensure their success.
Association representatives also advocated for stronger partnerships and key programs and legislation impacting the future development of the PNT by supporting…
- Robust funding for trails and agency staffing levels in FY24 Appropriations
- Passage of the Continental Divide Completion Act —which would build up the necessary mechanisms within the Forest Service to complete trail wide acquisition programs just in time for the PNT acquisition work to begin in earnest.
PNTS partner organizations meet with the Chief of the Forest Service, Randy Moore, at the 26th Annual Hike the Hill event.