Washington Trails Association Strategic Plan | 2021-2025
Sauk Mountain Trail Photo by Chris Fabregas
We envision a future where there are trails for everyone, forever. We know that Washington’s passionate hikers and outdoor enthusiasts can make this vision a reality when they work together. At WTA, our mission is to give them that opportunity.
The Power of WTA
Washington Trails Association is the catalyst for hikers to make a difference. Fremont Lookout, Mount Rainier National Park Photo by Maya Watkins
For more than 50 years, WTA has helped people explore nature, give back to trails and speak up for
public lands and hikers at all levels. WTA inspires people to go outside — giving them the skills and knowledge they need to recreate safely and sustainably. WTA helps hikers share their knowledge of trails with others so that they too can find joy outside. WTA motivates thousands to give back to trails and public lands, to reduce barriers, and expand opportunities to explore the great outdoors. Our strong reputation in the outdoor recreation industry and long history of engaging hikers uniquely positions us to lead a comprehensive approach to the long-term health and success of Washington’s recreation landscape. By mobilizing everyone who cares about Washington’s trails and public lands and to work toward holistic and creative solutions, we will unleash the power of the hikers to ensure trails— and the nature they connect us to — last for generations and can be enjoyed by all.
We believe in the power of trails.
Exploring nature is good for our hearts, minds and bodies, and hiking is a powerful way to connect with nature’s wonders. The challenges of 2020 made clear that time outdoors is essential for our mental and physical well-being. At Washington Trails Association, we believe
everyone should have opportunities to enjoy the many benefits of hiking and trails. Unfortunately, decades of declining public investment have left our trails more strained than ever before. Backcountry trails are disappearing, popular trails cannot support the growing number of hikers, and many urban communities lack easy access to nature. Moreover, hiking and trails are not enjoyed equitably across individuals and communities. Significant barriers prevent many people from enjoying the many benefits of time in nature. At WTA, we believe hikers can change the future of trails.
We believe in the power of hikers. Blessed with incredible natural beauty and an increasing awareness of the benefits of hiking, the number of hikers in Washington state has grown significantly, more than doubling in the last decade alone and reaching record numbers in 2020. We know people protect the places they love—from local parks to remote wilderness— and we believe the growing numbers of trail users will be a powerful force for change. When mobilized around a shared love of trails and provided with strategic opportunities, passionate people and inclusive organizations will shape Washington’s outdoor future.
The Power of WTA
The Power of WTA As the nation’s leading nonprofit by and for hikers, WTA brings together a community of 25,000 members, 5,000 volunteers and more than 500,000 online users. The strength of our community—along with 50 years at the forefront of trail issues —gives us a unique ability to work at all levels to advance durable solutions. No other organization in Washington spans all the roles needed to create a sustainable future for trails and public lands— from strategic innovator, to partnership broker, to driver of on-the-ground impact.
Olympic National Forest Photo by Aaron Wilson
The roles we play:
Our aim in each role:
Thought leader & trailblazer. We identify risks facing Washington’s hikers and trails, drive statewide vision and direction, and develop innovative solutions.
Be Washington’s leading voice on priority issues for hikers.
Keystone advocate. We bring the full range of partners together to set priorities and push for lasting solutions
Bring broad coalitions of partners together to advance durable, collaborative solutions.
Catalyst for leaders and communities. We lift up and invest in our community partners and outdoor leaders, current and future.
Accelerate the work of others and strengthen the hiking community.
Trusted resource. We make it easy for people to explore the outdoors by providing reliable hiking and trail information and creating a space for hikers to share their trail knowledge.
Help everyone who wants to get outside explore trails safely and responsibly.
Conduit for stewards and champions. We inspire hikers and everyone who loves the outdoors to join together to create trails for everyone, forever.
Motivate thousands to give back in meaningful ways that have the biggest impact for trails and public lands.
From Vision
Trails for Everyone, Forever We envision a future where everyone who seeks nature’s splendor can quickly find themselves outdoors. A future where abundant and high-quality trails are treasured and protected by all. A future where everyone can feel welcome in the outdoors and included in Washington’s hiking community. We call this long-term vision Trails for Everyone, Forever
Pratt River Connector Trail Photo by Carolyn Bookholt
Goals
For Everyone
Trails Forever
All Washington hikers enjoy the benefits of nature. Everyone feels welcome and included in the outdoors and has ample opportunities to enhance their wellbeing through time on trail. Washington’s vibrant hiking community is actively engaged in maintaining the future of the places they love.
Washington’s trails stand the test of time . High-quality trails connect people to the outdoors, from everyday explorations to backcountry adventures.
Outcomes
Public Support
Hikers and non-hikers alike value and support trails and public lands.
Investment
Sustainable funding provides ongoing support for trails and public lands.
Availability
A robust network of backcountry, frontcountry and urban trails meet hiker needs.
Public Engagement
Hikers, land managers and communities come together to steward and champion trails and public lands.
Equitable Access
Barriers don’t stand in the way of anyone being able to use and enjoy trails and public lands.
Positive Trail Experiences
Everyone feels welcome on trails and can find the hiking experience they are looking for.
To Reality Over the next five years, WTA will advance our vision of Trails for Everyone, Forever through four strategic campaigns that bring together the full breadth of WTA’s community, roles and programs to solve the biggest challenges facing Washington’s trails and hikers.
Our Impact
Backcountry trail access is increasing every year.
Washington’s trails are supported by long-term, dedicated funding.
WTA and our community are the driving force in building a better future for trails and hikers.
More and more neighborhoods have places to connect with nature.
New communities and generations discover the outdoors every day.
Our Campaigns
Lost Trails Found
Putting backcountry trails back on the map.
Trails Rebooted Supporting popular trails at every turn.
Trails for Everyone
The Trail Next Door
Building community and deepening connections to nature.
Ensuring nature is always in reach.
Our Programs
Advocacy
Building strong coalitions and advocating for innovative policies that advance trail system priorities.
Communications
Providing trusted hiking information and building a hiking community that actively gives back to the trails they love.
Community & Leadership Development
Trail Maintenance
Investing in future outdoor leaders, creating equitable opportunities for people to discover nature, and building strong community partnerships.
Building and maintaining Washington’s trails through community engagement and strong public land agency partnerships.
Our Roles
Thought Leader & Trailblazer
Keystone Advocate
Catalyst of Leaders & Communities
Trusted Resource
Our Mission
Mobilizing our community to explore, steward and champion trails and public lands.
Our Community
Hikers and everyone who loves the outdoors.
Conduit for Stewards & Champions
Our Campaigns Mt. Baker, North Cascades Photo by Erika Haugen-Goodman
Lost Trails Found Putting backcountry trails back on the map
Budget declines and increasingly extreme winters and fire seasons have undermined land managers’ ability to keep backcountry trails open. Miles of trails that lead hikers to Washington’s wild and remote landscapes are neglected and trails have been, or are at risk of, being lost.
Our approach WTA will bring together a statewide coalition of public land agencies and trail organizations that come together annually to identify, fund and execute backcountry trail maintenance priorities resulting in increased and sustainable backcountry access.
By 2025 • Backcountry trail access is increasing every year. • 100 lost and at-risk trails and 3 signature backcountry networks have been restored and reimagined.
Pacific Crest Trail | Glacier Peak Wilderness Photo by Leslie Schaaf
Our work Strengthening backcountry investment: WTA has joined forces with the U.S. Forest Service to advocate for reconstruction of the Milk Creek Trail Bridge, an important access point to the remote Glacier Peak Wilderness and the Pacific Crest Trail. Once the bridge is replaced WTA will lead trail restoration efforts so that the Milk Creek trail is back on the map.
Spray Park, Mount Rainier National Park Photo by Seth Halleran
Trails Rebooted Supporting popular trails at every turn
Booming demand and underinvestment have strained Washington’s frontcountry trail system, dampening hiker experiences and putting our most-used trails at risk.
Our approach WTA will work with state and local partners to advance a shared vision for highly-used trail systems that can meet the demand of the future and continue to offer positive hiking experiences. We will also work with our community to promote hiking best practices and great alternatives to the most popular trails.
By 2025 • Washington’s trails are supported by long-term, dedicated funding. • Washington’s 100 iconic trails — and their nearby alternatives — are getting annual attention and investment. • 5 close-in trail networks are expanding to meet growing hiker demand.
Washington Trails Day outreach at Lake Twenty-Two trailhead
Our work Expanding frontcountry availability: In partnership with the Mt. BakerSnoqualmie National Forest, WTA is leading a trail visioning and planning process to expand and promote trails along the Mountain Loop highway in Snohomish County, one of the fastestgrowing counties in America.
Our Campaigns
Discovery Park, Seattle Photo by Erika Haugen-Goodman
The Trail Next Door
Ensuring nature is always in reach
Urban trails and green spaces can provide the easiest access to nature for whole communities, enriching people’s health and wellbeing. However, not all communities have the same access to nature close to home.
Our approach WTA will bring state, county and municipal partners together to increase funding for urban green spaces and to create new urban trails, working with local communities to drive trail planning, design and creation.
By 2025 • More and more neighborhoods have places to connect with nature. • 100 trails and 5 new green spaces are being built that connect underserved communities to the outdoors.
Grand Ridge trail work party Photo by Emma Cassidy
Our work Fostering county and community engagement: Working with King County, WTA is spearheading an effort to develop an unused five-acre natural area just south of Seattle, known locally as the Glendale Forest, into an inviting and active green space. Following planning, WTA will work with the County and local community to secure funding and mobilize volunteers to build out the trail system.
Trails for Everyone
Photo by Brian Koning
Building community and deepening connections to nature We believe that nature is beneficial for everyone, but we also know that Washington’s outdoor spaces are not as safe or inclusive as they should be, and that social inequities prevent many people from benefiting from connections to nature.
Our approach WTA will bring together partners across the recreation community to create more equitable opportunities to get outside and to foster an inclusive hiking community where people of all identities and abilities feel welcome and encouraged to explore, steward and champion trails and public lands.
By 2025 • New communities and generations discover the outdoors every day. • 200 community organizations and 7,000 youth explore trails with the help of WTA. • 5,000 trail champions come to WTA each year to create a better future for trails and hikers.
Seattle Gear Library Photo by Teddy Wingo
Our work Building equitable access: WTA’s Outdoor Leadership Training (OLT) program and gear lending library have helped leaders of community organizations get thousands of youth outdoors, many of them for the first time. In 2021, WTA will be expanding our programming in the South Puget Sound, including opening a satellite gear lending library in Tacoma.
The Next 5 years
Together, WTA and hikers can create Trails for Everyone, Forever.
Pinnacle Peak, Mount Rainier National Park Photo by Danarae Vasquez
Over the next 5 years, this plan will be our north star, guiding our work and impact. We will achieve our goals by bringing together the full weight of WTA’s expertise and our community, and by grounding our work in four foundational principles: • Diversity, equity and inclusion are essential for fostering a strong organization and vibrant hiking community. • A holistic approach to Washington’s trail system and community will help us find creative solutions that achieve maximum impact. • Partnership and collaboration help us go farther and faster, ensuring everyone has a stake in the future of Washington’s trails. • Fun is an important part of our work because hiking brings us joy and we want to share it in all we do. Hoh Rainforest Photo by Keith LaPlante