Partnership for the National Trails System

Register for Hike the Hill® 2022

Virtual Issue Briefings January 24–28

Virtual Group Meetings February 14–18

Celebrating its 25th year, Hike the Hill® is a joint effort between American Hiking Society and Partnership for the National Trails System to bring together the trails community to advance shared trail priorities with congressional and federal agency leaders including: trails funding, public lands management and conservation, equitable access, and other top priority issues that sustain trails and improve access to public lands.

In 2022, due to the continuing impact of COVID-19, trail partners from across the nation will come together for virtual briefings and group meetings to advocate for legislation, learn about new policies, and meet with federal partners, elected officials and their staff, and fellow trail organizations. Participants that wish to meet with their congressional representatives in-person may do so at their own discretion.

If this is your first Hike the Hill®, you haven’t attended in a few years, or haven’t been able to travel to DC, we encourage you to join us in 2022 in this virtual format. We’re pleased to provide a special discount for first-time participants – more information is available here.

Please contact Tyler Ray, tray@americanhiking.org or Cara Yendrzeski, cara@pnts.org with questions.

Federal Partners DO NOT need to register. Meeting information will be provided to agency trail leads.

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Registration Information

Fees

Regular registration: $75 pp

First-time participants: $50 pp

What’s Included with Registration

Hike the Hill® Issue Briefings (Live and Recorded)
Training Session and Resources on Running an Effective Virtual Congressional Meeting
Hike the Hill® Branded Advocacy Materials for Congressional Meetings (Talking Points, Fact Sheets, and Leave Behinds)
Virtual Social Hour to connect with other Trail Organizations, DC partners, and others.
Individual Congressional Office Meetings (scheduled on your own) as part of the collective Hike the Hill® effort.
A Virtual Meeting Guide is provided after registering to help you schedule and plan your meetings.
Group meetings with congressional committee and agency staff. (Note that registration does not guarantee a speaking role in group meetings. Participation may be limited due to capacity, issue focus, or any other reason.)

Limited complimentary registration for those with financial barriers to participation in Hike the Hill® may be available. Please contact tray@americanhiking.org for additional information.

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Tentative Schedule

All briefings and meetings will be scheduled between 2–5 PM EST to the extent possible. A detailed schedule will be provided to registered participants.

Issue Briefings

January 24–28, 2022

Issue Briefings To Be Schedule and Pre-Recorded

Messaging Trails (To Be Scheduled)
Congress 101 (Pre-Recorded)
Zoom 101 Training (Pre-Recorded)

Scheduled Issue Briefings Planned

January 24

2:00–3:15 PM EST—Hike the Hill® Welcome Session AND Appropriations and Trails Funding Issue Briefing
- Description: This session will be a Welcome Session immediately followed by the Appropriations and Trail Funding Issue Briefing.
- Welcome Session: Welcome by American Hiking Society and the Partnership of the National Trails System and overview of Hike the HillⓇ 2022. Presented by Kate Van Waes, American Hiking Society; Tyler Ray, American Hiking Society; and, Valerie Rupp, Partnership for the National Trails System
- Appropriations and Trail Funding Issue Briefing: Learn about the current status of FY22 and FY23 appropriations for trails and the specific asks to make to congressional offices for trail funding. Presented by Mark Larabee, Pacific Crest Trail Association; Tyler Ray, American Hiking Society; and, Valerie Rupp, Partnership for the National Trails System.

January 25

2:00–3:00 PM EST—Administration Priorities and Trails Issue Briefing
- Description: Learn how trails can play a role in key Administration priorities, including 30×30, America the Beautiful, and Build Back Better. Presented by Amy Lindholm, LWCF Coalition and Brendan Mysliwiec, Appalachian Trail Conservancy

January 26

3:00–4:00 PM EST—Trails Legislation Issue Briefing
- Description: Learn from experts on the top trails legislation asks to share in your congressional meetings. Legislation discussed will include:
  - Transit to Trails Act
  - Outdoors for All Act
  - Continental Divide Trail Completion Act
  - National Scenic Trail Parity Act
  - Recreational Trails Program Funding and Reauthorization
  - Connecting America’s Active Transportation System Act
- Presenting on the Transit to Trails Act and the Outdoors for All Act: Tara Brown, The Wilderness Society;
- Presenting on the Continental Divide Trail Completion Act: Luke Fisher, Continental Divide Trails Coalition;
- Presenting on the Recreational Trails Program and the Connecting America’s Active Transportation System Act: Marianne Fowler, Rails to Trails Conservancy; and,
- Presenting on the National Scenic Trail Parity Act: Mike Wollmer, Ice Age Trail Alliance

Group Meetings

February 14–18, 2022

Meetings to be Requested/Confirmed

Office of Management and Budget
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (Majority and Minority Staff)
House Natural Resources Committee (Majority)
House Natural Resources Committee (Minority)
Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee (Majority and Minority)
House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee (Majority and Minority)

Meetings Confirmed to Date

February 14

3:00–5:00 PM EST—Agency Trail Leads Updates and Breakout Sessions with Agency Trail Administrators
5:30 PM EST—Social Hour

February 15

2:00–3:00 PM EST—Bureau of Land Management Leadership Meeting

February 16

2:00–3:00 PM EST—USDA Forest Service Leadership Meeting, including Chief Randy Moore
4:00–5:00 PM EST—National Park Service

February 17 (Meetings Scheduled Between 2–5 PM EST)

February 18 (Meetings Scheduled Between 2–5 PM EST)