Connect

Hike the Hill 2022 presented by the American Hiking Society and the Partnership for the National Trails System. Image features a blue panel with the Hike the Hill logo in the foreground and images of the capitol and a mountain range in the background.

Hike the Hill® 2022 was a success.

Thanks to all who joined us in advocating for trails!

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.


Registration Information

Fees

Regular registration: $75.   First-time participants: $50

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.

Register Now

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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

*All briefing recordings are now available.

  • Congress 101 (Pre-Recorded and Available Soon)
  • Zoom 101 Training (Pre-Recorded and Available Now)

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

January 27

  • 2:00–3:00 PM EST—Messaging Trails
    • Description: Learn from experts on how to message trails to different congressional offices and the districts and areas they represent. Topics will include economic transformation; justice, equity, and benefits to marginalized communities; health benefits; and transportation planning benefits.Presenters:
      • Mike Passo, Executive Director, American Trails
      • Brooke Goudy, Co-Leader, Black Girls Do Bike (BGDB)
      • Britt Storck, Principal, Alta Planning
      • Marie Walker, Chief Operating Officer, The Corps Network/American Trails Board Member
      • Duane Taylor, Executive Director, National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NHOVCC)
      • Chas Robles, Corps Director, Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps
Group Meetings
February 14–18, 2022

Meetings Confirmed to Date

February 14 

  • 3:00–5:00 PM EST—Agency Trail Leads Updates with Agency Trail Administrators
    • Description: Trail leads from the Forest Service (all trails), National Park Service (National Trails System), and Bureau of Land Management (National Trails System) will provide updates on their agency’s work and plans for 2022. Time for general Q/A provided.
  • 5:00 PM EST—Social Hour

February 15 

  • 2:00–3:00 PM EST—Bureau of Land Management Leadership Meeting
    • Description: Meeting with BLM leadership to discuss trail priorities, including the National Trails System.
  • 4:00–5:00 PM EST—Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Majority and Minority Staff (Invited)
    • Description: Meeting with Majority and Minority (Invited) committee staff to discuss new trail designations, staffing and capacity issues of federal land managers, and other relevant legislation and issues including: the Outdoors for All Act, Continental Divide Trail Completion Act, National Scenic Trail Parity Act, BOLT Act, Outdoor Recreation Act. Time will be provided for Q/A.

February 16 

  • 2:00–3:00 PM EST—USDA Forest Service Leadership Meeting, including Deputy Chief Chris French
    • Description: Meeting with Forest Service leadership on the trails community priorities, including the National Trails System and all Forest Service trails.
  • 4:00–5:00 PM EST—National Park Service Leadership Meeting, including Director Chuck Sams
    • Description: Meeting with NPS leadership to discuss trail priorities, including the National Trails System.

February 17

  • 2:00–3:00 PM EST—House Natural Resources Committee Minority Staff
    • Description: Meeting with House Natural Resources Committee, Public Lands Subcommittee Minority staff to discuss new trail designations, staffing and capacity issues of federal land managers, and other relevant legislation and issues including: the Outdoors for All Act, Continental Divide Trail Completion Act, National Scenic Trail Parity Act, BOLT Act, Outdoor Recreation Act. Time will be provided for Q/A.
  • 3:30–4:15 PM EST—Senate Appropriations Committee, Interior Subcommittee Majority and Minority Staff (Invited)
    • Description: Meeting with Senate Appropriations Committee, Interior Subcommittee staff to report on progress we have made over the past year in making trails available and beneficial to Americans and discuss issues critical for trail organization’s ability to do our essential part to sustain, protect, and properly develop these public resources for all to use. Meeting will include sharing FY23 requests and encouraging passage of full year 2022 funding.
  • 4:30–5:30 PM EST—House Agriculture Committee Majority Staff (Forest Service focus)
    • Description: Meeting with House Agriculture Committee (Majority) staff to share our current priorities and work over the last year and discuss ways we can support the committee’s efforts on Forest Service land and trails, climate, and equity. Meeting organized by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

February 18

  • 2:00–3:00 PM EST—NextGen Meet n’ Greet Luncheon
    • Description: The NextGen Meet n’ Greet Luncheon is an open event and invitation for all Hike the Hill® participants and others to to hear from the next generation of conservation leaders about experiences in various NextGen programs and for NextGen and others to connect virtually. Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Partnership for the National Trails System will be co-facilitating this event. This casual luncheon will include both large group discussions and smaller breakout group discussions. This event is free and open to all. Please use a photo of your favorite trail as your Zoom background when you join!
      • (Please note this event has a special zoom link different then the group meetings)
  • 4:00–5:00 PM EST—House Natural Resources Committee Majority Staff
    • Description: Meeting with House Natural Resources Committee, Public Lands Subcommittee staff to discuss new trail designations, staffing and capacity issues of federal land managers, and other relevant legislation and issues including: the Outdoors for All Act, Continental Divide Trail Completion Act, National Scenic Trail Parity Act, BOLT Act, Outdoor Recreation Act. Time will be provided for Q/A.

Register Now

 *Meetings to Be Held at a Later Date*

  • House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee (Majority and Minority) (Meeting to be held in March due to FY22 Appropriations Delay)
  • Office of Management and Budget (Meeting to be held in March/April)
  • Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & ForestryHouse Agriculture Committee (Forest Service Focus)

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Scheduling Meetings with Your Members of Congress

Hike the Hill® participants are encouraged to schedule meetings with their Members of Congress. Upon registration you will receive access to a Virtual Meeting Guide to assist you in this process.