The Partnership for the National Trails System is dedicated to keeping our members and supporters up to date on the rapid decisions coming from Washington, DC, and how they are impacting the National Trails System. On this page, you will find up to date information on hiring freezes, funding freezes, and more.
The President’s Proposed Budget Impact on the National Trails System
In 2020, the Trump Administration passed the Great American Outdoors Act. This bipartisan legislation established permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
The proposal would divert $387 million, more than a third of LWCF’s federal funding. The diverted funds represent 90% of the funding earmarked for protecting national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests, and other federal lands.
The Forest Service will face trail funding cuts of 60% for maintenance and the elimination of $6 million in funding for Legacy Roads and Trails, funding for the BLM National Scenic and Historic Trails line item has been eliminated, and the overall National Park Service budget has been cut by over a billion dollars, including $900 million for park service operations which funds trails.
If you would like to include how these recent changes have impacted your organization, please send to nora@pnts.org
How Can You Help?
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Call Your Representatives.
- Use this link to identify your representative. If you don’t know what to say, follow this script:
- “Hello, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [City, Zip] I’m calling to ask [REP/SEN NAME] to stop the efforts of this administration to devastate our National Trails System under the cover of “cutting costs”. These decisions have immediate and long term consequences on communities in your district and do not save the taxpayer any money. These are everyday, hardworking Americans who are losing their jobs and livelihoods. From small business owners to outdoor enthusiasts – many people will suffer. Thank you for your time and consideration.
- Use this link to identify your representative. If you don’t know what to say, follow this script:
*****IF LEAVING VOICEMAIL: Please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied.
You can also add personal details if you would like – ie “I thru hiked the Appalachian Trail” ; “My grandparents run a restaurant in a trail town” ; “my job offer was rescinded” ;
2. Stay up to date on what’s happening.
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- Thanks to Federal Funding Cuts, Hiking Organizations Say Trails Will Suffer This Summer
- How firings of U.S. Forest Service workers could disrupt Arizona trails
- A German Thru-Hiker Has Been Detained, Deported, and Banned From the US Without a Hearing: Here’s What You Need To Know
- Former Florida Trail deputy administrator says Forest Service cuts could have ‘huge fallout’ on hiking magnet
- Recent federal layoffs threaten the future of nation’s beloved Pacific Crest Trail
- Visitor Use Data – Social Science (U.S. National Park Service)
- Forest Service reinstatement: https://wildfiretoday.com/2025/03/11/usda-hires-back-all-fired-probationary-workers-forest-service-national-parks/
- Guidance on Agency RIF and Reorganization Plans Requested by Implementing The President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Workforce Optimization Initiative
- Outside witness testimony deadline for House Interior Appropriations is April 4: https://appropriations.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/republicans-appropriations.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/fy26-instructions-for-submitting-written-public-testimony-all-groups.pdf
- DOGE fired Fort Pierce Forest Service employee despite praise for protecting Florida Trail
3. Donate Here
Donate to PNTS and other organizations dedicated to protecting the National Trails System and those who care for it.