TRAIL POLICY AND ADVOCACY

By L. Fischer (they/them) | CDTC Trail Policy Manager

Every year, trail organizations, partners, recreationists, advocates, and other trail enthusiasts come together in Washington D.C. for the annual Hike the Hill event to advocate for the National Trail System, and celebrate the accomplishments of the past year. In 2023, Hike the Hill was co-hosted by the Partnership for the National Trail System and the American Hiking Society for its 26th annual year to continue to push forward the priorities important to our nation’s National Trails. Members of the trail community represented a wide swath of the National Trail System and a diverse group of partners from across the country, who came together not only to elevate the needs of any one trail, but to join together to share a vision for a connected, accessible, and enjoyable National Trail System as was envisioned when Congress first created National Trails in 1968.

One of the biggest achievements to celebrate every year is the ever-growing success of the shared stewardship model that continues to invest and foster the resiliency of the National Trail System. As one of ten priority areas identified in the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) 10-Year Trail Stewardship Challenge, for trails like the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), the importance of the model and the prioritization of our National Trails has never been more evident. Year after year, CDT Gateway Communities, conservation and youth corps, recreationists, volunteers, and other members of the trail community, have worked alongside USFS and other agencies to not only complete the trail, but to actively steward the trail and connect with those enjoying the CDT Experience. CDTC celebrated this continued collaboration with all our agency partners, including USFS as well as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Park Service (NPS), and highlighted ways we think we can continue to see that collaboration grow.

During meetings with the agencies, CDTC was excited to celebrate this collaboration with the biggest Return on Investment to the American people on behalf of the CDT yet. Each year, Congress allocates money to the National Trail System through the agencies that manage each year. In 2023, of the almost $ 1.6 million allocated by Congress to USFS for the management of the CDT, $452,000 went to partners, with $250,000 of that going to CDTC. CDTC was able to leverage those funds into $1.8 million dollars in private dollars (grants, donations, etc.) and, combined with partners, delivered over 76,000 volunteer hours valued at $2.29 million, for a combined total of almost $4.5 million. This means that for the $452,000 invested in the CDT by Congress, our trail community was able to leverage that into $4.5 million, which is a 10/1 Return on Investment to the American public. That is not only an amazing accomplishment from all partners, communities, and volunteers involved, but helps us to continue to advocate for that investment from Congress to continue to grow so that together with our agencies, we can prioritize things like trail completion, landscape protection and connectivity, and outdoor access for all who want to experience the CDT.

We bring these great celebrations, accomplished alongside all our partners, to demonstrate to all our members of Congress that investing in the CDT is an investment in the Rocky Mountain West! This year, CDTC met with members from every CDT state, including new members in the 118th Congress, including Rep. Hageman (WY), Rep. Zinke (NM), Rep. Zinke (MT), Rep. Caraveo (CO), and Rep. Pettersen, to not only thank members who have long supported the CDT, but to also start the journey to make new champions from these newest members of Congress.

In 2023, our highest priority from Congress, besides continued funding, was support for the CDT Completion Act. This piece of signature legislation is central to the CDT Experience and fundamental to CDTC’s mission to complete, protect, and promote the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Luckily, the CDT has amazing champions in Congress, including Rep. Neguse (CO) and Rep. Leger Fernandez (NM) who were the original co-sponsors for the bill when it was introduced last session in the House, and they were joined last year by Senator Heinrich (NM) and Senator Daines (MT) who introduced the bill to the Senate. These champions have continued to support this legislation in the 118th Congress, and CDTC continues to grow excited about the bill’s vision, which is to prioritize the completion of the CDT by the trail’s 50th anniversary in 2028.

Other priority initiatives CDTC asked for support from members on included efforts to increase outdoor access, protect the Divide landscape, and support rural community development, including:

• Increased appropriations for National Trails

• The Colorado Outdoor Recreation Act

• The Outdoor F.U.T.U.R.E. Initiative

• The Lincoln Prosperity Proposal

CDTC advocates for these priorities by highlighting past accomplishments and future opportunities for strengthening stewardship, connecting communities, and investing in the CDT. This includes large landscape conservation achievements like the designation of Camp Hale - Continental Divide National Monument by President Biden, thanks to the support of CDT Gateway Communities, recreationists, and community leaders, which protected over 20 miles of the CDT. Last year CDTC also hosted the annual CDT Gateway Community Summit, demonstrating that not only are communities invested in the trail, but are looking for new opportunities to connect with one another and with staff in the agencies and their representatives in Congress. And particularly highlighting the Return on Investment, which models how community-led conservation and volunteering can result in stewardship that is centered on local priorities driven by community leads, strengthening the lasting legacy of the CDT as an experience that is open and enjoyable to all.

As CDTC reflects on the past year’s accomplishments and looks forward to the future, the voice of our trail community is more important than ever. I invite you to join us in advocating for the CDT during one of the many opportunities throughout the year that you can join CDTC and make your voice heard. To stay informed on the latest developments impacting the CDT and learn more about opportunities to use your voice, sign-up for advocacy alerts and mark “Speaking Up for the Trail”.

To learn more about Hike the Hill and CDTC’s priorities, you can read the full 2023 CDTC Congressional Report.