Washington Trails Association

Washington Trails Association (WTA) is a non-profit organization that advocates protection of hiking trails and wilderness, conducts trail maintenance, and promotes hiking in Washington state. Their principal values emphasize the benefits of nature, the willingness of hikers to protect trails, and the importance of ensuring that the outdoors is made accessible. Its offices are currently located on the corner of Second and Cherry in Downtown Seattle.

History
WTA first began with the publication of Signpost, a grassroots magazine started in 1966 by guidebook author Louise Marshall. Hiking guidebook author Ira Spring was a member of the Board of Directors from 1982 until he died in 2003. WTA still publishes a magazine for hikers, now under the name Washington Trails. There is also now a website where hiking guides and trail damage reports can be found.

In 1993, WTA's former executive director, the late Greg Ball, launched the organization's volunteer trail maintenance program, completing 250 hours of trail work on public lands. Between 1995 and 2005, the hours of trail maintenance were reported to be around 500,000. In 2016, WTA logged 150,000 hours of trail maintenance by 4,700 volunteers on National Parks, National Forest, and state lands. In 2017, Jill Simmons became CEO and continued the work of protecting the trails. The current CEO, Jaime Loucky, joined WTA in 2020.

Trail work
WTA volunteers work on both backcountry and front-country trails. WTA partnered with the Washington State and Recreation Commission to make the Hardy Ridge trail system in Beacon Rock State Park functional for backcountry hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians by 2006. Trail work was also performed on the front-country trail Margaret's Way, located on Squak Mountain. Contributors to this project included the Washington Trails Association, the Issaquah Alps Trail Club, and King County Parks.

Programs
Washington Trails Association offers programs that provide opportunities for people to get involved in the outdoors. Via the Outdoor Leadership Training program, conducted by Andrew Pringle, volunteers can take the trail leader position on a trip after attending one of Pringle’s courses. The people who attend these hikes are allowed to utilize the organization’s gear library: a space where outdoor equipment can be borrowed free of a rental charge. WTA also coordinates regional work parties where youth can participate in trail maintenance. In 2020, high school students volunteered to work on a week-long project to re-route Trail 130 and 131 at Mount Spokane.

Stewardship
WTA is one of 50 outdoor organization members of the Recreate Responsibly Coalition. In 2020, the coalition added six principles to their recommendations for acting responsibly in the outdoors; the principles were meant to encourage preparation, foster inclusion, and protect public lands. The principles specifically highlight knowing the status of where you want to go before you go, planning accordingly based on the status information, valuing inclusivity, showing respect to others, leaving no trace, and acting with the goal of sustainability in outdoor spaces.