Every year, on the first Saturday of June, American Hiking Society and the trails community invites Americans of all ages and abilities to discover the adventure that beckons on one of the many trails throughout our beautiful country. This Saturday, June 6th, American Hiking Society will be hosting National Trails Day. This is the only nationally coordinated event designed to unite all trail activities with the goal of connecting more people to trails.By coordinating with a vast array of trail activities on one single day, National Trails Day attracts new trail users and helps connect existing trail enthusiasts with local clubs and organizations with the hopes of creating trail advocates and stewards. The task to protect and maintain more than 200,000 miles of trails in the U.S. requires a collaborative effort among trail clubs, organizations, government agencies, and most importantly passionate trail advocates and stewards.
Wondering how can you take part in National Trails Day? Check out all of the different ways below.
1. Take American Hiking Society’s #NationalTrailsDay Pledge and commit to taking at least one action in 2020 to preserve trails and fight for equitable access to quality green space.
2. #VotePublicLands by making sure you are registered to vote or check your registration status, and request an absentee ballot if you prefer to. Before November 3, get educated on the public lands and access issues you care most about.
3. Speak up and tell your Member of Congress why trails and access to natural spaces are important to you and ask them to pass bipartisan legislation that supports trails, public lands, and access for all.
4. Leave a trail better than you found it by committing to take a trash bag with you whenever you hike or go for a walk. You can also collect trash at a local natural space, trail, or even along your neighborhood sidewalk.
5. Commit to a Trail Work Project in 2020. Once it’s safe to congregate in groups, check back with American Hiking Society for local volunteer projects or go on a Volunteer Vacation.
6. Give a gift to a local trail nonprofit such as the New York - New Jersey Trail Conference, Rails to Trails Conservancy, and American Trails or join American Hiking Society. As we know, trails do not maintain themselves and your donation will help to protect your favorite trails and fight for access for future generations.
7. Connect with others on social media by sharing why trails and natural spaces are important to you. Make sure to use #NationalTrailsDay and @AmericanHiking in your posts. Plus, if you share a photo from a favorite trail experience, you will be entered to win a Gear Prize Package worth $460. The contest ends June 8, so start tagging.
8. Plan a hike with your family on June 6th or any day, and educate future generations about the beauty and wonder that Mother Nature has to offer and the importance of protecting it.
Gear up for National Trails Day with Ramsey Outdoor!
