American Hiking Society, in partnership with 259 local, state, and national organizations, has submitted testimony to Congress calling for increased funding in the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget to support trails and public lands across the United States.
The coalition of organizations, business, and local governments — representing millions of trail users, outdoor enthusiasts, and conservation advocates — emphasized the critical role trails and public lands play in recreation, health, and economic development. Their unified testimony highlights the need for investment in federal agency trail programs and staffing, including those within the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The coalition’s recommendations call for:
- Increased funding for federal trail programs across public land agencies
- Strategic investments in trail maintenance, access, and resiliency
- Support for volunteerism and partnerships that help extend the capacity of federal land managers
- Protection and improvement of federal land management staffing
“The urgency to support and invest in America’s trail systems has never been greater,” said Tyler Ray, American Hiking Society’s Senior Director for Programs and Advocacy, “we are urging Congress to meet this moment with meaningful investments that ensure safe, sustainable trail access for all and grow local economies.”
The full testimony can be found here: https://americanhiking.org/american-hiking-and-259-organizations-support-fy26-trail-funding.