Allie Tripp from the Washington Trails Association will be presenting.

Whether a lifelong Washingtonian or a newcomer to the state, hiking and outdoor recreation is a key part of many Washingtonian's identity. And the recreation industry is a critical piece of our state economy's identity, generating $21.6 billion in annual consumer spending and $2 billion in state and local tax revenue. Nearly 200,000 Washington residents are employed thanks to the recreation economy.

But these trails and great hiking experiences don’t just happen. They require thoughtful planning, public funding and commitment from local communities to maintain. As Washington’s population has grown, more people want to experience the iconic trails here, placing an inordinate strain on a handful of trails in the system. It will take significant effort and innovation in order to have trails for everyone, forever.

This is where Washington Trails Association (WTA) comes in.

WTA mobilizes hikers and everyone who loves the outdoors to explore, steward and champion trails and public lands. Our recently-launched Trails Rebooted campaign has selected Spokane County as a pilot area to test new ways to support our state’s most popular day-hiking opportunities.

We’re excited to talk about the value of hiking in our state, and the Spokane area specifically, not only for the state economy but also for the health and well-being of Spokane County residents and how you and your business can be a part of creating the future for trails we all want and deserve.