SEATTLE — Before you can enjoy a hike, AmeriCorps crews like those on Tiger Mountain put in the work to make it possible.
“We have been working the Seattle View Trail that’s up the mountain, more clearing out some pretty severe downfalls,” said Emily Stager with the Conservation Corps.
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AmeriCorps volunteers do a variety of essential work across various state parks, forests, and other public lands, including building and maintaining hiking trails, maintaining public parks, and protecting wildlife.
Officials in charge of state lands say that kind of work is now in jeopardy after the federal government announced it will terminate grants that pay for the AmeriCorps program.
“Washington State Department of Natural Resources uses AmeriCorps funding to fund the Washington Conservation Corps, which helps us maintain our trails and keep recreation accessible and do all kinds of work on our public lands,” said Washington Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove.
Across the country, we are told AmeriCorps grants support more than 1,000 public service programs, putting more than 30,000 people to work to make sure that visitors can enjoy the nation’s natural beauty.
The Trump administration says the sky-high federal deficit means programs like AmeriCorps are luxuries taxpayers cannot afford.
What happens next could end up in court.
“So thankful the attorney general and the governor for joining many other states in fighting back against this termination that came out of the blue,” said Casey Sixkiller, the Director of the Washington Department of Ecology.
The people doing the hands-on work say it’s rewarding and valuable.
“It always makes me smile seeing people hike my trails after I’m done,” said Stager.
The fight over our nation’s budget is soon coming to a trail near you.
