NWTA at the Oregon Capitol: Advocating for Oregon’s Trails

Northwest Trail Alliance was proud to join more than 90 trail volunteers, professionals, and advocates at the Oregon State Capitol on Monday, February 9th to speak directly with legislators about the importance of trails across our state.

NWTA Executive Director Lisa Olivares and Trail Stewardship Director Nancy Stone represented our organization, advocating on behalf of the thousands of NWTA members and volunteers who build, maintain, and ride Oregon’s trails.

The day began at Pringle City Park and Community Hall with a welcome from Representative Emerson Levy and issue briefings from statewide recreation partners. From there, advocates walked to the Capitol for small-group meetings across dozens of legislative offices, sharing a unified message: Oregon’s trails matter.

Key Issues Discussed

Recreation Liability Reform (SB 1593-A)

NWTA voiced strong support for SB 1593-A, legislation aimed at modernizing Oregon’s recreation liability laws to better align with neighboring states. This bill would help reduce liability risks and insurance costs for organizations leading volunteer stewardship efforts and outdoor programs.

For NWTA, this is critical. Our ability to safely and confidently lead volunteer trail work depends on reasonable liability protections that include all Oregon families, including guardian-signed waivers.

Transportation & Community Path Funding

We also emphasized the importance of multi-use paths as essential components of Oregon’s transportation network. These paths connect communities, provide safe recreation access, and support climate and mobility goals.

Protecting existing funding, supporting accountability measures, and advocating for future investment in Oregon Community Paths ensures that trails remain accessible and viable for generations to come.

Micromobility House Bill 3626

NWTA also took this opportunity to submit testimony in favor of House Bill 3626, which defines what a “powered micromobility device” is. It provides a uniform definition of e-bikes and other e-assisted devices.  It also combines the laws for kids under 16, making it clear that they must wear helmets when riding bikes, e bikes, e-scooters and some other vehicles.

Why This Matters

Every year, NWTA volunteers steward hundreds of miles of trail in partnership with land managers across the state. Trails:

• Connect Oregonians to nature
  
• Provide affordable recreation and fitness opportunities
  
• Support mental and physical health
  
• Strengthen local economies through outdoor recreation and tourism
  
• Build community through stewardship

Investment in trails is not just about recreation. It is about quality of life, economic vitality, and responsible land stewardship.

We are grateful to the Oregon Trails Coalition for organizing this impactful day and to the many volunteers and partners who showed up to advocate for Oregon’s trail systems.

Stay tuned to hear more from NWTA on upcoming advocacy alerts and how you can easily get involved, raise your voice and support trails and recreation across the state.

Photos courtesy of Gavin Mahaley and Oregon Trails Coalition.