{"id":44545,"date":"2021-04-14T16:24:16","date_gmt":"2021-04-14T20:24:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/?p=44545"},"modified":"2021-08-06T12:07:28","modified_gmt":"2021-08-06T16:07:28","slug":"justin-tucker-hike-the-hill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/justin-tucker-hike-the-hill\/","title":{"rendered":"Hike The Hill 2021 \u2013 Strengthening A New Trail Muscle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Justin Tucker<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve come to feel pretty sure of myself whenever I head out on trail. At this point in my life and in my hiking tenure, I\u2019m fully aware of what my body is capable of. I\u2019ve covered enough miles and climbed enough mountains to have full trust in my legs to continue pushing forward when it gets tough, and in my shoulders to bear the weight of my pack. It just so happens that I live a rather active lifestyle, so even when I\u2019m off trail, I\u2019m likely still working those muscles that I know I\u2019ll soon need on my next adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m thankful that the trail continues to give me strength \u2013 both physically and mentally. But I\u2019ve begun to wonder, what have I given back to it? That question inspired me to become a NextGen Trail Leader. Shortly after, I learned that I would be participating in my first Hike the Hill\u00ae event, where I would be meeting with congressional leaders to advocate for public lands. I have to say that politics was never my strong suit; neither was public speaking. Unlike the confidence I often display when I\u2019m out on the trail, I was unsure as to how speaking about important issues in a virtual room in front of key decision makers would pan out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I knew that I wanted to do a good job, and to actually feel like I was making a difference, so I prepared and prepared and prepared some more. Not only did I attend every issue briefing I could, but I also studied every provided resource and document like there was no tomorrow. I don\u2019t even think I worked that hard when I was in school. Nonetheless, I recognized that there was more at stake than a passing or failing grade. I was focused on leaving a lasting impression with whomever I was speaking to, so I was going to know about the issues, and I was determined to introduce them with vigor, even if it meant losing sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the time came for my congressional meetings, I was ready, and it showed. I shared my story, I presented the issues, and to my own surprise, I did so without apprehension. Whether my efforts will lead to new policy this year or contribute to collective efforts years in the making, I can be proud of myself, and I\u2019m sure I’ve made the trail proud as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have come to realize that, though it will accept and welcome anyone, in all honesty, the trail doesn\u2019t necessarily need more hikers. What it does need, however, are more dedicated stewards and passionate advocates willing to step up and do the work to protect, preserve and fight for it. The trail needs those who are not afraid to speak up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My Hike the Hill experience highlighted one important muscle that I hadn\u2019t given much thought or energy to prior \u2013 one that would make my experiences on trail even more worthwhile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That muscle is my voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Three<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about the Outdoors For All Act<\/a> and the Transit To Trails Act<\/a> and support the passing and implementation of this legislation by emailing your congresspersons here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Justin Tucker I\u2019ve come to feel pretty sure of myself whenever I head out on trail. At this point in my life and in my hiking tenure, I\u2019m fully…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":44401,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[382,650,385],"tags":[820],"class_list":["post-44545","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advocacy","category-blog","category-hike-the-hill","tag-nextgen"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHike The Hill 2021 \u2013 Strengthening A New Trail Muscle - American Hiking Society<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/justin-tucker-hike-the-hill\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Hike The Hill 2021 \u2013 Strengthening A New Trail Muscle\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"When the time came for my congressional meetings, I was ready, and it showed. 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