The American
Hiking Society is a national nonprofit organization
dedicated to promoting hiking and to establishing,
protecting and maintaining foot trails in America. With more
than 100 member trail clubs, American Hiking represents half
a million outdoorspeople and serves as the voice of
the American hiker.
Wild Wilderness has no intention of maligning the American
Hiking Society. However, in the course of our researches, we
have often been surprised to find the AHS, seemingly, on the
wrong side of an issue. Equally disturbing have been the number
of connections we have found linking the AHS with
motorized user groups, with ARC members, or with the American
Recreation Coalition itself.
Here are a few sample observations:
- The AHS website is located "downstream" of ORCA; an ARC
member.
- The AHS website is financially supported by SGMA; an ARC
sustaining member.
- AHS acknowledges direct financial support from at least three
other members of ARC or the ARC's - Recreation Roundtable.
- AHS representatives often participate in events with ARC.
- AHS supported the "Symms Act" along with the Blue Ribbon
Coalition.
- AHS is a strong proponent of ISTEA reauthorization.
- AHS is working directly with ARC on controversial issues surrounding
the "Continental Divide Trail."
- AHS is often seen working in partnerships with unabashedly
extremist members of the motorized community.
We hope that the American Hiking Society has simply been a bit
over zealous in what it is willing to do in support of its
mission. The examples we have presented should not "brand" AHS
as a supporter of the current move to "commercialize, privatize
and motorize" our public lands. It is, however, important to remember that the
American Hiking Society does not speak for HIKING in American.
They represent only the interests of their own members and
supporters. And, perhaps, not even the interests of the majority
of their membership.
The American Hiking Society, most certainly, does not represent
the interests of Wild Wilderness and our supporters!
On June 25, 1998, the American Hiking Society formally withdrew its
membership in ARC member American Trails. Click Here to learn why.