Link to the full NPS article: 2023 Excellence in Wilderness Stewardship Award Recipients
The 2023 Excellence in Wilderness Stewardship Award recipients. Photo credit to NPS
The Pacific Crest Trail Association is honored to receive recognition for its dedication to wilderness preservation and stewardship in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS). This acknowledgment is a meaningful testament to the collective effort and commitment that drives our mission. Our partnerships with the NPS and the U.S. Forest Service have been pivotal in ensuring sustainable visitor experiences and protecting the natural resources of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).
PCTA’s Justin Kooyman, Director of Trail Operations, traveled to Washington D.C. earlier this year to receive the award in person. In accepting the award, Justin noted why this partnership has been so important, “over the years… the PCTA has worked closely with our National Parks Service partners to balance the recreation opportunities provided by the PCT with the protection of wilderness character within the parks.”
In 2023 and ’24, the PCTA played a key role in several significant projects that advanced interagency wilderness stewardship in the Sierra Nevada. We supported a two-day visitor use management workshop, worked closely with NPS and Forest Service staff to identify and address visitor use challenges, and hired a Southern Sierra regional representative to enhance regional coordination. These initiatives underscore our long-standing commitment to collaborating with partners and improving visitor experiences on this iconic trail.
Photo by: Jess Cooper
Moreover, the PCTA prioritized effective communication and education, particularly during a challenging year marked by record-breaking and persistent snowpack. By leveraging multiple outreach channels, we provided timely, inclusive, and impactful information on safe travel while minimizing impacts to wilderness resources. These efforts were vital for hikers navigating the trail’s high-elevation segments and emphasized responsible practices to protect the wilderness character.
I’d like to thank our NPS partners for engaging PCTA as a true and full partner in the protection of the PCT and wilderness. And I’d also like to express my appreciation for the staff at the PCTA who work tirelessly to ensure that the vision of both the PCT and wilderness is carried forward.
– Justin Kooyman, Director of Trail Operations
Our dedication extended to enhancing direct outreach to share information in person and collect data in the High Sierra. The PCTA adapted the southern terminus host program and implemented Crest Runner patrols to support agency efforts in the Cottonwood Pass area. By engaging with hikers before they entered the High Sierra—often before ranger staff were fully mobilized—we promoted best practices, and mitigated impacts from issues such as improper food storage, campfires, and unsuitable campsite choices. Our proactive safety communications also played an essential role in preventing emergencies that could compromise wilderness areas.
Photo by: Nicolas Bouchex Bellomie
The PCTA’s work continues to bridge the gap between the NPS and the public, ensuring that wilderness character and the PCT experience is preserved for generations to come. We are proud to be recognized as an innovative, dependable partner in this ongoing mission and look forward to further strengthening our collaborative efforts in safeguarding the PCT’s natural beauty.