Washington Water Trails Association

Washington Water Trails Association (WWTA) is a local group working to improve our immediate environment along the Cascadia Marine Trail, as well as working across the state of Washington to protect public access to waterways on five other water trails in varying stages of evolution. WWTA partners with state and federal agencies, grassroots groups, businesses, and citizens in this mission, advocating for the right of public access to state waterways amd representing the state's non-motorized boating population in the political and recreational planning realms.

Environmental stewardship is key, and WWTA embraces complementary programs focused towards engaging volunteers in active stewardship. In WWTA’s Site Steward Program, volunteers serve as eyes and ears on the trail, monitoring environmental integrity, reporting on access points in need of restoration work, on the effects of user impacts as well as the growth of invasive species and erosion threats. Data collected informs both land managers and WWTA, helping to direct restoration efforts. WWTA has conducted Leave No Trace Trainer Courses since 2003, and the Sound Education and Action (SEA) Kayaker program, aimed towards environmental training and instruction, has run since 2005.

Washington is a state rich in water. But anyone who boats, swims, enjoys beach walks, rides waves, or casts lines, knows that accessing these bodies of water is not always easy. All too often the shoreline is posted with "Private, No Trespassing" signs or obstructed by development. A central tenant of WWTA is to protect and expand public access to the water. By the late 1980's, the sea kayaking community realized that the 5,000 year old tradition of traveling the Salish Sea by small boat was threatened by increasing privatization and shoreline development. Concerned paddlers proposed a water trail throughout the United State's second largest estuary, Puget Sound. In 1990 WWTA was founded and work began to establish the Cascadia Marine Trail--the first of six water trails across the state of Washington. These water trails will ensure that generation after generation will have access to our state waters.