Advocacy + Fun = OC Trail Festival
Rethinking Public Lands Advocacy
A lot of public lands advocacy happens in conference rooms, zoom calls, and email inboxes. It’s what we usually think advocacy looks like. But there’s a different version that happens under an oak canopy with a raffle going, families on bikes relaxing after a great social poker ride, and a member of Congress at the microphone agreeing that public lands need our support.
At the 2026 OC Trail Festival at O’Neill Regional Park on August 15, a three-day gathering around a poker ride, camping, kid’s activities, sponsors, and campfires organized by our member organization the Orange County Mountain Bike Association, and supported by Association member Warriors of the Santa Anas. Collectively, along with other OCMTBA groups, they are working to steward trails and support the mountain biking community in and around Orange County, including the Cleveland National Forest.
Rep. Young Kim, (CA-40) spent part of her Saturday with Orange County’s mountain biking community. She listened to riders and spoke to the crowd. When she left, she carried a stack of handwritten postcards. Constituents wrote these cards to explain why public lands matter to their families. That is real advocacy!
Laying the Groundwork with Local Leaders
Local advocates planted this seed during a public lands defense meeting last year. OCMTBA President David Browning, Katie Hawkins, and I met with Rep. Kim’s district director. Afterward, David patiently kept her office in the loop. He shared OCMTBA updates and served as a reliable local resource. At each touchpoint, he reminded them about the OC Trail Festival. Organizers strategically scheduled the festival during Congress’ annual August recess so members could attend.
After a great poker ride, David addressed the crowd between raffle drawings. He explained the current stakes for public lands. He also highlighted two bills that matter deeply to mountain bikers. The first is H.R. 718, the Public Lands in Public Hands Act. This bipartisan bill requires congressional approval before the government can sell off publicly accessible federal tracts over 300 acres. The second is H.R. 8523, the Public Lands Workforce Stability Act . This legislation aims to prevent further workforce reductions.
Speaking Up for Trails and Workers
Darshan Ahluwalia, president of the Warriors of the Santa Anas, made the workforce bill concrete. He discussed the Airport Fire’s impact on the local trail network. And he drew a clear line connecting Forest Service understaffing to delayed trail rebuilding. He also shared some great news. The Forest Service has a tentative plan to restore the San Juan Trail by fall 2027. This massive project will finally reopen a trail closed for two years since the Airport Fire.
During the raffle, David handed out blank postcards. He asked the crowd to write down their reasons for supporting public lands. This was not a generic petition or a form letter. People shared personal stories in their own handwriting. When Rep. Kim arrived, David introduced her and handed her the stack. It created a truly meaningful moment.
A Meaningful Exchange with Representative Kim
Kim began her talk by validating the afternoon’s importance. “Unless we have this communication, unless we have this conversation, we may not be aware of everything that goes on right in my backyard,” she stated. Her district includes Trabuco Canyon, Silverado Canyon, and much of the Cleveland National Forest. Clearly, advocates successfully kept her informed and made a strong impact.
We greatly appreciate that Rep. Kim already cosponsors H.R. 718. She also understood the stakes regarding the workforce bill. Kim told the crowd, “We don’t want the workers, the rangers, the firefighters or national forest employees to be let go.” She noted that replacing laid-off staff is very difficult. Experienced employees already understand the specific needs of outdoor communities.
She supports the concept of the workforce legislation. Furthermore, she promised to raise the issue with colleagues when Congress reconvenes. She credited local advocates for putting this bill on her radar. Since she does not sit on the House Natural Resources Committee, she will weigh in once a bill reaches the House floor.
Rep. Kim also discussed an aerial tour of the Airport Fire burn area. She arranged this tour for Natural Resources Chair Bruce Westerman. This effort initially secured a promise of restoration funds, though later fires unfortunately sidelined them. She emphasized the power of teamwork, stating, “When your representatives advocate on your behalf, we can make a difference. But doing that job requires working together with the community.”
Her closing remarks offered strong encouragement. “Let me be your resource. Let me be your advocate,” she offered. She suggested the community compile their voices into a one-pager for David to deliver to her office so they can work together.
Grassroots Action Makes a Lasting Impact
None of this required a deep policy background. It was not a single, exhausting undertaking. Instead, it took a district staff meeting, patience, and persistent communication over several months. Giving local families a way to speak directly to their representative at a fun event creates a lasting impression.
Congratulations to the Orange County Mountain Bike Association! Thank you to the members and volunteers who built such an amazing weekend. The ridership of this region constantly inspires us with what they accomplish together. We also extend a special thanks to Rep. Kim and her staff. They generously spent time listening to our trail stewardship and mountain biking community. Be sure to check out OCMTBA’s recap!
