Have you noticed how a well-taken photo can speak much louder than words? Photos are a fantastic tool to help draw attention to issues. Some hikers use photos in their advocacy to address the funding needs of trails and wilderness.

The Sierra Club pioneered this approach, publishing gorgeous photo books to convice people to protect places such as the Grand Canyon and the North Cascades.

Turns out, you don't have to be Ansel Adams to help WTA spread the message that trails and wilderness need adequate funds to protect them. Your photos can help elected officials understand the importance of trails to their constituents. A letter and a picture of you and your friends hiking at Big Four Ice Caves, or backpacking West Cady Ridge can help make the point that damaged forest roads and trails desperately need funds. We're encouraging WTA members to send these letters and photos to the local district offices of your congressional representatives (letters sent to Washington D.C. congressional offices are irradiated and often arrive both late and hard to read after the process). Find local offices here.

Want to learn how to use your photos to influence your legislators? Join WTA and photographer Shellye Poster for an evening talk about using photographs as an advocacy tool. The event takes place 6:30-8 p.m. Wed. Feb 20 at the National Parks Conservation Association gallery in Seattle's Pioneer Square district at 313-A First Ave. S. Please RSVP to 206.903.1444 x24, as space is limited.

Shellye Poster is a photographer, teaching artist, and mentors youth photography students. In the fall of 2004 she served as Badlands National Park's artist-in-residence. You can see more of her work here. She'll talk about photo techniques and discuss how to use your pictures to influence elected officials. You'll also have a chance to view and take inspiration from the award-winning photos in WTA's 2008 Northwest Exposure Photo Contest.

Join us!