We, the undersigned organizations, institutions, governments, and individuals from across the world, call for the formal recognition of the World Trails Day—currently celebrated on the first Saturday in June—as a UNESCO International Day to elevate the role of trails as essential infrastructure for conservation, connection, and community resilience.

At a time when the world faces unprecedented ecological and social challenges, trails offer a powerful and proven solution. Trails are not simply recreational amenities—they are global conservation pathways that:

• Safeguard biodiversity and landscape connectivity
• Connect communities to nature and to one another
• Improve public health and well-being
• Sustain local economies through tourism and recreation
• Foster peace and understanding across cultures and borders

Across continents, trails are increasingly recognized as corridors of conservation and cooperation. National and regional efforts—from long-distance trail systems to legislative frameworks—demonstrate growing momentum to position trails as critical infrastructure for sustainable futures.

Yet, despite their global significance, there is no unified international platform to recognize and activate the full potential of trails.

A World Trails Day would:

• Elevate trails alongside recognized conservation tools such as protected areas, nature-based solutions, and ecological corridors
• Advance global priorities, including biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and the Sustainable Development Goals
• Mobilize communities worldwide to engage in stewardship, education, and advocacy
• Celebrate trails as ribbons for peace, connecting people and cultures across borders

We support the recognition of World Trails Day through international pathways, including:

• Engagement with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and its World Commission on Protected Areas
• Collaboration with UNESCO and other global partners
• The formation of a global Task Force to guide development, engagement, and implementation

We further call for:

• The recognition of trails as a critical tool for conservation and connectivity
• Increased collaboration across countries and sectors to support trail systems
• Investment in equitable access, stewardship, and community-led trail initiatives
  
  

World Trails Day represents an opportunity to align and amplify a growing global movement—one that connects landscapes, cultures, and people through shared pathways.

Trails connect us. Now is the time to recognise their power—together