2020 saw record damage to trails from wildfire and wind storms across the state. From southern Oregon to the central coast to the Willamette National forest, this record-breaking year has left behind a lot of work to be done.
TKO has been here before. Here is where we see we can help:
The surge of community support and involvement after the Eagle Creek Fire in 2017 is where many of the current TKO Crew Leaders got their start. We have used what we learned from those experiences of bring trails back from the ashes to build a cohort of skilled volunteers across the state. We have been working tirelessly for the last three years to build a training program for trail steward volunteers to be ready to tackle any trail issues that arise, including fire impacts.
We are still waiting for the fire-affected areas to settle through the winter. Once these areas are deemed safe to begin work, we will be there to start the work and to enjoy the journey of being a part of the rebirth of these trails.
Imagine a place you could go to learn about trail design, get continuing education credits, learn how to build a bridge, become the leader you were always meant to be, learn new job skills, and meet trail-lovers like yourself along the way.
That’s the dream behind Trailkeepers University. By engaging with local communities across the state, we aim to build up local volunteerism through stewardship to ensure that every trail in Oregon someday gets the high quality of love and attention that we hang our hard hats on at the end of every day. Join us in making this dream a reality and be a part of Oregon’s growing trail legacy. We can’t do this without you!
We know from experience that the best way to teach someone a skill is to get a tool in their hands and let them experience the process for themselves. This happened to TKO as an organization as we embraced our role as a recovery partner after the Eagle Creek Fire. This philosophy is built into everything we do. As we develop TKU programming with the goal of empowering volunteers to help with recovery in fire affected areas, our Crew Leaders will be passing along the lessons learned over the years. This will happen by getting more tool in more volunteers hands on trails across the state. All of this takes resources to provide and where our amazing donors come in. Your gift makes an impact and brings you into the legacy we are building, together.
Urban trails are a cornerstone to nature access for urban and suburban residents, offering countless physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health benefits. TKO has been busy throughout the Portland Metro Area and beyond in 2023 ensuring that these trails can continue to safely connect communities with the outdoors!
Throughout 2023 TKO has been lucky to participate in some outstanding trail projects in the Willamette and Umpqua River Valleys. These projects, critical to maintaining and reopening trails, allowed volunteers to grow their trail construction skills in some of Oregon’s most beautiful natural areas!
Have you caught the “saw bug” yet? Join TKO on a logout and you just might! This draw to saw work, the itch to feel the saw interact with wood as you cut, captivates many a trail crew member after just one day pulling saw. Saw work is a critical aspect of trail stewardship, and it’s this feeling that TKO has worked to inspire in emerging sawyers across Oregon.
Trailkeepers of Oregon
P.O. Box 14814
Portland, OR 97293
(971) 206-4351