In 2019, TKO staff and funding partners were laying the groundwork to start a movement of stewardship on Oregon’s south coast. Over the last two years, Oregon Coast Visitors Association funding helped us build a movement of trail stewardship in the southern Oregon Coast region. In addition to ongoing volunteer agreements with Oregon State Parks – Harris Beach Management Unit and USFS Siuslaw and Rogue-Siskiyou National Forests, we have expanded our service areas to include Oregon Department of State Lands South Slough Reserve and Oregon State Parks – Sunset Bay Management Unit. We have assessed trails to build a portfolio of projects to tackle and have hosted several volunteer trainings, including Crew Leadership and Ambassador trainings, to help drum up a beat of stewardship within communities that are eager to get out and improve their trails. Donate today to support our ongoing efforts to empowering south coast communities to steward their amazing trails.
Cape Arago is a breathtaking section of the Oregon Coast. In 2020, TKO pledged to increase trail stewardship in this, and other awe inspiring areas on the southern coast. Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, we engaged in volunteer events, including trail maintenance, Trail Ambassador events, and stewardship trainings both online and in-person. At Cape Arago and Sunset Bay State Parks we have been lop, lop, lopping all summer long! 152 volunteer hours this summer, mostly on the East Loop Trail that connects to the Pack Trail. This trail was nearly lost to the overgrowth and we are saving it! We also retreaded the pack trail after the spruce trees that blew over last winter were sawed out of the way.
Did you know that most of our trail parties are lead by other volunteers? These amazing folks have taken the time to train extensively in first aid, equity work and trail maintenance skills to provide the unique and positive volunteer experience that TKO is known for. With out volunteer Crew Leaders, none of the work we do gets done. In the fall of this year, TKO staff hosted a three day training series with the aim of growing a new batch of volunteer Crew Leaders in the South Coast region. Members of the community came out to learn new skills, give back to the trails they love, and help TKO grow. Your donation helps them to have the supplies and support they need to get more volunteers out on more trails than ever before!
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.
Smith Rock State Park is an outdoor recreation haven for hikers, climbers, mountain bikers, and beyond. Due to high visitation and the unique, fragile nature of the ecosystem, it is critical that the 12 trails throughout the park are well maintained. We at TKO feel very lucky to have served this special place throughout 2023, and we’re gearing up for another year!
Trailkeepers of Oregon
P.O. Box 14814
Portland, OR 97293
(971) 206-4351