WEEK 8: Trailkeepers University – Saw School

Every $1000 raised = a volunteer earns a sawyer certification.

Help us meet our goal this week and win some great raffle prizes!

Donate $50+ and you’ll be entered to win 1 of 2 Patagonia Black Hole duffle bags.

Donate $100+ and you’ll be entered to win a stunning set of PNW themed North Drinkware glassware.

DONATE

Bringing Oregon’s Trails Back from Fire & Wind

In 2020, TKO earned the distinction of forming a nationally recognized Sawyer certification training program. This year, the Trailkeepers University Saw School provided over 70 saw related events including 15 nationally recognized Sawyer Training courses. These opportunities have resulted in over 50 new certified sawyers performing saw work all over Oregon. The Columbia Gorge, Mt. Hood National Forest, Portland area state parks, and Sate Parks up and down the coast are just a few of the places that TKO sawyers have been fine tuning their skills this year.

Memorable moments include collaborative efforts between different organizations – coming together to learn from each other and safely restore popular hiking trails from wind storm and fire damage. We dont let these intensive projects go to waste. Heavily damaged sections of the Pacific Crest Trail and the Timberline Trail were used as a learning laboratory for 5 days of advanced sawyer trainings for both crosscut saws and chainsaws meaning more volunteers than ever are now able to tackle the needs of fire and wind damaged trails all across the state.

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TRAILKEEPERS UNIVERISTY

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Trailkeepers University

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!

Join the Legacy

Learning by Doing

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.

Join the Legacy

Latest News

Trail Ambassadors are getting ready to launch!

By Loren Payne

Spring is quickly approaching! That means before we know it, Trailkeepers of Oregon will be kicking off another Trail Ambassador season. Through partnerships with the U.S. Forest Service, Oregon State Parks, the Mt. Hood – Columbia River Gorge Tourism Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, and Friends of the Columbia River Gorge, Trail Ambassadors will take to trails beginning April 22nd to engage with trail users across the state. We are always looking to grow our team – if you’ve been looking to give back to the trails you love, we want you on board!

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@ by Natalie Ferraro

Family Friendly Events are Back!

An adult holds a fern while a child uses lopper to cut it at the base.

Join TKO on the last Sunday of each month to learn all about trail stewardship!

By Natalie Ferraro

Trailkeepers is excited to once again be offering Family Friendly trail parties for 2023. These events are a chance for kids of all ages to learn some of the basics of trail stewardship, spend quality time with family and friends outdoors, and learn the value of taking care of a place they love. We think our Family Friendly trail parties are some of the best fun you can have on a Sunday, but you don’t have to take our world for it. We asked TKO volunteer Jon and his son Liam to share why they love volunteering with TKO. […]

@ by Natalie Ferraro

Safety, Fun, Service – becoming a TKO Crew Leader

A close up of two faces. One person wears a blue jacket and a yellow hat, the other wears a yellow jacket and an orange hat. They both have dirt on their faces and are smiling.

Being a Crew Leader with TKO is rewarding work and comes with a fun and supportive community that can’t wait to welcome you!

by Elaine Keavney and Loren Payne

So you’ve earned your green hat, and are getting “hooked” on trail stewardship.  As you get to know your crew leaders, do you find yourself wondering whether leading a crew would be something you would enjoy? Read on for some information about leading crews, and what you need to do if you would like to become a TKO crew leader!

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@ by Natalie Ferraro
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