with 298 volunteers in 2022!
At the opening of all of our events, TKO asserts that we want to be part of the change towards making trails safe and accessible for all by actively combating racism, bias, and hate. We know that in order to do this we need to start at home – with our staff and volunteers. That’s why TKO and our partners at Forest Park Conservancy began to create a series of 3 peer-to-peer DEI workshops that are now required for all TKO staff and Crew Leaders.
Throughout the year, TKO and FPC hosted 3 sessions of DEI Workshop #1: Building an Inclusive Culture with a total of 46 attendees. For some of these people, this workshop is the first time they are introduced to DEI language and concepts. We are excited to continue to offer this workshop and create the inclusive culture on trails we hope to see. Stay tuned as TKO and FPC begin to offer Workshops #2 and #3 in 2023!
This fund will match every donation $1 for $1 until the end of the year.
AND if you donate $50+, you will be entered to win 1 of 3 stays in cabin at Smith Creek Village at Silver Falls!
Your gift is worth twice as much, but only until midnight on Dec. 31st, so give soon!
Anyone who donates their time at a TKO trail party this week (12/26 – 12/31) will also be entered to win at the $50+ level.
are just one of the many types of Trailkeepers University classes you can take!
TKO values quality volunteer experiences and knowledge sharing, and one way we pursue this is through our volunteer leadership opportunities. We couldn’t do the work we do without our amazing volunteer Crew Leaders, so we want to ensure leaders feel equipped for the job and other participants feel safe. We work towards this ideal through our various Crew Leader trainings, and 2022 was a big year for the development of the leadership pipeline.
This year TKO hosted 7 Leadership Labs, our introductory course on TKO leadership culture and creating a safe and welcoming experience. Through these events TKO trained a total of 25 volunteer Assistant Crew Leaders!
But that’s not all! We also hosted 2 Crew Leader Schools, our in-depth training on all things crew leadership. 6 new volunteers joined the rank of Crew Leader and have been successfully leading crews on trails across the state.
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