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.
Every spring, Trailkeepers of Oregon Trail Ambassadors head out onto some of Oregon’s most well-loved trails to welcome visitors and share important information about the trail, hiking safety, Leave No Trace, local flora and fauna, and more. We’ve added more locations to our repertoire for this season and we need your help to meet the growing demand on our trails!
Happy Holidays Trailkeepers,
The TKO Legacy Builders end-of-year campaign is coming to a close on December 31st. We are so proud that this campaign is fueled by a grassroots donor base that builds a kick start of support for a new year. Our approach continues to be that everyone in their own way is a Trailkeeper – giving time, giving passion, or giving dollars. Each of these contributions amount to more protection and enhancement of Oregon’s hiking trails.
From Latourell Falls to Mosier Plateau, TKO volunteers put in 6,171 hours (257 days!) in the Columbia River Gorge throughout 2023 ensuring your favorite trails remain ready to welcome you on your adventures. Read on for fun insight on the wide variety of trails and projects that you, our community, helped us to pursue!
Trailkeepers of Oregon
P.O. Box 14814
Portland, OR 97293
(971) 206-4351