SPRING CAMPAIGN

– WEEK 1 –

Stewardship

Wildflowers are popping, snow gates are opening… 

the hiking season is here!

  

As you gear up and get out, take a moment and give back.

Each week this month, we will highlight a different TKO program and how investing your time and money in TKO directly supports you and your outdoor adventures.

ENTER THE RAFFLE

We have 4 weekend passes to Pickathon to give away.

The more you donate, the more chances you have to win!

April 1st thru April 9th:

$30 donation = 5 entries to win 

$100 donation = 25 entries to win

Give more to increase your chances!

 

Each week, we will host a new raffle for another weekend pass, so if you dont win one week, you can always enter again.

Over the month of April, if you give $250 or more in total donations to TKO, you will also be entered to win a Pickathon VIP Backstage weekend pass.

ENTER THE RAFFLE

Stewardship first, advocacy follows.

TKO’s mission is to protect and enhance the Oregon hikers experience through stewardship, advocacy, outreach and education – there is a reason why stewardship comes first. By being a growing presence through stewardship of Oregon’s hiking trails, we build trust and become a vital resource to respond to all sorts of trail challenges. Our best advocacy is achieved after we’ve earned that trust, helping see trail management concerns met and trail system improvement come to fruition.

Columbia Gorge: Eagle Creek Fire Recovery

SINCE 2017 TKO VOLUNTEERS HAVE HELPED TO REOPEN

+ Angels Rest Trail

+ Devils Rest Trail

+ Wahkeena Falls Trail

+ Multnomah Falls Trail

+ Larch Mountain Trail

+ Vista Point Trail

+ Franklin Ridge Trail

+ Oneonta Trail

+ Horsetail Falls Trail

+ Elowah Falls Trail

+ Wahclella Falls Trail

+ Wauna Point Trail

+ Gorge #400 Trail

DONATE TODAY AND HELP OUR VOLUNTEERS REOPEN

– Bell Creek Trail

– Horsetail Creek Trail

– Nesmith Point Trail

– Ruckel Creek Trail

– Tanner Butte Trail

– Wyeth Trail

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 four years to build a training program for trail steward volunteers to be ready to tackle any trail issues that arise, including fire impacts.

2020 Labor Day Wildfires, Santiam Canyon

We all learned too soon that the instances of wildfire across lands in Oregon are increasing and 2020 hit hard. TKO embraced our role as a recovery partner after the Eagle Creek Fire and offered our experience to trails closed due to the historic 2020 Labor Day Wildfires. We teamed up with Oregon Department of Forestry and a co-hosted 3 interns with Northwest Youth Corps, guiding their efforts in assessing post-fire trail conditions and activating community engagement in the Santiam State Forest.

In 2022 we will be back again, kicking things off with a special TKO Tread School – Fire Recovery Edition. 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. Trailkeepers University programming such as this sets out to empower volunteers to help with recovery in fire affected areas by having our Crew Leaders pass along the lessons learned over the years. This will happen by getting more tools in more volunteers hands on trails across the state. All of this takes resources, this is where our amazing donors come in. Your gift makes an impact and brings you into the legacy we are building together.

Support Fire Recovery

Clackamas River, Riverside Fire

We are pleased to know that the credit earned in Eagle Creek fire recovery has allowed our volunteers to begin a journey of restoration across the Clackamas River Ranger District in Mt. Hood National Forest. Starting with small crews of 4-8 experienced volunteers and TKO staff, we are opening up the trail corridor and mitigating the initial risks in this severely fire-damaged area of the Forest. Stay tuned, as those crews get a handle on what needs doing – community members will be called upon to restore this place. And while we are at it, a chance to rebuild in a way like never before, looking to improve those trail systems in a chance for Oregons hikers to have a voice in their return!

Support Fire Recovery

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!

[…]

@ 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!

[…]

@ by Natalie Ferraro
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