When people have a safe and welcoming experience on the trail, they get excited to return and continue building their relationship to that place, which in turn gets them excited about helping to take care of it. TKO’s Trail Ambassadors provide people with the tools, information and resources they need to do build relationships with outdoor spaces and provide opportunities for trail users to give back.
At the heart of TKO’s Ambassador program is the belief that trails are for everyone. Ambassadors enjoy talking to others about trails and are an outgoing and friendly presence on many trails throughout the Gorge, Mt Hood and the North Coast. These volunteers are enthusiastic folks who love to get to know a place inside and out. From ongoing trail projects to trail closures, TKO’s Ambassadors are intimate experts on the areas they serve.
Wilderness Ambassadors are a special type of volunteer. Experts at public engagement and education, these adventurous folks head out on some of the most beloved wilderness trails on Mt Hood and in the Columbia River Gorge to share Leave No Trace principles, hiking etiquette, and trail stewardship with trail users. These volunteers also gather data on physical and social trail conditions, perform some lights stewardship projects, and help to train new Wilderness Ambassadors as they enter the program.
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