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!
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.
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