WEEK 3

Wildfire Resilience

Donate

Restoring Oregon's trails after wildfire

Trailkeepers logging out the fire-affected Bull of the Woods trail. Photo by Josh Durham.

Last week, we told you about how Trailkeepers responded to the 2017 Eagle Creek fire and continue to support the reopening of trails throughout the Columbia River Gorge. This week, we’re taking you into TKO’s continued effort to support wildfire resiliency in trail systems throughout Oregon.

In 2024, TKO staff and volunteers restored trails throughout Mt. Hood National Forest as well as in the Santiam corridor, where trails at Santiam State Forest and Marion County parks were severely damaged by the 2020 Labor Day fires. In May, TKO also hosted a two-day training event to teach skills related to tread restoration in fire-affected regions.

This stewardship of Oregon’s wild spaces is possible because of donors like you. Please join us in the effort by donating today.

This Week's Matching Gift

We are excited to announce a $5,000 matching sponsorship from Sasquatch Shuttle for Week 3! This means Sasquatch Shuttle will double every dollar you donate this week, thanks to their generous support. Sasquatch Shuttle’s commitment helps us leverage more resources to expand our impact across the scenic trails of Oregon. Help us make the most of this incredible opportunity by donating above!

In 2024, Trailkeepers...

Cleared 980 fallen logs from Mt. Hood National Forest.

Constructed a new bridge at Santiam State Forest’s Shellburg Falls.

Built new stairs at Marion County’s fire-affected North Fork park.

Trained 352 volunteer and professional trail stewards in critical skills.

Your First Five Trail Parties

Completing five trail parties with TKO earns every volunteer their very own green hardhat. In the last two years alone, we’ve distributed 183 green hats to new volunteers around the state. The vast majority of TKO trail parties require no prior experience. Your crew leader will teach tool safety, tread and drainage basics, and help you feel welcome and comfortable on the trail.

Trail parties usually draw a stellar mixture of long-time volunteers and fresh faces, so everyone can learn from each other, meet new people, and have a positive experience caring for trails.

Ready to get started? Check out our events calendar, or reach out to our team by emailing volunteers@trailkeepersoforegon.org. If in-person events aren’t a fit for you, please consider supporting TKO with a donation today. We couldn’t do this without you!

DONATE

Latest News

You person with a hiking pack walks along a steep mountain trail with large white flowers along the hillside and scenic views.

ACTION ALERT: Forest Service cuts to seasonal staffing will hurt trails and recreational access

This post comes with big thanks to our friends at Washington Trails Association who invited us to borrow heavily from their similar action alert! We invite you to scan the similarities and differences between Oregon and Washington in WTA’s article with a carbon copy for Oregon that we created below. 

If you hike in Oregon, odds are excellent that you’ve enjoyed trails on U.S. Forest Service land. About 39% of Oregon (yes, that’s over 14 million acres of the state) is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. National forests contain some of the most iconic landscapes, popular campgrounds and beloved hiking trails in the state. Encircle Mt. Hood on the Timberline trail, hike along a National Scenic Trail like the Deschutes River trail, visit the Oregon Dunes along the coast, or backpack in the Eagle Cap Wilderness and you are enjoying some of the over 15,000 miles of national forest trails in Oregon.

You person with a hiking pack walks along a steep mountain trail with large white flowers along the hillside and scenic views.

Millions of visitors spread out in Oregon’s 14 million acres of Forest Service lands and 15,000 miles of trails. Photo by TKO volunteer leader Neil Cadsawan

A funding crisis is putting Forest Service trails, campgrounds and other types of outdoor recreation at risk. The U.S. Forest Service is currently making major cuts to its workforce that will reduce its ability to maintain trails, clean trailhead restrooms, collect trash and provide essential services. 

BUDGET CRISIS WILL CUT JOBS AND REDUCE SERVICES

[…]

@ by Steve Kruger

Wildfire Resilience, Shellburg Falls Reopens in the Santiam State Forest

Among the many communities, natural landscapes, and hiking trails that were set ablaze in the historic 2020 Labor Day Wildfires, the Beachie Creek fire swept across Shellburg Falls Recreation Area in the Santiam State Forest southeast of Salem. Once the smoke cleared, TKO was called upon to help! […]

@ by Steve Kruger
A large group of TKO Trail Ambassadors stand in front of a waterfall. The image is overlaid by the TKO logo.

2024 Trail Ambassadors Foster a Welcoming and Accessible Outdoors

Trails have amazing potential to bring people of all backgrounds and abilities into the outdoors, yet gaps in information prevent many from doing so. That’s where TKO Trail Ambassadors come in! These volunteers help to create a welcoming environment on Oregon’s trails by offering a friendly presence to answer questions, providing maps and other information, and recommending local businesses and attractions. Looking back on the 2024 season, it’s easy to see the positive impact their passion and dedication had on Oregon’s trails and trail users.

[…]

@ by Steve Kruger
View More

Subscribe for News and Events