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.
TKO Central Coast Stewardship Coordinator Noelle Windesheim, First central coast trail ambassador intro hike at Sweet Creek Falls, Siuslaw National Forest.
It’s no question that Oregon is fortunate to have countless spectacular natural spaces – and from the Pacific ocean to the Alvord Desert, it’s trails that get us there. These trails come with all sorts of quirks and challenges, and the responsibility to know the ins and outs of a recreation destination often falls to the trail user. But it’s a tall task to get to know every trail AND all the associated passes and permits, and not everyone has a friend or family member to show them the ropes. The Trail Ambassador program is working to close this gap and empower trail users to adventure safely and confidently by hosting trailhead stations and hiking Wilderness trails at some of the most popular and scenic recreation sites in the state. As more and more people have been venturing outside since 2020, the demand for Trail Ambassadors has grown immensely.
In our 2024 season alone, Trail Ambassadors helped 11,234 (and counting!) trail users enjoy their adventures while respecting our natural spaces – if you were to do that solo, you would need to talk with 31 people a day every single day for a YEAR. To achieve our goals of reaching more trail users and further protecting our natural areas in 2025, we need the support of our entire community!
Trailhead Ambassador Jennifer welcomes visitors at one of the Columbia River Gorges’ busiest trails – Latourell Falls.
Trailhead Ambassadors, the volunteers who host trailhead welcome tables, are often the only real-time resource for trail users, and are key to helping folks start their adventures off on the right foot (then left, then right, then left…) Often lovers of the area, they boost local economies by recommending small businesses for visitors to check out, and share fun facts about the native flora and fauna. One Trailhead Ambassador volunteer, Jennifer, recalls her start in the program: “Soon, I was proudly representing TKO at the trailheads at Wahclella and Latourell Falls; two of my favorites…from imparting information about the trail, to sharing my passion for the area, it is a day well spent. [One] person to whom I lent trekking poles thanked me profusely and handed me an envelope fashioned from a slip of paper which contained a cash donation to TKO. The thanks and appreciation I receive from hikers mirrors my admiration for the trailkeepers who are doing the trail work. As a Trail Ambassador, I found my way of giving back to the trails I love.”
Their counterparts, Wilderness Ambassadors, delve into the world of backcountry recreation. These adventurous folks head out on some of the most beloved Wilderness trails on Mount Hood, in the Columbia River Gorge, and in the Drift Creek Wilderness on the central coast. Throughout 2024, Wilderness Ambassadors volunteered 371 hours to engaging with trail users, improving trail conditions by removing trash and rehabbing inappropriate campsites and fire rings, and collecting trail data critical to informing future trail projects.
Ann and Wayne stand with fellow Wilderness Ambassador, Kevin, in front of Burnt Lake.
With these efforts, they help maintain the health and beauty of natural areas and support trail users while doing what they love – getting out on Oregon’s trails. Wilderness Ambassador duo Ann and Wayne D. were spurred to give back as Ambassadors after noticing growing amounts of trash in natural areas while hiking and camping: “We started picking [trash] up. Seeing trees, waterfalls, mountains, birds, insects, plants, and animals is exciting to us. While on the trails, we are guests in their home. Connecting and sharing with others the principles of Leave No Trace is important for protecting outdoor spaces. As Wilderness Ambassadors, we get to hike on some awesome trails, view some great scenery, meet like-minded people, and share with others the value of keeping natural areas as pristine as possible. We are proud to be part of the Trailkeepers of Oregon organization.”
Through protecting our precious natural spaces at the trails where the majority of people access them and promoting a more welcoming, respectful hiking experience, Trail Ambassadors are serving the interests of ALL of us who live, work, and play in Oregon. Knowing this, we have ambitious goals to continue to support Oregon’s trails and trail users in the 2025 season and beyond, and we need your help! You can support TKO’s Trail Ambassador program by contributing to our Legacy Builders community fundraising campaign between now and December 31st. Every penny donated and every effort to spread the word makes a difference. Thank you for being a Trailkeeper. Together we’re building a legacy of resilience, joy, and sustainability for Oregon’s trails!