What are Trail Ambassadors?
TKO’s Trail Ambassador Program places volunteers at popular trails in the Columbia Gorge, on Mt. Hood, throughout the Portland Metro Area, in the Willamette Valley, and along Oregon’s coast. Trail Ambassadors give back to the trails they love by engaging with visitors around hiking safety, Leave No Trace, local flora and fauna, responsible use of public lands, and more.
Ambassadors are thanked for their service to our trails with apparel, FREE NW Forest Passes, discounts to local businesses, and more! Scroll all the way down to learn more about the many ways to be an Ambassador.
Trailhead Ambassadors
Trailhead Ambassadors are friendly folks excited to engage with trail users just heading out on their adventures. These volunteers set up a table at some of the most popular trails in the Columbia River Gorge, on Mount Hood, in the Willamette Valley, and along the coast to help and educate visitors on topics like Leave No Trace, wayfinding on the trail, safety, and more!
Wilderness Ambassadors
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 Mount Hood, in the Columbia River Gorge, and in the Drift Creek Wilderness on the central coast to share Leave No Trace principles, hiking safety, and trail stewardship with trail users. Click the link below for more info!
Getting started as an ambassador
What does it take to be an ambassador?
To ensure the safety of our volunteers and the public, we have created training courses and materials for all Trail Ambassador volunteers. Due to the inherent risks of backcountry hiking, Wilderness Ambassadors have a few more training steps to complete before volunteering on the trails solo.
- Step 1: For both Trailhead and Wilderness Ambassadors, we ask that you complete the online Trail Ambassador training. This is a short series of videos and quizzes that can be done at your own pace.
- Step 2: Completion of the online training will begin the background check process. All TKO Volunteer Leaders are required to complete an annual background check, which includes all Trail Ambassadors! After this is complete, Trailhead Ambassador volunteers are set to volunteer solo.
- Step 3: Wilderness Ambassador volunteers will also need to complete one classroom training day. This training covers volunteer logistics, Leave No Trace principles, and tips for you to help folks have a safer and more enjoyable experience on the trail. This will equip you with the resources to feel confident in your role talking to visitors and navigating potentially challenging situations. Find an upcoming Wilderness Ambassador Training on our calendar here.
- Step 4: Wilderness Ambassador volunteers will then complete 3 Mentor Hikes. These are paired hikes with Wilderness Ambassador Mentors where you will learn about a “day in the life” on the trail. After your 3rd hike (or however many it takes until you feel comfortable!), Wilderness Ambassador volunteers are able to volunteer solo.
2025 Ambassador Training Schedule
The 2025 season is officially launching on Saturday, April 27th! Check back here and subscribe to the Trail Ambassador newsletter here for updates on introductory and training opportunities for Trail Ambassadors!
More ways to be an Ambassador
Trail Accessibility Survey Team
A collaboration between Trailkeepers of Oregon, Access Recreation, and the Willamette Valley Visitors Association, has led to the creation of the Trail Accessibility Survey Team! Through this program, volunteers are trained on how to gather useful data on trails and trailheads, which is then input on OregonHikers.org so people of all abilities can make decisions about what adventures are right for them. See an example of the information gathered through surveys here.
No background or experience is required to volunteer as a survey team member – we provide all the training and materials. Complete the form below to let us know you’re interested and we will be in touch!
Field Guide Editors
TKO manages the extremely popular OregonHikers.org. We are always on the lookout for dedicated folks from around the state who are interested in helping to edit and curate this amazing, volunteer-built resource. Apply to be a Field Guide Editor today!
Building a trail ambassador network
Trail Ambassadors has been a collaborative effort from the start. This program is built on the foundational idea that nonprofit partners, agencies, and the public are more powerful together than apart. This program is the result of many years of hard work from the partners listed here. TKO works with an extensive network of partners to support this program. We are always excited to partner with new volunteer groups who might be look for skills training, or new land managers who might be looking for field support.
If you are involved with a nonprofit, agency, or business interested in becoming a part of the Trail Ambassador Network, please email matt.ruddy@trailkeepersoforegon.org.
Program Partners
