Posts by Steve

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

November 21, 2024 Posted by Uncategorized 0 thoughts on “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

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Wildfire Resilience, Shellburg Falls Reopens in the Santiam State Forest

November 14, 2024 Posted by Uncategorized 0 thoughts on “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! (more…)

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

November 3, 2024 Posted by Uncategorized 0 thoughts on “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.

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2024 Message from TKO’s Executive Director

November 2, 2024 Posted by Uncategorized 0 thoughts on “2024 Message from TKO’s Executive Director”

Dear Trailkeepers,

I hope this letter finds you well, with some time recently spent outside, soaking in the beauty of Oregon’s scenic landscapes. As fall settles in, I find myself reflecting on the past year—both personally and in the context of our work at Trailkeepers of Oregon. For me, it has been a year of profound change and challenge.

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TKO Comments on Mt. Hood NRA v2022Jan7

January 7, 2022 Posted by Trail Ambassadors 0 thoughts on “TKO Comments on Mt. Hood NRA v2022Jan7”

Portland, Ore. – January 8th, 2022 – Subject: Legislative Concepts for Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge

Dear Senator Wyden and Representative Blumenauer:

On behalf of Trailkeepers of Oregon (TKO), we would like to thank you for your ongoing work in protecting Mount Hood and the Gorge, including the new vision for recreation and restoration in the newly released legislative concept. We strongly support this pivot toward protecting special places while also improving sustainable recreation opportunities. Key components are listed below, making the proposal so timely and needed.

TKO Comments Mount Hood NRA v2022Jan7

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Activating Oregon’s citizenry, a moment for a movement

May 23, 2020 Posted by Uncategorized 0 thoughts on “Activating Oregon’s citizenry, a moment for a movement”

by Steve Kruger – TKO Executive Director

I am deeply concerned about what is happening to our Oregon State Parks with reductions in operational staff and the possible layoffs of critical support within the agency’s ranks. We are concerned this is a preview of what is going to happen across all public lands. All federal, state and local lands are scrambling to catch up on season staff changes while managing new normals in visitor safety — all in a time of re-opening public lands and the looming realities of shrinking budgets. Oregon’s citizenry can help, if we make it a priority.

[To land managers – Please don’t take this message as a slight on our work together in this critical time. There are a number of examples of you persevering to get volunteers to help you all – we are excited to celebrate that effort soon. This is an acknowledgement of your excellence, the importance of our work together and what you all are struggling to balance.] (more…)

Staying strong together, while physically apart

April 10, 2020 Posted by Uncategorized 0 thoughts on “Staying strong together, while physically apart”

by Steve Kruger – TKO Executive Director

This time last April, TKO family-friendly event at Oxbow.

Many of you may recall my end of year letter, sharing with you how my 3 year old son has grown up around TKO and the trails adventures we’ve been able to explore. Doing our best to stick close to home and balance two working parents, my son Van has been experiencing the simpler things – which to him are out of this world (more…)

On to 2020, A Message from TKO’s Executive Director

December 31, 2019 Posted by Newsletter, Winter 2019 0 thoughts on “On to 2020, A Message from TKO’s Executive Director”

written by Steve Kruger, Executive Director

Thank you to all of our TKO volunteers and supporters. Your remarkable contributions are building towards a trails legacy for Oregon. Your impact is making a difference to young and young at heart, including my son Van – who has grown up around this movement we are building. I have been fortunate to have him witness Trailkeepers in action, and his appreciation of what we do has grown along with him. And just like the boy, TKO is growing fast!

Click the link to hear about TKO’s 2019 impacts and what we are going after for in 2020!

On to 2019, A Letter from TKO’s Executive Director

December 30, 2018 Posted by Newsletter, Winter 2019 0 thoughts on “On to 2019, A Letter from TKO’s Executive Director”

By Steve Kruger, Executive Director, Trailkeepers of Oregon

Before the end of 2018, please consider doing the following three things:

There’s no doubt — Trailkeepers of Oregon (TKO) is on the rise. Word of our mission and dedication to the Oregon hiking experience has traveled fast, due in no small part to all of you, our supporters and volunteers.

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