Uncategorized – Trailkeepers of Oregon

What the Forest Service Trails Crisis Means for TKO
Closing a challenging year, TKO’s Executive Director Steve Kruger shares a critical report from the U.S. Forest Service.

While TKO has seen significant financial support like never before from Oregon’s hikers, we are still shy of meeting our Willamette Week’s Give!Guide goal.
GIVE NOW: TKO seeks to meet the moment in 2026.
The Moment We’re In
Internal reporting from the U.S. Forest Service Trail Program Status Report (Dec. 2025) confirms a reality TKO and our volunteers have been seeing completely changed with decisions by a new administration over the course of this year: trails across the country—and here in Oregon—are deteriorating rapidly due to severe staffing losses, stalled hiring, and compounding deferred maintenance.
Some districts have lost up to 100% of trail staff, trail miles maintained are down 22%, and backcountry routes are being abandoned altogether. Even millions of dollars in federal trail grants have gone unused because agencies lack the staff capacity to administer projects.
The Washington Post summarized the consequences bluntly, warning of “unpassable trails, unsafe bridges, and negative environmental impacts”
as skilled trail workers leave and agencies struggle to keep up.
And now with recent winter storms, Oregon’s trails and access to them are revealing a significant amount of damage due to flooding, surges of rain and water, rock/mud slides, and windblown, downed trees across local, state, and federal lands. The demand for help is high.
What This Means for TKO: The Challenge
- Rising demand, shrinking agency capacity: Land managers increasingly rely on TKO and volunteers to keep trails open, safe, and accessible—but without agency staff and coordination, approvals become harder.
- Higher expectations for nonprofits: Communities expect trails to remain open even as federal capacity declines, placing more responsibility on organizations like TKO.
- Risk of burnout—across systems: Just as agency staff face burnout, volunteers and nonprofit partners can be stretched thin without sustainable funding and support.
What This Means for TKO: The Opportunity
Even the Forest Service report makes one thing clear: partnerships matter more than ever—and TKO is well positioned to lead.
TKO responds through community-powered stewardship:
- Mobilizing trained volunteers: Thousands of volunteer hours annually help clear trails, repair tread, address drainage, and maintain access across Oregon’s national forests and public lands.
- Providing technical trail expertise: As agencies lose skilled staff, TKO helps retain and grow technical trail skills—bridges, rock work, saw, and backcountry maintenance—within the nonprofit and volunteer sector.
- Serving as a trusted partner: TKO helps land managers stretch limited capacity by coordinating crews, managing agreements, and delivering high-quality, on-the-ground results.
- Building long-term resilience: By investing in volunteer leadership, training, and community ownership, TKO helps ensure trails remain cared for even in uncertain funding climates.
Bottom Line
This moment serves as a warning—and a call.
It also confirms with a striking amount of heart, Federal agencies cannot do this work alone. Volunteers cannot replace staff. But together, with the right support, partnerships can stabilize trail systems and protect public access.
For TKO, this is both a challenge and a responsibility—and an opportunity to deepen our role as a steward, connector, and leader for Oregon’s trails.
The need is growing, GIVE NOW! TKO’s service to Oregon’s hiking community is urgent. And the path forward depends on sustained community investment.
Steve Kruger
Executive Director | Trailkeepers of Oregon
TKO’s Board, staff, and lead volunteers met in Cascade Locks during the annual TKO Leadership Summit to engage, learn, and motivate our strategic plans in March 2025. Photo by Dan Sharp
Steve Kruger
December 29, 2025
News, Uncategorized
Week 8
Board Member Spotlight
Vicente Harrison
Vicente Harrison has served on the Trailkeepers of Oregon Board of Directors, including his most recent term as Board President. His leadership reflects the care, experience, and values that help guide TKO’s work across Oregon.
As a Park Ranger in Portland, Vicente brings firsthand insight into how trails shape people’s lives. He has seen how access to outdoor spaces creates connection, healing, and a sense of belonging — not just in remote places, but in the heart of the city. Trails, in his view, are essential infrastructure for both people and communities.
Vicente also recognizes that today’s trail stewardship is part of a much deeper story. The lands TKO works to care for were first stewarded by Indigenous ancestors, whose knowledge and respect for place continue to inform how we approach access and responsibility today.
During his time on the board, Vicente helped guide TKO through growth and change while advocating strongly for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. His leadership emphasized making Oregon’s trails more accessible and welcoming to people of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities.
Some of Vicente’s most meaningful moments with TKO have taken place on trail with his son, Vicente II, who goes by Penny. Volunteering together — learning, giving back, and developing a shared love of the outdoors — has reinforced a core belief that trails are more than paths through the landscape. They are bridges across generations, connecting people to one another and to the places they care about.
As Vicente’s term as Board President comes to a close, his commitment to Trailkeepers of Oregon continues. He remains an active volunteer and lifelong supporter of the organization and its mission to care for trails that are open, safe, and welcoming for all.
“The Trail is the most beautiful bridge to what really matters in life.”
Beatriz Mello
Trail Highlights · Steady Progress in Action
Terry, Mark, and Hazel installing new stairs at Mt. Tabor. Photo: Karen Campbell
Mount Tabor Stairs
TKO staff and volunteers led four days of hands-on training with Portland Parks & Recreation staff, installing new timber box steps to replace ones damaged by erosion. This brand-new curriculum, developed by TKO, trained 17 park staff members and set the stage for future stair replacements where funding allows.
Milo McIver Stairs
Work at Milo McIver focused on improving trail flow and durability in a heavily used park where small fixes make a big difference. These are the kinds of trails people return to again and again — close to home, well loved, and worth taking care of. Supporting this work helps keep everyday access strong and ensures the park remains welcoming for the wide range of users who rely on it year-round.
Bird Alliance of Oregon · Trail Realignment
Over 13 days, TKO staff and volunteers completed a 420-foot trail realignment through steep, eroding terrain. Crews built new tread, constructed rock retaining walls, and planted 75+ native trees and shrubs, while partially decommissioning the old trail to protect habitat and improve sustainability.
Tryon Creek Culvert Project
At Tryon Creek State Natural Area, volunteers helped design and install a culvert solution to divert runoff beneath a heavily used trail — reducing erosion and protecting the tread. One stewardship day included high school students earning graduation credit through our partnership with Aloha High School.
Short Beach (Oregon Coast) · Renewed Beach Access
After months of work, the Short Beach stairs project is complete. Crews rebuilt 121 steps, added a handrail, retaining wall, and seating, and restored safe, reliable access to the beach where a hazardous slope once stood. More than 100 volunteers contributed 1,700+ hours, working alongside local partners to bring this critical coastal access point back into use — a clear example of what sustained stewardship can accomplish.
Each of these projects reflects the same approach: practical design, skilled crews, and collaboration — taking the next right step so trails stay open and resilient.
Donate to Trails
Week 8 Partners
Nonprofit Partner
Bird Alliance of Oregon is thrilled to be part of Give!Guide again this year, bringing partners and supporters together to protect Oregon’s wildlife and wild places. As longtime conservation allies, Bird Alliance and Trailkeepers of Oregon work side by side to care for the landscapes people and wildlife share—especially in urban natural areas where trail stewardship and habitat protection go hand in hand. From maintaining trails at Bird Alliance sites to supporting broader conservation efforts across the state, this partnership reflects the shared belief that caring for trails is part of caring for healthy ecosystems. Supporting one organization helps strengthen the collective work needed to protect Oregon’s natural communities.
Learn more and support Bird Alliance in the Give Guide
Corporate Partner
We’re especially grateful to Jeremy Long and the team at Daybreak Racing for their continuing sponsorship and partnership. Jeremy’s deep roots in Oregon trail running and community — from directing thoughtful, well-produced events like Gorge Waterfalls and other regional races to showing up year after year on the same trails we care for — make Daybreak a genuine force for good in the Pacific Northwest trail world. Their commitment to these landscapes and the people who use them resonates with our own mission, and it’s incredibly rewarding to help shape up the Gorge trails and then see so many trail runners enjoy and celebrate them on race day.
Steven Moore
December 22, 2025
Uncategorized
lb25-week8
Week 7
TKO Board member Martha Calus-McLain and family hiking at Short Beach. Photo by Martha Calus-McLain.
Our Grateful Commitment to Trails
by Martha Calus-McLain, TKO Board of Directors
I used to think hiking was free.
Hiking was fundamentally embedded into my childhood in the Okanogan Highlands of Washington State. My siblings and I spent our free time clamoring over sun baked grassy hills, following deer paths, always vigilant for rattlesnakes, while declaring we were going where no one had ever gone before! Growing up in near-wilderness meant it was easy to take open space for granted.
After college, hiking became a cost effective way to spend time with friends and family while exploring Oregon. Once our family budget included two kids, hiking became an even more important part of our lives and we were regular users of OregonHikers.org. Family day hikes were an inexpensive way to spend a weekend day together, and we took pride in passing on to our kids our love of nature.
Years of hiking in National Forests with my family, I had the epiphany on one occasion that hiking is actually not free.
We were climbing a steep hill deep into a long day hike when we came across some stairs. I stopped my kids to take in the wonder of it.
Those stairs were in that wilderness miles from roads and vehicles because someone carried the materials to that remote spot – for us.
Later that year we made our first modest gift to Trailkeepers of Oregon – we have been annual supporters ever since.
Trail at Chehalem Ridge. Photo by Martha Calus McLain.
Over the past year, as a board member, I’ve learned so much more about TKO and trail work in general, which has enriched our hiking treks.
This year, nearly all trail work in the state of Oregon has been completed by volunteers and now, more than ever, projects are funded with support from private donors, as federal support changes.
I’ve also learned an even greater level of appreciation for those who clear the trials. This year my family admired trail work at Wahclella Falls when we stopped to stretch our legs on a long drive along I84. We climbed Humbug Mountain on the Oregon Coast. We’re regulars at Chehalem Ridge Nature park and we made multiple pilgrimages to Short Beach, near Oceanside.
All of these hikes, along with hundreds of others throughout the state, were possible because TKO volunteers gave their time and energy.
Hiking may come at a relatively low cost to us, but it’s not free – the cost of these extraordinary experiences is covered by volunteers who give us this gift.
We’re deeply grateful and so proud to support TKO to help extend this gift to others. We encourage you to take a moment on your next hike to consider the gift you’ve been given, and perhaps, find your own way to contribute.
Welcoming & Accessible: What That Looks Like This Year
When we say “You Belong on the Trail,” we mean it. Here are a few ways that showed up across Oregon this year:
Accessibility Surveys
On the coast, in the Gorge, and across the state, TKO teams — including Trail Champions — surveyed trailheads and trail segments to identify barriers. This work helps land managers plan improvements so more people can explore confidently.
Trail Champions Listening for Access
Trail Champions don’t just greet hikers — they listen. Their conversations at trailheads shaped how we think about access, safety, and what helps people feel at home outside.
South Slough – Wasson Trail
At South Slough Reserve, Trevor’s crew made trail updates designed for beginners, school groups, and anyone wanting a shorter, quieter outing. A small project with big ripple effects.
Community Support & Mentorship
A huge shoutout to Jennifer Copland of the BIPOC Nature Network for mentoring Champions and helping us deepen our welcoming practices. As Champion Matt said, “It’s people like Jennifer who help us learn how to show up.”
Crew Leaders Creating Welcoming Spaces
Our Crew Leaders and staff work hard to make every volunteer feel at home on the trail. They ask for feedback, honor comfort levels, and keep the focus where it belongs: safety first, fun second — and getting work done a distant third.
DEIB Progress Inside TKO
Welcoming starts within. Guided by our Trail Work / People Work / Systems Work model, TKO staff and board have continued strengthening our internal practices so our values show up in everything we do.
Together, these efforts move us toward a future where the outdoors isn’t just open — it’s inviting.
Donate To Help us Continue This work
Week 7 Nonprofit Partner
This week, we’re highlighting local furniture bank Community Warehouse. Like TKO, their work is about clearing the way so people feel grounded and supported. Community Warehouse provides comfort and dignity inside our neighbors homes by providing them with donated furniture and household goods. Because living in a home without a bed is like hiking without a trail.
Learn more and support Community Warehouse in Give!Guide
Steven Moore
December 15, 2025
Uncategorized
lb25-week7
Week 6
Trailkeeper Spotlight
Sonia Smith-Katakkar
The Trail Champions program is one of TKO’s newest initiatives — a summer internship that brings young adults into the heart of our mission. Champions serve at busy trailheads across Oregon, welcoming hikers, sharing Leave No Trace tips, and connecting people to the stewardship work that keeps trails open and thriving. Along the way, they gain valuable experience in communication, public lands management, and community engagement.
As a Trail Champion, Sonia greeted hikers at trailheads, answered questions, and shared information about TKO and trail restoration. “I greeted hikers at trailheads in Oregon and told them about what to expect as they hiked along. Additionally, I informed them about TKO and trail restoration. I would sit at a booth with a fellow intern and folks approached us with questions and stories.”
Her favorite part of the program was the chance to connect. “I was very excited to share my love of Oregon and wildlife with my community. Being a part of the program, I actually did a lot of learning from my community. I spoke with volunteer members and the park service, and hikers — all who were thrilled and passionate about being out there.”
Trail Ambassadors Warren and Cherie with Trail Champions Sonia and Nalwanga (left to right) at Latourell Falls. Photo by Matt Ruddy.
Sonia says the biggest takeaway was a new perspective on nature: “I took away a further sense of appreciation for nature as a communal space. Speaking with so many people I saw a lot of appreciation and sonder for the beauty we were surrounded by but also a lot of love to spend a weekend hiking and swimming with family and friends.”
One of her favorite discoveries during the summer was Wahclella Falls: “I hadn’t been since childhood, and returning, it became a favorite to table at. It’s a lot of beauty for a mild hike… the views of the forest, the waterfall, during only a couple of miles.”
Sonia is currently studying political science at Loyola University Chicago and plans to pursue law school and continue learning about immigration and advocacy. She says the program also gave her a strong support system: “Matt Ruddy strongly advocates for the interns (us). He is helpful, communicative, and when I have approached him about wanting to learn or try something, he always makes it happen.”
Her advice for future Trail Champions? “Take time to get to know their awesome fellow interns and always bring a snack and lunch.” (Her favorite? Rice crackers and rice snacks.)
For Sonia, one standout moment was meeting hikers from out of state: “Speaking with hikers from Philadelphia about their plans, and getting to recommend more hikes for their trip. It was interesting hearing about their experience in the Pacific Northwest and I like being able to help them out!”
Donate to Trails
Week 6 Partners
Nonprofit Partner
Few places embody Portland’s connection to nature like Forest Park — and few organizations protect that connection like Forest Park Conservancy.
Our partnership with FPC has included trail assessments, stewardship training, and DEI collaborations — all aimed at keeping this beloved urban wilderness healthy and welcoming. Together, FPC and TKO are demonstrating what local, community-driven stewardship looks like in action.
Corporate Partner
Beneficial State Bank is proof that finance can fuel good. Their mission — to build prosperity in our communities through responsible banking — aligns perfectly with TKO’s values of stewardship and inclusion. By supporting Legacy Builders, they’re helping us invest in Oregon’s future: safe, sustainable, and accessible trails for everyone.
Steven Moore
December 5, 2025
Uncategorized
LB25-Week6
Week 5
TKO Board member Ginny Sorensen at a trail party at Beaver Creek. Photo by Susan Schen.
Board Member Spotlight
Ginny Sorensen
Trail crew member, volunteer leader, and board member
Ginny first found Trailkeepers of Oregon during the pandemic, when she was looking for a way to connect safely with others and spend time outside. What began as three trail parties in the Columbia River Gorge quickly became a weekend ritual. “I told myself I’d go three times to give it a good try,” she says. “That summer, I was out almost every weekend.” Before long, she was trained on the crosscut saw and helping lead crews.
Joining the TKO Board came later, when she wanted to bring her background in nonprofit program management to something more meaningful. “My corporate job wasn’t feeding my soul,” she explains. “I really believe in TKO as an organization and wanted to be part of its growth.”
For Ginny, the rewards come in two forms: seeing the dedication of TKO’s volunteers and staff, and feeling the tangible results of the work. “When my paid work feels abstract, trail work brings real, concrete results,” she says. “There’s a sense of camaraderie and accomplishment that’s hard to match.”
Growing up on California’s North Coast, surrounded by redwoods and elk, Ginny didn’t realize how much those early experiences would shape her later connection to the outdoors. Today, she finds meaning in how trail work reconnects her to her late father, who worked in forestry. “He’d be proud to see me out here using a crosscut saw,” she says.
As a board member, Ginny is proud of TKO’s inclusive culture: “I was nervous at first, not knowing anyone or anything about trail work — or if I’d feel out of place as a woman. But everyone was so welcoming. Seeing women in leadership roles really made me feel comfortable jumping in.”
Her hope for the future is grounded in community and growth: “We’ve weathered tough challenges before and come back stronger. The more people we can pull under the tent, the more we can expand access to the incredible trails we have here in Oregon.”When she’s not volunteering or helping guide TKO’s mission, you’ll find Ginny exploring the Eagle Cap Wilderness in the Wallowas — her favorite corner of Oregon — or rewarding herself with her favorite trail snack: gummy worms. “They don’t even taste good at home,” she laughs, “but on the trail, they’re perfect.”
Trailkeepers at Vista Ridge. Photo by Hazel Gross.
Trail Highlights
Burnt Lake · Mt. Hood National Forest
A three-day Backcountry Stewardship Trip brought together eight volunteers — including three teens new to TKO — for a weekend of hands-on learning and team spirit. Crews brushed the loop around the lake, added drainage to muddy sections, and rebuilt tread on a switchback. Between games of Farkle and cold dips in the lake, they made real progress toward stabilizing the trail for the coming winter rains.
Image Creek · Table Rock Wilderness
Led by Josh Durham, TKO volunteers spent two days brushing out dense vegetation along this steep two-mile section that rises a thousand feet from trailhead to ridge. Overgrown brush and fallen logs had turned the route into a tunnel of salal and vine maple; by the end of the weekend, it was transformed into a safe, clear path with sweeping views — a markedly different experience for hikers and horse riders alike.
Vista Ridge · Mt. Hood National Forest
Home to TKO’s longest-running volunteer tradition, the “Old Vista Ridge Trail Party” celebrated its 17th year of care for this iconic Gorge-to-Peak route. Volunteers removed downed trees, repaired erosion, and cleared brush to keep access open to Owl Point — and to the spectacular views that make this trail a beloved destination.
Wilderness Ambassadors + Trail Champions
From Timberline and Ramona Falls to Drift Creek and the Coast Range, TKO’s Wilderness Ambassadors and Trail Champions serve as the eyes and ears of our public lands. This season, they engaged with more than 1,500 hikers, shared Leave No Trace principles, dismantled illegal fire rings, and reported hazards to land managers. Their presence keeps visitors safe and trails protected in some of Oregon’s most loved and fragile wild places.
Donate to projects like these!
Week 5 Partners
Nonprofit Partner
The Salmonberry Trail Foundation is restoring a historic rail corridor into an 82-mile multi-use path linking the Willamette Valley to the Oregon Coast. By reconnecting communities and opening new pathways for education, recreation, and economic growth, they’re helping Oregon’s trail network reach its full potential.
Corporate Partner
Skip the parking hassle and ride with Sasquatch Shuttle — connecting visitors to the Historic Columbia River Highway’s most beloved trails and waterfalls. By reducing traffic and trailhead congestion, Sasquatch Shuttle is helping protect the Gorge while making it easier for everyone to explore.
Steven Moore
December 1, 2025
Uncategorized
lb25-week5
Week 4
Staff Spotlight
Trevor Bradford
South Coast Stewardship Coordinator
Trevor Bradford has built a life around the outdoors. Before joining the TKO staff, he worked as a wildland firefighter and kayak guide — experiences that shaped his love of teamwork, resilience, and being outside in wild places. When he discovered TKO, he found a perfect match: meaningful work, community, and a way to give back.
“Doing fun things in the woods with cool people is a much better alternative to a life spent inside all day staring at a screen,” Trevor says. “There’s something magical in trailwork that builds teams, helps the community, and helps you go to bed tired and stoked at the end of each day.”
As a crew leader, Trevor’s approach is rooted in trust and empowerment. He points folks in the right direction, keeps safety at the center, and encourages everyone to bring their ideas to the table. “Most humans are capable of thinking for themselves without an overbearing leader,” he explains. “I facilitate, but I let the crew improvise and shine.”
One highlight of his time with TKO was building stairs at Fort Point Bluff in Port Orford. “It was a tangible project that people really seemed to like. So many of our trail maintenance projects are ongoing, but this was something lasting the community could use right away.”
Outside of trailwork, Trevor finds the same kind of joy and focus in surfing Oregon’s coastline. Whether on the water or the trail, his passion is the same: being present in nature, sharing it with others, and protecting access for the future.
“Spending time in nature is critical for a healthy body, mind, and soul,” Trevor says. “TKO gets you out there.”
Portland metro impact
This year, TKO volunteers helped design a new trail connection with Columbia Land Trust, taught step-building techniques to Portland Parks & Recreation staff at Mount Tabor, and created erosion solutions at Tryon Creek State Natural Area — even bringing in high school students through a stewardship partnership. Crews also teamed up with Wisdom of the Elders for culturally grounded trail care at Mount Talbert, and worked with Bird Alliance of Oregon to realign a steep, eroding trail — including rock wall construction and planting more than 75 native trees and shrubs.
Different projects, same outcome: better access, stronger partnerships, and more people caring for their local trails.
Week 4 Partners
Nonprofit Partner
For 24 years, Crag has provided free and low-cost legal services to help Tribes, conservation groups, and community advocates defend Oregon’s air, water, and climate. They stand with Portland communities — and with groups like TKO — to protect the places that make Oregon home.
Right now, Crag is helping defend Forest Park, one of Portland’s most beloved wild spaces, against industrial development that would destroy trees, fill wetlands, and harm wildlife habitat. Their mission is clear: use the power of law to protect Oregon’s ecosystems, climate, and communities — and ensure access to healthy outdoor spaces for all.
Support Crag’s work through GiveGuide.
Corporate Partner
From the trail to the town, Trailkeepers Clothing helps people wear their love for the outdoors — and give back to it. Founded by Ian Landi, a lifelong nature lover with a background in conservation and science, the brand’s mission is simple: celebrate wild places and help protect them. Each design reflects the beauty of the natural world, and a portion of every sale supports conservation organizations working to preserve it — including groups like TKO. For Ian, it’s more than business. It’s a way to inspire connection, stewardship, and care for the lands and creatures we share this planet with.
Steven Moore
November 24, 2025
Uncategorized
lb25-Week4
TKO on the Trail: Reflections from the 2025 Oregon Trails Coalition Summit in Pendleton
November 6–8, 2025: Pendleton, Oregon
Trailkeepers of Oregon (TKO) was proud to join partners from across the state for the 2025 Oregon Trails Coalition (OTC) Summit in Pendleton. As a sponsor, planning partner, and session leader, our staff, board, and lead volunteers helped shape an inspiring few days that celebrated collaboration, learning, and the shared stewardship of Oregon’s trails.
Gathering Partners in Uncertain Times
The Summit opened with a Federal Stewardship Partners Mini-Summit at the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, bringing together nonprofit and tourism collaborators for informal updates and scenario planning amid ongoing federal funding uncertainty. Before the full Summit kicked off, TKO joined partners for a Federal Stewardship Partners Mini-Summit at the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, where participants strengthened collaboration amid the uncertainty of the ongoing federal shutdown.
Highlights included:
- Partner updates and discussion on current challenges in volunteer-powered stewardship.
- A shared federal update and training with Guides & Outfitters.
- Networking lunch hosted by Travel Oregon, fostering candid peer exchange.
- Strategy session on scenario planning and future partnership models.
- Exploration of cost-share and Good Neighbor Authority opportunities.
- A visit to the Tamástslikt exhibits, honoring the region’s deep cultural and ecological roots.
Tamástslikt Cultural Institute offered participants of the mini-summit free access to the museum, broadening our awareness of the families, bands, and tribes of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla. This message on display was of significant relevance to the annual gathering of the Oregon Outdoor Recreation Summit.
Even with agency participation limited by furloughs, the mini-summit underscored the strength of Oregon’s trail network resilient: strong relationships, creative partnerships, and a deep bench of dedicated volunteers and organizations ready to adapt.
The Main Summit: Collaboration in Action
Over the following three days, the Oregon Outdoor Recreation Summit convened hundreds of leaders—trail organizations, land managers, tribal representatives, local governments, and advocates—to explore how Oregon’s trail systems can better serve people, communities, and the environment.
Core Themes That Resonated
1. Equity and Inclusion in the Outdoors – Sessions explored how to remove barriers and build welcoming environments on and off the trail.
2. Resilience in Stewardship – Participants shared adaptive strategies for working within changing federal and state frameworks while sustaining volunteer power.
3. Economic and Community Vitality – Trails were highlighted as drivers for rural prosperity, cultural connection, and public health.
4. Shared Leadership Across Sectors – The Summit emphasized distributed leadership and durable partnerships among nonprofits, agencies, and local communities.
TKO Highlights: Sharing our Impacts
TKO team members played key roles throughout:
- Breakout Leadership: Staff and volunteers co-facilitated sessions on volunteer leadership development, inclusive access, and sustainable maintenance systems.
- Strategic Conversations: TKO’s executive and board leaders joined discussions on shared stewardship models, statewide funding strategies, and collaboration with rural and tribal communities.
- Hands-On Field Work: Volunteers rolled up their sleeves for Pendleton-area trail projects, linking the Summit’s big ideas directly to on-the-ground action.
Jessica Carrillo Alatorre, TKO Incoming Board President, was an OORS planning member and volunteered to write the Community Agreements, making sure that during very derisive political atmospheres across the country, all the participants at the summit felt welcome, safe, and supportive.
Matt Ruddy, TKO Program Director, hosted a number things, sharing the Accessibility survey criteria from Access Recreation along the Pendleton River Walk trail right in town, co-hosting a BIPOC Nature Network Affinity Lunch, and on a panel for the Love Is King, Freedom to Roam project he was a part of.
Noelle Windesheim, TKO Central Coast Stewardship Coordinator, Tidepools to Trails events with Cape Perpetua Collaborative, she presented on her the partnership to bring volunteers to the stunning central Oregon Coast for an unforgettable day of tidepool exploration and trail stewardship.
Steve Kruger, TKO Executive Director, was offered to help co-lead a Federal partners group to shape the future of any statewide funding agreements. He also moderated a breakout session on OSU’s Recreative Recovery program on wildfire recovery and co-hosted a post-summit trail party with the Blue Mountain land Trust Blues Crew.
15 TKO staff, Board, and lead volunteers represented at the Summit, volunteering at the welcome table, Office Hours breakout session, and networked with dozens of folks across agencies, tourism, partners, and many other outdoor recreation professionals.
Looking Ahead: Applying the Learnings
The energy and ideas from Pendleton are already informing TKO’s 2026 priorities:
- Grow and Sustain Volunteer Power through improved training, leadership pipelines, and recognition.
- Strengthen Structures and Culture to balance capacity and care within our capable organizations, strained agencies, and growing needs for Oregon’s trails and outdoor places.
- Championing Resilience for Oregon’s Outdoors by aligning partnerships, funding, and field operations for long-term sustainability.
Together, these commitments reflect what we heard loud and clear in Pendleton: Oregon’s trails thrive when collaboration is intentional, inclusive, and community-driven. And 2026’s Oregon Outdoor Recreation Summit location and dates were announced – OORS is heading to Ashland October 22-24, 2026!
Gratitude
Thank you to the Oregon Trails Coalition, Travel Oregon, Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, and all the sponsors, partners, and participants who made the 2025 Summit a success. And special thanks to the TKO staff, board, and volunteer leaders who showed up with curiosity, expertise, and dedication—continuing our mission to protect and enhance the Oregon hiking experience.
We’re returning from Pendleton re-energized and ready for the work ahead—on the trail, in our communities, and alongside the partners who make it all possible.
TKO staff, Board, and lead volunteers bringing the fun at the Oregon Outdoor Recreation Summit! Photo by Dan Sharp.
Steve Kruger
November 12, 2025
News, Uncategorized
Advocacy
Week 2
Staff Spotlight
Josh Durham
West Cascades Stewardship Coordinator
When Josh Durham first discovered TKO through posts on OregonHikers.org, he was looking for a way to stay active and connected during a difficult personal time. What he found was more than trail work — it was a community. “I absolutely fell in love with trailwork, and the folks involved,” Josh says. Not long after, TKO’s Executive Director invited him into a leadership role, and Josh became a Gorge Forest Service intern.
Since then, Josh has become known for his thoughtful, inclusive approach to leadership. “My first and foremost concern is volunteer experience,” he explains. “Our intention is to craft events people want to come back to, which means we really need to dial into our core principles of safety, fun, service, in that order.”
Creating a welcoming space is central to his style. Josh describes his leadership as “by committee,” where everyone’s ideas are valued. He works especially hard to amplify voices from underserved communities, and makes a point to listen and try new approaches, even if they challenge his own assumptions.
That openness has shaped his teaching philosophy as well. “I try to be mindful of instructing when that instruction seems welcome,” he says. “Some people want to work out an issue on their own, others are open to feedback. Asking if I can share a trick I’ve picked up is crucial — and sometimes letting people slip up and find their own way back is the best way to learn.”
Some moments have left a lasting impact. Josh recalls a conversation with a volunteer who said she’d “never been to an event where a man didn’t take the tool from her hands to demonstrate a skill.” That struck a chord and changed the way he approaches instruction, focusing even more on empowerment and respect.
On the lighter side, he remembers reopening Angel’s Rest in 2018 with a TKO crew, where dozens of hikers stopped to thank them on their way past. “It felt really good to have such immediate positive feedback on all our hard work,” he says.
When asked what he appreciates most about TKO, Josh doesn’t hesitate: “Giving people the opportunity to give back to the public spaces we love so much, creating advocates out of everyday hikers.” Looking forward, he’s hopeful that more attention will be paid to the maintenance backlog on public lands, and he sees promise in the next generation of stewards. “They’re all too aware of the mess they’ll be handed,” he says, “and they’ve already shown an awareness the previous generations lacked.”
And of course, a few personal notes: Josh’s favorite tool is the crosscut saw (“CROSSCUT SAWS!!!”), his go-to trail snack is Pringles, and when he’s not leading trail crews you might find him on the disc golf course, out backpacking, or playing bass in his local indie garage rock band Arms for Legs.
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Feature Project
Wahkeena Falls Trail — Steady Hands on a Steep Slope
The switchbacks above Wahkeena Falls in the Columbia River Gorge are among Oregon’s most beloved — and most heavily used — trails. After years of storms, slides, and foot traffic, the tread had eroded into a slick and hazardous slope.
This spring, TKO volunteers led by crew leader Hope McKee spent weeks bringing it back to life. They installed cedar cribbing and curb logs, stabilized the hillside, and reshaped washed-out tread to improve drainage and footing.
Photos by Hope McKee
“It’s the kind of work you don’t notice when it’s done right,” Hope says. “But it means hikers can pass safely, even after heavy rain or snow. We had a ton of grateful hikers stopping to say thanks.”
Along the way, the crew hauled logs by rope puller, repaired switchbacks, and caught glimpses of a downy woodpecker family nesting near the site — a reminder that when we care for the trail, we care for the habitat around it too.
Projects like Wahkeena show how every hour and every donation builds safer, more resilient access to Oregon’s scenic treasures.
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Week 2 Partners
Nonprofit Partner
Trailkeepers of Oregon and Friends of the Columbia Gorge share a common goal: keeping this iconic landscape both wild and welcoming. While Friends leads advocacy, conservation, and trail planning across the Gorge, TKO brings the volunteer power and technical know-how to make that vision real on the ground.
From the Wahkeena–Larch corridor to Mosier Plateau, our collaboration ensures that new and restored trails are built with care — balancing access, safety, and ecological protection. Together, we’re shaping the future of the Gorge for generations of hikers to come.
Corporate Partner
Pelican Brewing’s connection to Oregon’s coast runs deep. They know that clean water, healthy forests, and thriving trails make Oregon what it is — and they’ve long supported stewardship projects that bring people together outdoors. This season, their partnership helps fuel the crews and community that keep Oregon’s scenic trails in top shape.
Steven Moore
November 4, 2025
Uncategorized
LB25-Week2
TKO Update 10/14/2025: When the Rules Change, Volunteer Stewardship During a Federal Shutdown
Message from Steve Kruger, Executive Director, Trailkeepers of Oregon
Trailkeepers of Oregon (TKO) shares an update on the 2025 federal shutdown and new Forest Service guidance that allows certain volunteer trail work to continue — a first in TKO’s partnership history with the Forest Service. Learn how this confusing moment is also an opportunity for shared stewardship.
TKO is moving forward with a case-by-case approach to volunteer activities during the ongoing federal government shutdown.
This means that while most TKO projects on National Forest lands will remain on pause, a limited number may continue only where we have clear, written approval from local Forest Service contacts and safety coverage is confirmed. At the same time, we are ramping up projects on State Parks and local public lands to ensure our volunteers can keep caring for Oregon’s trails safely and responsibly.
Our decisions are guided by TKO’s values of safety, stewardship, and partnership. We know some partner organizations are taking different paths, and as federal guidance evolves, we may adjust our approach. For now, this plan allows TKO to continue making progress while prioritizing volunteer safety and long-term trust with our agency partners.
Thank you for your patience and flexibility while we navigate this.
Shutdown or not, Oregon’s trails deserve care — but how we care for them matters. For the first time since TKO became a nonprofit partner of the U.S. Forest Service in 2007, there is new guidance that volunteers would be allowed to continue some trail work during a federal government shutdown.
That’s a big shift. In every past shutdown, all volunteer activities on federal lands were halted. This year, new federal guidance permits certain pre-funded partnerships and projects to move forward — creating both confusion and opportunity.
Why This Moment Is Confusing
The official Forest Service “Lapse in Appropriations” guidance, released October 3rd, and clarified further on October 8th, allows work tied to existing agreements to continue. Lines between essential, pre-approved, and externally funded projects are blurry, leaving partners like TKO to interpret changing rules in real time. Clarification on October 8th is confirming that those agreements to support cooperative partners will be honored. With many of the agency staff we typically communicate with furloughed, we are working to verify oversight to keep volunteers safe and reimbursements for services continuing without delay.
“We’re in uncharted territory. Our goal is to keep volunteers safe and our organization supported.”
Why It’s Also an Opportunity
This situation underscores what makes the TKO community special — the ability to step up for Oregon’s trails when they need it most.
- Self-reliance and shared stewardship: Communities caring for public lands show resilience and ownership of natural resources.
- Cost efficiency: Volunteer service activities can keep some essential maintenance happening and support visitors.
- Continuity of access: Keeping trails open supports public health, wellness, and outdoor connection.
- Support for local economies: Maintained trails help sustain nearby small businesses and rural tourism.
“When public systems pause, community action can keep Oregon’s hiking experience alive.”
Why Caution Still Matters
Even as we see opportunity, there are serious considerations:
- Filling gaps too effectively could reduce public awareness of how disruptive shutdowns are for land management and agency staff.
- Public perception may portray that everything is just fine with toilet paper rolls being replaced by a skeleton crew of agency staff and trails cleared by volunteers, continuing volunteer work can blur the line between community service and replacing furloughed staff.
- Safety, liability, and reimbursement for organizations are uncertain, with approvals going to the email addresses of staff we know to be furloughed.
- Annual work planning and long term trail system improvements are being ignored out of an urgency to keep facilities clean and trails safe, losing ground on enhancing the Oregon hiking experience.
Finding Balance
TKO’s approach will be measured and transparent. We’ll continue work that is clearly permitted and safe, while pausing projects where direction remains unclear. We’ll share updates as federal guidance evolves and keep our volunteers and partners informed every step of the way.
This is a moment to show that shared stewardship is more than words — it’s a community value that persists even in uncertainty.
“The Oregon hiking experience depends on all of us — caring, cautiously, and together.”
Call to Action: How You Can Help
- Stay flexible: Trail projects may change with little notice — check the TKO volunteer calendar for updates and monitor your email for changes to trail parties you’ve signed up for.
- Stay informed: Read our previous post, Update on Potential Federal Shutdown, for context on what TKO expected and USDA Forest Service Updated Partnership Guidance, for where we are now.
- Stay concerned: The perception is that everything is just fine, toilet paper rolls are full and immediate trail repairs might be fixed, but the toll on the remaining staff on duty is high and we are not taking the long view in planning for the protection and enhancement of Oregon’s trails.
- Stay engaged: Support our mission to protect and enhance Oregon’s hiking experience by donating or volunteering when projects resume in full.
Together, we’re proving that Oregon’s trail community is resilient — even when the path forward isn’t perfectly clear.
Steve Kruger
October 14, 2025
Advocacy, News, Uncategorized
Advocacy, Press
Oregon Hikers Week 5
2 Mt. Hood Hikes Worth the Trek
Vista Ridge to Elk Cove
Looking for a stunning route to Elk Cove that avoids the crowds and tough crossings? This approach via Vista Ridge is a favorite among seasoned hikers. It offers a steady, moderate climb through high country forests recovering from the 2011 Dollar Lake Fire, with wildflowers thriving in the reopened meadows. As you climb toward timberline, the views unfold: glacier-carved valleys, expansive ridges, and eventually Elk Cove itself—one of the most breathtaking alpine meadows on the mountain. Unlike the Cloud Cap route, this trail skips tricky glacial stream crossings and dusty canyon traverses, offering a more peaceful, rewarding path to the same spectacular destination.
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Old Vista Ridge to Owl Point
Few hikes offer this much reward for so little effort. The Old Vista Ridge Trail was lost to time until a group of dedicated volunteers uncovered and restored it in 2007—an effort that ultimately gave rise to Trailkeepers of Oregon. Their work reopened a path to stunning Owl Point, with sweeping views of Mount Hood, Laurance Lake, and the Hood River Valley. This is a hike through history and high country: a mellow ramble along wildflower meadows and talus slopes, where old lookout phone lines still peek from the trees and every overlook tells a story. Officially adopted by the USFS in 2018, this trail is one of our proudest successes. The view from Owl Point in the late afternoon light? Unforgettable.
Read More
Photo by Dan Sharp
Volunteer Spotlight: Hope McKee
Hope McKee didn’t expect that a simple invitation from a friend would change her life—but that first TKO trail party after the Eagle Creek Fire was just the beginning.
“What kept me coming back was the people,” Hope says. “Everyone was so welcoming—and being in the woods has always been my happy place.”
Since then, Hope has helped lead crews across Oregon, tackling everything from clearing giant trees on the Salmon River Trail to building gabions on the Oneonta Trail. Along the way, trail work gave her something she didn’t expect: confidence.
“I’m not a natural leader, but leading crews gave me a ton of confidence—and some amazing friends.”
Her advice to new volunteers?
“Go for it. It’s fun, we’re nice—and we’ll give you chocolate.”
Hope’s favorite part of TKO is seeing people find connection and purpose through trails—then coming back again and again.
Read the full story →
Photo by Cheryl Hill
Four Fire Lookouts Worth the Hike
Trail advocate, author, and longtime TKO volunteer Cheryl Hill has visited more than 100 fire lookouts across Oregon. She’s passionate about the stories these places hold—and the trail work that keeps them accessible.
In her latest feature, Cheryl shares four Cascade fire lookouts you can hike to this summer, each offering sweeping views, rich history, and a reminder of what dedicated volunteers help preserve.
Read Cheryl’s full fire lookout feature →
Steven Moore
May 29, 2025
Uncategorized
Week5