Trails need your Help

At its heart, Trailkeepers of Oregon is an invitation — to show up, lend a hand, and know that you belong outside. Every trail party, every ambassador shift, every volunteer who steps forward reminds us that Oregon’s trails are cared for by people who believe in connection, access, and shared stewardship.

When you give, you’re not just supporting trail work — you’re joining a community that builds something lasting. Legacy Builders is about creating a future where everyone has access to safe, welcoming trails, cared for by those who love them.

Your support keeps that legacy growing even when public funding shifts or agency resources fall short.

Together, we keep the work going.

Why we’re asking hikers to step up for trails

Legacy Builders 2025 is here! From now through December 31, our goal is to raise $150,000 to help keep Oregon’s trails open, safe, and welcoming for everyone.

When you give, you’re fueling trail access across Oregon — training volunteers, building partnerships, and caring for the landscapes that connect us.

Matching Fund

Thanks to generous support from TKO donors and corporate sponsors, the first $75,000 of donations are being matched. Double your impact for trails, and give today!

Ways to Give

This year, you can donate to TKO directly, right on this page, or make your donation through Willamette Week’s Give!Guide, in order to support multiple nonprofits at once. Of our $150,000 campaign goal, we hope to raise $25,000 through Give!Guide.

Donating through a donor-advised fund? TKO’s tax ID number is 27-1209205.

Week 1: Nov 2-8

You Belong on the Trail

Photo by Debbie Asakawa

Ambassadors in Action

Every welcoming trailhead starts with a friendly face. TKO Ambassadors greet hikers, answer questions, and share Leave No Trace tips — helping everyone feel safe, informed, and connected on Oregon’s trails.

Your support keeps these programs thriving — so when someone steps onto the trail for the first time, there’s a smiling volunteer ready to say, “Welcome.”

Your donation fuels training, coordination, and year-round stewardship.
Together, we make Oregon’s trails places where everyone belongs.

Noelle Windesheim, Central Coast Stewardship Coordinator, with Trailkeepers at Sweet Creek Falls.

TRAILKEEPER Spotlight

Meet Noelle Windesheim

If you’ve ever joined a trail party on the Oregon Coast, you may have already met Noelle — one of TKO’s bright, welcoming crew leaders who makes every volunteer feel like they belong.

Noelle first discovered TKO when she applied for a staff role coordinating projects on the Central and North Coasts. The mission to protect and enhance Oregon’s trails — with a strong focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion — resonated deeply with her background in volunteer management. She jumped right in, and leadership quickly became part of her trail stewardship journey.

Her leadership philosophy is simple: volunteers first. Safety and trail work are always important, but for Noelle, the priority is making sure people are comfortable, supported, and having fun. “If volunteers are having a good time,” she says, “the work will follow.” That means greeting people warmly at the trailhead, checking in on those who might be hanging back, and encouraging everyone to try something new at their own pace.

One of her favorite memories is from a trail party at Sutton Creek. A volunteer who had joined several times before finally had the chance to use a crosscut saw — something they’d been waiting for. Their face lit up as they helped cut through a downed log for the first time. At the next event, they brought their parent and asked, “Can we hike by the log I cut so I can show them?” That small but powerful moment captured what trail work can be: a chance to connect, build confidence, and create pride that lasts long after the day is done.

Noelle is also passionate about projects that protect Oregon’s wild places. She points to the Harris Ranch Trail in a coastal wilderness area as especially meaningful. Over two years, she’s helped transform sections that were unsafe and even dangerous into safer, more welcoming routes. For her, it’s not just about clearing tread — it’s about preserving access to fragile, special landscapes and making sure more people can experience their beauty.

We’re grateful for Noelle’s leadership, her laughter, and the inclusive spirit she brings to every trail project. She’s living proof that when volunteers feel seen, supported, and celebrated, they don’t just build better trails — they build stronger communities.

Donate to Trails

Week 1 Partners

nonprofit partner

We’re proud to stand alongside People of Color Outdoors (POCO), a Portland-based organization creating belonging, confidence, and joy for BIPOC families in nature. POCO leads more than 60 outings each year that teach outdoor skills, build community, and nurture future stewards of the land. Together, TKO and POCO are working to make Oregon’s trails more inclusive — spaces where everyone feels welcome to explore, connect, and care for the earth.

Corporate partner

Oregon Tool has been one of TKO’s strongest allies in building trail skills across the state. From hosting saw-maintenance trainings at their Portland headquarters to donating products and joining us on the ground for certification courses, their partnership helps volunteers and staff work safely and effectively. Through their t.r.e.e. Initiative, Oregon Tool is committed to making a positive impact on people, communities, and landscapes — and this season, their support continues to sharpen our impact by equipping the people who keep Oregon’s trails open.

Week 2: Nov 9-15

Scenic Oregon