WEEK 3: ELOWAH FALLS & SILVER FALLS

First 100 donors receive an Stumptown Coffee Card

$30+ donations also get entered to win a Stumptown Camp Brew Kit & Coffee

DONATE

Drawing of the Stumptown Camp Brew Kit will be done at TKO’s Builders Keepers event at Dig A Pony Bar, 5-8PM. Come join us for a special evening of rubbing elbows with all of our supporters! (attendance not a requirement to win)

TKO BUILDERS KEEPERS HIKE & SOCIAL 12/1

Can’t give $? Volunteer at the TKO + Stumptown trail party and be entered to win Stumptown Camp Brewkit..

TKO + STUMPTOWN TRAIL PARTY 11/20

Care for our connections to Oregon’s scenic sites.

Waterfalls throughout our landscape are as iconic as the Douglas fir tree. We celebrate them with great fanfare as a quintessential outdoor highlight to be sought after, connected to and protected. When the Eagle Creek fire swept through the waterfall corridor of the Columbia River Gorge, it was a moment that swept our breath away and we all wondered when we’d be able to see those falling waters once again. In the meantime, the waterfall destinations elsewhere in the state saw an even greater visitation. Trails connecting to these scenic sites are in constant need of keepers to tend to their care.

Elowah Falls, at John B. Yeon State Recreation Corridor is part of a waterfall hunter’s punch card. Gorge Trail #400 and other connective trails were closed due to the fire. Elowah Falls is still closed, testament to the damage incurred and the fragility of the Columbia Gorge landscape. So much natural beauty, unique ecosystems and historical marvels are at play,  we’ve steadily stacked thousands of rocks to build back this trail. 2020 will see this trail possibly open due in no small part to our TKO Rock Team of volunteers. Turning our sites to the central valley, Silver Falls State Park is the flagship of the Oregon State Parks system and a waterfall alley all on its own. We’ve just started in there and we are seeking the support to keep on keeping.

SUCCESS:

ELOWAH & SILVER FALLS

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Feet of Trails Improved

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Stewardship Events

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Volunteer Participants

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In Kind Value of Volunteer Time

THE COLUMBIA GORGE:

A BIG PILE OF ROCKS!

The Eagle Creek fire burned away the carpet of moss that acted as the glue holding in place endless hills of rocks that ultimate make up the landscape. At Elowah Falls, other Gorge Trail #400 segments and connective trails, scree zones were exposed and rock slides occurred. Meanwhile, an era of trail building from the 1930s was revealed. Out of necessity, a mighty force of trail builders honed skills in dry rock stacking. A number of trails are cleaned up, but the fragility of this place will likely see more rocks spill over our trails. Somebody needs to stack them up again, that’s where we can help.

TKO + STUMPTOWN TRAIL PARTY 11/20 @ ELOWAH FALLS

SILVER FALLS

BUILDING TRUST & MORE CREW LEADERS

TKO has been a nonprofit for just over 12 years. We are Portland-based, but that is now changing and we are growing our geographic reach. Oregon State Parks has been a gateway for our growth, taking our strong partnerships with parks in the Portland/Gorge region and letting that trust spread to other parks. With strong relationships to precede us, stewardship growth can only happen through recruiting and training more volunteer leaders. The only reason we are able to start in at Silver Falls is because local leaders stepped up to the challenge. TKO’s strong relationships with park staff confident in our work. TKO has established a leadership training series, next class is this week! Join us to do more for trails.

TKO LEADERSHIP LAB - 11/23 @ TILLAMOOK FOREST CENTER

Latest News

Trail Ambassadors are getting ready to launch!

By Loren Payne

Spring is quickly approaching! That means before we know it, Trailkeepers of Oregon will be kicking off another Trail Ambassador season. Through partnerships with the U.S. Forest Service, Oregon State Parks, the Mt. Hood – Columbia River Gorge Tourism Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, and Friends of the Columbia River Gorge, Trail Ambassadors will take to trails beginning April 22nd to engage with trail users across the state. We are always looking to grow our team – if you’ve been looking to give back to the trails you love, we want you on board!

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@ by Natalie Ferraro

Family Friendly Events are Back!

An adult holds a fern while a child uses lopper to cut it at the base.

Join TKO on the last Sunday of each month to learn all about trail stewardship!

By Natalie Ferraro

Trailkeepers is excited to once again be offering Family Friendly trail parties for 2023. These events are a chance for kids of all ages to learn some of the basics of trail stewardship, spend quality time with family and friends outdoors, and learn the value of taking care of a place they love. We think our Family Friendly trail parties are some of the best fun you can have on a Sunday, but you don’t have to take our world for it. We asked TKO volunteer Jon and his son Liam to share why they love volunteering with TKO. […]

@ by Natalie Ferraro

Safety, Fun, Service – becoming a TKO Crew Leader

A close up of two faces. One person wears a blue jacket and a yellow hat, the other wears a yellow jacket and an orange hat. They both have dirt on their faces and are smiling.

Being a Crew Leader with TKO is rewarding work and comes with a fun and supportive community that can’t wait to welcome you!

by Elaine Keavney and Loren Payne

So you’ve earned your green hat, and are getting “hooked” on trail stewardship.  As you get to know your crew leaders, do you find yourself wondering whether leading a crew would be something you would enjoy? Read on for some information about leading crews, and what you need to do if you would like to become a TKO crew leader!

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@ by Natalie Ferraro
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