Oregon’s Trails are in Jeopardy

TKO has always stepped up where federal resources fall short, but the current funding crisis is putting Oregon’s trails—and our ability to maintain them—at serious risk.

A Looming Crisis for Public Lands

Federal budget cuts and layoffs have eliminated thousands of agency jobs, including recreation managers, trail crews, and wildfire mitigation teams—the very people who keep our trails safe, accessible, and well-maintained. Certain Ranger Districts report they have no dedicated trails staff. With another round of cuts expected, it’s becoming clear that nearly 100% of trail maintenance on National Forest lands will rely on volunteers.

Nearly $500,000 in federal funding awarded to TKO is stalled, delayed, or in question. Every $1 to TKO nearly doubles out to trails. These funds are tied to TKO’s commitments to:

• Over 170 trail days & trainings from Great American Outdoors Act deferred maintenance funding for restoring trails in multiple National Forests across the state.
• Over 100 trail days & Ambassador activities through Title II Rural Schools, Roads & Trails grants for maintenance and visitor services in Siuslaw and Mt. Hood National Forests.
• Over 50 trail days through disaster relief funds to perform wildfire restoration in Mt. Hood NF, critical for post-fire trail recovery.
• Over 50 volunteers and professionals to issue saw certifications in Deschutes NF, essential for training sawyers who clear downed trees on popular trails like the Pacific Crest Trail.
• Over an estimated 3,000 volunteer participants maintaining and restoring trails, engaging visitors at trailheads and the backcountry with an in-kind labor value of over $800,000 to keep Oregon’s trails safe and welcoming before/during your next hiking adventures.
• Even $50,000 in services we’ve already provided is unpaid due to government delays the first 3 months of this year.

What TKO Is Doing Right Now

I want to be transparent with our community about the impact this may have on our mission. Each day we hear of another nonprofit laying off staff and/or suspending federal land activities, if they can. The U.S. Forest Service has let us know that our future federal funding may be delayed while it is under review as part of the new administration’s efforts to reduce federal spending and staffing. We are unsure when or if this funding will be cut, reduced, or fully restored.

With this uncertainty, we are planning our work and working our plan:

• With dwindling cash reserves, and a hope for invoicing to catch up, we are still hosting dozens of trail stewardship events and educational programs on federal trails, ensuring Oregon’s trails remain open and safe.
• TKO’s fundraising team is having a flurry of major donor conversations and planning a spring fundraiser to invest in TKO’s service to National Forests while funding is in question.
• Our program staff is actively putting in place contingencies for stewardship & Ambassadors, pivoting to non-federal projects, working with state, county, and local land managers to continue essential trail service.
• We’re also engaging directly with other trail organizations, state leaders, and lawmakers to advocate for funding stability and long-term investment in public lands.

This isn’t just about TKO—it’s about keeping Oregon’s trails accessible for everyone. Learn how you can help below.

See you on the trails,

How You Can Help

Public lands belong to all of us. We need to act now.

This moment is a test of our commitment to Oregon’s trails. TKO is ready. Join us in our mission to keep trails open for all to enjoy!