Volunteer News

The stories of our volunteers and trail maintenance around the state.

Stories about volunteers and trail maintenance.

You can also read WTA volunteer stories, meet our hardworking crew leaders, and see standout volunteers at the Rock Wall of Fame.

A whirlwind trail work tour — from Frog Pond to Turtleback, Big Rock to Three Corner Rock

Nov 03, 2025

Projects around the state are wrapping up! Check out these regional updates on the work we're most excited about.

I found my people on a WTA work party

Nov 04, 2025

I have been volunteering with WTA for almost 2 years and have participated in close to 200 work parties. Here's why the community of people at work parties keeps me coming back. By Anne Kang

Trailwork behind the scenes: The joys of tool maintenance

Oct 30, 2025

Caring for the tools we use on trails is a big job. Thankfully, dedicated and skilled volunteers around the state help make this big project a lot easier.

How WTA and public lands keep water clean for wildlife and people

Oct 20, 2025

60 million Americans rely on national forests for their drinking water. With that in mind, WTA builds trails that minimize impacts to waterways and can function as part of the surrounding landscape. We also advocate for land protections because protected and funded public lands mean clean water for people and wildlife.

6 volunteer crew leaders who build trails and community

Our amazing volunteer leaders ensure our work parties are safe, fun and even get a little work done. Their deep love for the outdoors and appreciation for our community make them a priceless part of WTA. By Victoria Obermeyer.

Putting our heads together: Trail work as a team effort

If you’ve ever joined a WTA work party, you know the work is about more than digging tread or clearing brush. By Brandon Tigner

Many hands make light work — how one Trailblazer troop gives back by cleaning tents and more

Sep 29, 2025

The members of Girl Scout Trailblazer troop 4389 regularly help out at WTA’s Seattle gear library to ensure that the gear is clean, in good working condition and ready to lend out to other youth programs. Their dedication helps ensure that more than 3,100 pieces of gear in the Seattle gear library are regularly maintained and ready for use.

What I learned from a day of talking to people at a trailhead

Sep 15, 2025

For one day this summer, I got to spend most of a day seeing what a trailhead sees. I had never spent hours at a trailhead before, and the experience surprised me. It showed me the variety of people who use our public lands and why public lands need funding — to be able to serve all the different people seeking time outside.

From St. Helens to the Gorge, WTA is bringing new and improved trails to Southwest Washington

Aug 29, 2025

In collaboration with hundreds of local volunteers, partner organizations and public lands staff, WTA is hard at work building and improving trails from residential Vancouver to the Mount St. Helens backcountry.

WTA volunteer crew improves popular trail – and puts out smoldering fire

Jul 18, 2025

Last month, an 11-person volunteer crew, one of a series of work parties improving the way to popular Barclay Lake, ended up putting out a fire after their day of work clearing overgrown brush for a full two miles of the trail.

Hiker Headlines: Fires close Mount Ellinor-area trails, baby goats & thimbleberries, trail maintenance budget fallout

Jul 17, 2025

It’s July 17. The Bear Gulch Fire on the Olympic Peninsula has closed access to Mount Ellinor-area trails and campgrounds. New campfire restrictions. Federal budget and staffing cuts disrupt trail maintenance projects in Washington and beyond. Trip reporters are spotting mountain goats with kids in tow. Thimbleberries are ripening up. Someone also found a gold ring on Mailbox Peak, if you're missing one.

Cutting-edge saw training: How WTA is sharing skills statewide

Cutting timber is a specialty task. Without sawyers, we wouldn't be able to create and maintain trails that last the test of time. That's why WTA's saw program and professional services are being tapped to help train sawyers statewide. By Joseph Gonzalez

It's time to act on climate change

Climate change is already impacting hikers and campers in Washington. It’s time to act. By Loren Drummond

Dust, sweat and big smiles: WTA's backcountry trips are delivering clear trails to hikers

May 14, 2025

Despite the uncertainty around Forest Service funding this year, WTA has managed to run several backcountry crews already. There is some juicy work out there.

WTA and partners celebrate opening of Glendale Forest

Apr 30, 2025

Over the weekend, WTA, King County Parks, Earth Corps and members of the community celebrated the opening of Glendale Forest. The 5-acre parcel of land was acquired by King County in 2020 to create trail accessibility for the historically underserved neighborhood.

When big damage requires heavy duty trail cleanup

Mar 25, 2025

In November 2024, the Pacific Northwest was hit by a bomb cyclone, and many of our trails were damaged by fallen trees and debris. For the last several months, WTA has been working with land managers and other organizations to get trails in the Issaquah Alps back open again.

Remembering Pete Dewell

Pete Dewell — assistant crew leader, community leader and teacher of thousands of trail workers — passed away at home at the age of 95. Pete was a loyal trail worker who shaped WTA as an organization. By Anna Roth.

How WTA builds trails for climate resiliency

WTA does work each year to build trails that hold up to the challenges of climate change. Here's what we keep in mind when we do.

How WTA is building trails for a changing world

Washington needs resilient trail systems — WTA is helping to build a trail system that can stand up to the test of climate change. | By Andrea Waite

Volunteer profile: Meet new ACL Cour Billadeau

Mar 04, 2025

Why Cour Billadeau — one of WTA's newest assistant crew leaders — joined WTA's trail maintenance leadership team.

Volunteers chip away at early season trail projects

Mar 03, 2025

WTA crews made progress on several early-season projects in the first couple months of the year.

Tiny tents and tool time: 20 years of marriage, 18 years of volunteering

Sep 22, 2025

Spokane-area assistant crew leaders Mary Beth and Jim Fitzgerald celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on-trail last fall by joining a day work party. Their shared love of the outdoors has shaped their relationship and shines through in their commitment to both each other and to trails. WTA gives them a way to spend time together and give back to trails at the same time.

Hiker Headlines: WTA backcountry trips, Enchantments permit lottery, sign up for Hiker Rally Day

Feb 13, 2025

The Enchantments permit advanced lottery opens Feb. 15 at 7 a.m. Join WTA and the Northwest Symphony for live music and beautiful photos. We need your help to vote for a renewal of the King County Parks Levy. Join us for in Olympia on March 18 to advocate for trails and public lands! And registration for WTA’s backcountry trips is starting soon.

What's the Tee? The scoop on WTA's backcountry shirts

Feb 05, 2025

WTA's backcountry t-shirts are a favorite with our volunteers. Get a peek behind the scenes with graphic designer Jenica Nordstrom and preview this year's design.

12 Women and 4 Horses Fix a Trail

WTA and Back Country Horsemen of Washington team up for their first all-women volunteer trip. By Victoria Obermeyer.

How WTA ambassadors helped hikers across the state this year

WTA’s dedicated ambassadors spread the joy of hiking in 2024 through connection, awareness and education. By Nicole Masih-Théberge.

Thank you, Jim, for 35 years of copy editing!

Dec 09, 2024

After 35 years of volunteer editing Washington Trails magazine, Jim Cavin is finally enjoying a well-earned retirement. Join us in thanking him! By WTA staff

Partnership With Kalispel Tribe Creates New Trails North of Spokane

Dec 30, 2024

A trail system at Indian Creek Community Forest is helping the Kalispel Tribe provide education, recreation, and community to the Tribe and broader community members.

Join WTA on trail and start a new family tradition

Dec 04, 2024

Family trail work, trail work for families, family tradition, work parties, youth, youth and families.

Celebrating 10 years of real hikers writing for WTA

If you've used our Hiking Guide to access Mount Si, Rattlesnake Ledge, Oyster Dome or Beacon Rock, you can thank a volunteer writer. Now, we're celebrating that team, and reflecting on 10 years of their generous contributions to the hiking community in Washington. | By Anna Roth