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.

WTA helps open new Mount Spokane trail, builds bridges, trains trail and saw skills, celebrates one of our own

Nov 14, 2024

WTA has had a busy few months, training folks at Snohomish County and Washington Conservation Corps, working on trails across the state and celebrating one of our own winning an award from the Washington State Trails Coalition.

Slate Creek: Not lost, but not quite found

Oct 31, 2024

I recently visited the Slate Creek Trail for a backcountry work party. I walked away from the experience with a new appreciation for trails in Eastern Washington — and for our volunteer community.

Volunteer Appreciation 2024: Celebrating our incredible community

Oct 28, 2024

Our gratitude for our volunteers happens every day. Once a year though, we dedicate one week to celebrate them especially — Volunteer Appreciation Week. Here's a roundup of how we welcomed longtime and new volunteers to celebrate their efforts this year.

Volunteer appreciation 2025: Celebrating the people who give back

Nov 10, 2025

Our gratitude for our volunteers happens every day. Once a year though, we dedicate one week to celebrate volunteers and members who make fuel their work — Volunteer Appreciation Week. Here's a roundup of how we welcomed longtime and new volunteers to celebrate their efforts this year.

A celebration of Jim Langdon and 100 volunteer vacations

Nearly 20 years ago, Jim Langdon decided to try out a volunteer vacation, figuring he could leave if it wasn't fun. Over 100 trips later, he still hasn't left. By Erin McMillin

Community and generosity: WTA volunteers are amazing

Volunteers power WTA, and they do it all. Trail work. Hike research. Public education. Tool cache construction, trail advocacy, app development … the list goes on (and even includes unexpected things like pie delivery and 3-D printing). | By Anna Roth

Mount St. Helens Jamboree: 3 days of heat, trail work and fun

Jul 31, 2024

3 days, 23 people, 7 miles of trail cleared at Washington's most active volcano.

Angry Mountain: One trail's role in a sustainable system

Trails need routine maintenance and trail systems need innovative, intentional updates to accommodate the changing needs of Washington's hikers. The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is taking proactive steps to make that happen | By Joseph Gonzalez and Anna Roth

Representation and horse power: WTA and Back Country Horsemen of Washington team up for first joint all-women's trip

Aug 29, 2024

Watch a short film about the first all-women's backcountry trail work trip by longtime partners, Back Country Horsemen of Washington and Washington Trails Association.

The five most commonly asked questions received by ambassadors

Aug 07, 2024

WTA outreach volunteers support WTA and hikers by conducting outreach at events and trailheads all over the state. They connect directly with the public about hiking and get asked a lot of questions. Here are the top five questions they recieve: By Nicole Masih-Theberge

Share a story: Forest bathing at Heather Meadows

Jul 29, 2024

Enjoy a snapshot from the WTA trip reporter and Instagram community, brought to you by volunteer, trip reporter and photographer Derek Posey.

How WTA’s behind-the-scenes work elevates our backcountry trail maintenance

Backcountry trail maintenance is more than trail tools and long days outside — it's the massive efforts of seasonal crew members, land managers and office coordination, and Zack Sklar helps make it happen. By Joseph Gonzalez

Partnerships and Cooperation Expand Impact of WTA's work

Aug 30, 2024

WTA has completed several fantastic projects thanks to partnerships with land managers. Between weekend work parties, land manager trainings in exchange for rent and new trails, we're excited to share some updates with you.

WTA youth program wins national recognition

Jul 16, 2024

WTA's youth trail maintenance program recently won an award for efficient management of funds!

Go camping with a WTA work party this summer

Jun 20, 2024

Having a hard time snagging a campsite this summer? WTA may be hosting a work party with camping right where you want to be. Check out the schedule today!

Meet the 2024 Lost Trails Found paid crews

Jun 04, 2024

WTA's Lost Trails Found paid crews have a big summer of trail work planned. Meet some of the maintainers doing this tough work and learn what they're looking forward to in 2024. By Joseph Gonzalez

Volunteering is worth the trip: Why three volunteers travel interstate for Washington trails

WTA’s backcountry trips draw volunteers back year after year from across the country. Three volunteers explain why they make the trip to spend time on trail with WTA. By Anna Roth

Before and after: Trails get a glow-up from WTA crews

May 24, 2024

Nearly halfway through the year (what, how is that possible), WTA has done more than 350 work parties. We've opened trails, improved staircases and even improved a climbing area!

Partnership helps WTA get more done for Mount St. Helens trails

May 17, 2024

Washington Trails Association and the Mount St. Helens Institute team up to make it easier to hike near the iconic volcano.

WTA's Emerging Leaders Program ends on a high note

May 16, 2024

"It has been fulfilling to see where ELP alumni interests propel them on their endeavors after completing this program."

Volunteering made easy

Learn 4 things that keep people from volunteering — and what we’re doing about it. By Loren Drummond

New trail opens in Sammamish, connecting local parks system

Apr 18, 2024

WTA collaborated with the City of Sammamish to build a new trail in Big Rock Park South, the third of three sections of park generously donated to the city. The new trail connects to 4 miles of trails throughout Big Rock Parks North and Central, as well as the city center, further increasing walkability and access to nature in Sammamish. By Victoria Obermeyer

5 ways to connect with WTA this spring

Apr 18, 2024

Check out these tips and tricks to connect with trails this spring. By Nicole Masih-Théberge

Once Youth Volunteers, Now WTA Leaders

Anna Pree and Kat Conley each began trail work with WTA as teenagers. Now, they’re trail work professionals who are inspiring the next generation on trail.

From the Gorge to the border, popular trails are getting love this spring

Apr 03, 2024

It's barely the end of winter and WTA trail crews have accomplished great things already. Thanks to increased staff capacity, we're building new trails in several parts of the state, and our work last year has earned kudos from land managers and neighbors alike.

Volunteer Profile: Rick Bennett

Mar 28, 2024

In the wilds of the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas, you can find Rick Bennett — one of WTA's dedicated volunteer crew leaders. Rick’s been a trail maintenance volunteer since 2008 and has been a crew leader (or blue hat) since 2022. Over the course of 16 years, Rick has provided volunteers fun and welcoming experiences on trail, and in February, he was recognized with the the Gig Harbor Rotary Club's Star Award.

WTA crew leaders inspire fun and a love for nature in youth volunteers

Mar 22, 2024

On trail in March, WTA's Kaci Darsow celebrated six years as WTA's youth crew leader, but their milestone was only one of many to mark the growth and maturity of WTA's youth program.

Columbia Mountain trail gets a brushing on WTA's first winter BCRT

Mar 11, 2024

In February a crew of 12 plucky volunteer snow camped to address backlogged maintenance on Columbia Mountain. See what a winter BCRT looks like.

How one volunteer is building solutions that help keep WTA's programs running

For 18 years, John Mackenzie has been using his carpentry skills to support WTA's work, including our trailwork and Outdoor Leadership Training programs.| By Anna Roth

WTA Trailhead Ambassadors: Here for You on Trails

Feb 05, 2024

WTA and partners put ambassadors at trailheads all across the state in 2023. Learn where they connected with hikers and how they built a safer, more responsible hiking community. By Nicole Masih-Théberge