Volunteer Profiles

Meet the volunteers who make so much of WTA's work happen.

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.

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.

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

Feb 14, 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.

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

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

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.

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

How an introductory backcountry work party helped one volunteer feel more comfortable backpacking

Feb 14, 2024

Jess Wolf had never been backpacking before signing up for a 3-day intro BCRT work party. Not only did she gain more trail work experience that weekend, but she left with the confidence to take on more backpacking trips afterward.

A WTA Work Party was a Life-Changing Trip for One Youth Volunteer

Dec 27, 2023

How one connection made on a youth volunteer vacation was life-changing for a young trail volunteer.

How Two Fireside Circle Members are Making a Difference with WTA

Oct 10, 2023

Two Fireside Circle members share how and why they support WTA, both as volunteers and donors.

Meet the Hikers and Writers Behind WTA's Hiking Guide

Did you know WTA's hiking guide is partially written by a team of volunteers? Meet some of the dedicated team of people who help you find your favorite trails. By Anna Roth

Volunteer Profile: The Pie Guy Is Delivering Smiles to the Backcountry One Slice at a Time

Aug 14, 2023

Meet Mike Read, the "Pie Guy," whose passion for conservation, community, and culinary delights has brought joy to the trail crews of Washington.

"After the First Day, I Was Hooked" — What Keeps WTA Volunteers Coming Back

Five WTA volunteers share how their time on trail has brought them community, skills and confidence.

A Crew Leader’s Story of Woodinville’s New Trail Next Door

May 05, 2023

Volunteer Micki Kedzierski shares her account of a new trail that creates easy access to nature for locals in unincorporated King County. The Greenbrier Trail (and the story of its development) are full of surprises.

WTA Work Party Puts Youth Volunteer on Path to an Outdoors Career

May 02, 2023

A WTA work party put a dedicated WTA youth volunteer on a path to a career in the outdoors.

Honoring a Volunteer for Decades of Dedication to Trails

Apr 17, 2023

WTA thanks Pat Limberg for years of volunteering, both on and off trail, with our white hat award. By Laura Norsen

Trekking by Transit: Tips from a WTA trip reporter

Mar 17, 2023

K. Huntress Inskeep is a Seattle-based writer and transit and active-transportation advocate who writes trip reports under the name TransitTrekker. When we noticed how far afield she had gotten using transit systems, we had to know more about her approach. So we called her up and asked her a few questions.

Interview With a WTA Ambassador

Jan 13, 2023

We recently sat down to talk with Kathleen Lange, a longtime WTA volunteer ambassador who’s been part of the program since 2018, to chat about why she loves the role and connecting with hikers.

Family and Community: How Trails Help a WTA Volunteer Build Connections

Mar 22, 2022

WTA volunteer and member, Elizabeth Storm, shares how trail work on the Covel Creek trail connects her to childhood, family and community.

Favorite Volunteer Memories of 2021

Nov 19, 2021

As 2021 comes to a close, we asked volunteers to share some of their best moments on trail with us. From learning new skills and self-reliance to rejoining the volunteer community, we're thrilled to hear what you remember from this year on trail.

Volunteer Profile: Jade Tabony — Data Scientist, Outdoor Adventurer & Cheez-It Enthusiast

Jul 08, 2021

We talk technology, slacklining and what it's like to give back to a cause you care about.

Volunteer Profile: Doris Wang

Jun 22, 2021

Doris is a well of positive energy. She came to WTA after a friend introduced her to trail work parties, and since then has brought her friends and her husband to trail work, and been a fantastic trail ambassador on social media. We asked her a few questions about why she likes volunteering and what keeps her engaged in WTA's community.

Learning and Growing on WTA's Volunteer Vacations

Apr 14, 2021

We caught up with volunteers from years past to see how the skills they gained have helped them with new adventures.

Volunteer Profile: Gabrielle Matheison

Apr 06, 2021

Volunteers are key for WTA, and we appreciate however people engage with WTA. Some folks like to stick to trail work, some stick to trip reports, some do both. While volunteering has been complicated by the pandemic, Gabrielle Matheisen, a trip reporter and trail crew volunteer, made it work.

Caring for Trails, Caring for People

Jun 29, 2020

It’s hard to imagine what WTA would look like without the McKibben family, and even harder to overstate Craig’s impact. From volunteering with our trail maintenance program, to serving as our board president, and even filling in as interim executive director.

Staying Busy During Stay at Home

May 20, 2020

How some volunteers are staying busy without trail work parties on the calendar.

Energy, Purpose, Excitement: Coming Full Circle At Hidden Lake

Oct 18, 2019

In 2018, a group of friends attended a work party at Hidden Lake to help with a major construction project. A year later, two of that group returned to finish the task as a thank you to the woman who introduced them the trail work.

A Year in the Life of a WTA Superstar

Jul 31, 2019

Jaime Weber, a WTA member and volunteer, looks forward to the start of her personal trail work season. She saves her summers for hiking, and turns to trail work as fall shifts to winter. But that doesn’t mean she sits on her laurels during her trail-maintenance off-months.

Where Are They Now: Jessie Thoreson Has Spent Every Summer Outdoors

Mar 11, 2019

Youth program alum and volunteer Jessie Thoreson been working outside since the summer she spent interning with WTA. She told us how interning with WTA helped her choose her major, and what she's been up to since then.

Volunteer Profile: Dana Pounds

Jan 14, 2019

WTA trail work volunteer Dana Pounds is the definition of can-do. A 20-year battle with a rare form of cancer hasn't dimmed her positivity and optimism, and losing her leg hasn't kept her off trail. She joined WTA on her first work party earlier this month.

Volunteer Profile: Kim, Norah and Adam

Sep 10, 2018

Get to know three of our newest hard hat recipients.

Volunteer Profile: Clare Paden

Aug 01, 2018

How wrestling with one stubborn stump led one volunteer to taking a leadership role in trail work parties around the state.

Volunteer Profile: Pat Limberg

Mar 27, 2018

Pat Limberg has been volunteering on trail since WTA's trail maintenance program was a relatively new part of our work. She's stuck around, both on-trail and as an office volunteer, and is happy to see that WTA is still devoted to trails and the wide range of people who care deeply about protecting the places they love to play.

Two WTA Volunteers Recognized by Friends of Olympic National Park

Mar 23, 2018

WTA crew leader Rebecca Wanagel and Washington Trails contributor Kelsie Donleycott have been recognized as super-volunteers this year. Read why.

How 3 Unique Volunteers Help Fuel WTA

Jan 22, 2018

Meet three volunteers who are helping out across the organization, and learn how they're making a difference for Washington's trails.

Volunteer Profile: Maridee BonaDea

Aug 18, 2017

Meet Maridee—recently retired and heading to Bangkok to pursue her Master's degree, she wanted to spend a little time volunteering with WTA before heading out.

Volunteer Profile: Carmen Zavala

Mar 06, 2017

Meet Carmen Zavala -- a recently-settled Seattle resident who wanted to learn more about where trail comes from and who takes care of them.

Youth Ambassador Spotlight: Julianna Hoza

Feb 03, 2017

Learn how this Youth Ambassador has been making big waves in her local hiking community.