Help Hikers! WTA Needs Volunteers at Trailheads This Summer

As you hit the trail this summer, you might encounter a friendly volunteer at the trailhead. We’ve heard from folks over the years that meeting a friendly face at the trailhead can be both welcoming and educational. So WTA and several of our partners are stepping up this summer to test outreach strategies like this across the state. And we’re asking for your help — we need volunteers in Central and Northern Washington to help make this program a big success. 

Pipestone Canyon is one of the sites that volunteers will be at on Saturdays this summer. Photo by Justin Haug.

WTA is launching a pilot ambassador program with the Department of Fish and Wildlife  at six WDFW sites across Central & Northern Washington, including L.T. Murray Wildlife Area (Joe Watt Canyon and Whiskey Dick wildlife area), Lewis Butte, Pipestone Canyon and two water access sites at Teanaway Junction and Thorp. Volunteers will welcome a wide variety of recreationists, including hikers, bikers, equestrians and boaters every Saturday all summer long. 

This is a great opportunity for WTA volunteers to put all our responsible recreation knowledge to use as we welcome visitors of all experience levels. WTA is actively seeking new volunteers for this program, and benefits for participating include mileage reimbursement for travel to project sites (up to 100 miles) and awesome WDFW and WTA swag. We’re just asking that interested volunteers commit to volunteering two to three Saturdays this summer.

sign up to volunteer! 

“We are excited to collaborate with WDFW to launch the ambassador program this summer,” said Allie Tripp, WTA strategic initiatives senior manager. “WTA has a long history of working with volunteers, so we know the power of harnessing peoples’ passion to protect the places we love. We are thrilled to engage with local outdoor enthusiasts to grow a more connected and informed recreation community.”  

This work to educate hikers is part of  WTA’s Trails Rebooted campaign, dedicated to supporting popular recreation areas at every turn. The pilot program was developed as a part of WDFW’s recently published 10-Year recreation strategy for WDFW-managed lands, which aims to protect natural and cultural resources, improve visitor experiences and reduce recreation impacts. 

“We’re so proud to partner with WTA to engage Washingtonians directly in public land stewardship,” said Cynthia Wilkerson, WDFW lands division manager. “Not only will volunteers help to make WDFW trailheads more welcoming, they’ll also promote safe, meaningful recreation experiences while protecting natural, cultural and tribal resources.”

Want to learn more about this program? Check out the website or email Madison Anderson, manderson@wta.org, WTA’s Central Washington outreach coordinator.

Madison Anderson and Sydney Beckett are the WTA coordinators for this summer's volunteer program. Photo by Allie Tripp.