“On behalf of the board of directors and staff of WTA, I’d like to express our excitement at bringing Brian Windrope into this leadership position and look forward to working with him to fulfill our mission of advocacy for trails, trail maintenance and education about hiking,” said Craig McKibben, president of the board of directors of WTA. “Hiking and the outdoors have shaped Brian Windrope’s life. He has the passion, commitment, experience, professional demeanor, leadership skills, and empathy that we want in our executive director.”

Windrope’s entire work history reflects his passion for wilderness and trails, and being the Executive Director of Washington Trails Association is a wonderful opportunity for him to continue giving back. He has a broad background in non-profit administration, including director positions with San Juan Preservation Trust, Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center, Guided Discoveries, and Nature Bridge (formerly Yosemite National Institutes). Windrope earned his MA Education from Stanford University and holds a BA/BS from the University of California, Berkeley. His favorite trails are all those above timberline, through deep forests, in the desert, and along the coast.

“During my time at UC Berkeley I became weary of books and hungry for wilderness, and so took off on a solo backpacking trip down the length of the Sierra Nevada Mountains,” said Windrope. “Oh, what joy! It opened my eyes to the rest of my life. Since that first long trip, I have been hiking and exploring every wild place I can get near.”

“Washington Trails Association is the premier hiking advocacy and trail maintenance organization in the state, and I can’t imagine a more wonderful, or fitting, use of my energies than to dedicate myself to its mission,” said Windrope. “I’m just so fortunate to be able to give back to the places I love in such a concrete way. WTA makes a real, everyday, tangible difference in the health of wild places, and therefore positively impacts the health and happiness of the people of Washington. I think it is this combination of helping trails, wilderness and people that makes me honored to help lead WTA.”

Brian Windrope will attend WTA’s Trail Crew Leader College April 10 – 11, where more than 70 WTA crew leaders and assistant crew leaders learn and practice key trail skills and knowledge in preparation for the summer season. Also in attendance will be trails specialists with the Forest Service, Park Service and other land management agencies. Windrope will begin working in the WTA office the following week.

“I would also like to thank WTA’s longtime executive director, Elizabeth Lunney, for helping to make our transition as smooth as possible,” said McKibben. “Elizabeth is resigning from her position after more than a decade of service. Thanks to Elizabeth’s service and leadership, WTA has become a trusted and vital partner to land managers, a more effective voice for the hiking community, and an essential resource for all of us who want to explore Washington’s beautiful wild places.”

The Washington Trails Association (WTA) is a non-profit membership organization that works to protect and enhance hiking opportunities in Washington state. Founded in 1966, WTA advocates protection of hiking trails, takes volunteers out to maintain them, and promotes hiking as a healthy, fun way to explore Washington. WTA volunteers contribute over 90,000 hours each year to build and maintain trails in all corners of the state. For more information on WTA: (206) 625-1367 / www.wta.org.