Common Questions
Common questions about WTA's trail work parties
About Trail Work Parties
Q. How much experience do I need? 
A. None. We work hard to teach our volunteers the joy of trail maintenance. We hope by investing our time in teaching you trail maintenance you'll come back and join us again. Our work party rules are followed in this order: 1) Be Safe! 2) Have fun! 3) Get some work done!
A. Sorry, please come to a work party only if you can commit to a full day of volunteering (8:30am-3:30pm). If you can't spend the day with us, then please sign up for another work party.
Q. What is the latest date that I can sign up for a work party?
A. 48 hours. You may have noticed that each work party is automatically removed from the schedule 48 hours before the work party is scheduled to begin. This formula ensures that our crew leaders will have adequate time to pick up tools, purchase pop & cookies, and assess the work site based on the number of sign-ups at that time. If you would like to sign up for a work party at the last minute (or the day before), please call the office at (206) 625-1367 and we will determine if we can add another person to that particular work party.
Q. Annual Northwest Forest Pass incentive: I have earned two (green) one-day passes - How do I exchange them for an annual pass?
A. When you come out on a WTA work party that is on Forest Service land (indicated in the schedule under the column titled “Free Pass”), the Forest Services recognizes your efforts by giving you a free one-day parking pass. A WTA crew leader will give you this pass at the beginning of the work party. When you collect two of these passes, you can mail them in to the WTA office and we will mail you an Annual Northwest Forest Pass. Please send your two green day passes and a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Washington Trails Association, 2019 Third Avenue, Suite 100, Seattle WA 98121 (206)625-1367.
Q. Does WTA encourage or try to arrange carpooling?
A. Yes! We have an automated carpool system set up on-line. When you join a work party you will be encouraged to carpool. Simply choose one of these options: Willing to drive; Needs a ride; Willing to drive or ride. Then, give a brief description of your ideal meeting point in the space provided (not in the comments section). This information will be sent to all people who sign up for your trip, along with your e-mail address (we do not send out your phone number - so please provide a valid e-mail). You will then be able to contact or be contacted by others interested in carpooling. This method of carpooling is usually about 80% effective (pretty darn good!). Please save our air (and save your gas) by carpooling! Remember, if you are a rider, please be courteous and offer to chip in on the cost of gas!
Q. Can I bring my kids?
A. Yes. We love having children along. Anyone under the age of 18 must be signed in by their parent or guardian. Please download our parental consent form. Anyone under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Q. Can I bring my pets?
A. Sorry, please do not bring any pets. We have found that pets can be a significant distraction and in some rare cases a safety hazard.
Q. Can I bring a big group?
A. Yes. But if your group is larger than six people, please contact us to make special arrangements. Call the WTA office at (206) 625-1367 or email us at alyssa@wta.org.
Q. Do you still work in bad weather?
A. Yes - Rain or Shine! Unless you are notified otherwise, our crew leaders will be waiting for you at the trailhead. If the bad weather continues through out the day we may go home early. It's a very democratic process. The crew leader will listen to the volunteers and call off the work party. You may leave early on your own if you like, but please notify your crew leader if you are leaving and sign out.
Q. Should I bring my own tools?
A. No. WTA provides all the tools you need. The only tools of your own that you might consider bringing would be hand clippers or small folding saws. Please do NOT bring your own axes, machetes, etc. Our safety lecture includes a comprehensive discussion of the safe usage of each tool. We can not permit anyone to bring and use a tool not covered in our safety lecture.
Q. Can I bring my chainsaw?
A. No. A special certification is required from land management agencies before anyone is allowed to use a chainsaw on their land. Any logging out of blowdown and felling of trees will be taken care of by WTA staff or the land manager's hired personnel.
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