Volunteer News

Washington Trails Association news about volunteers and trail maintenance on The Signpost Blog.

You can also meet our hardworking crew leaders, and see standout volunteers at the Rock Wall of Fame.

3 Reasons To Join WTA for Vacation

May 16, 2017

Are you looking for more ways to fill your summer with outdoor adventures? How about signing up for one of WTA’s backcountry trips?

Get Inspired and Give Back: 4 Events at Riverside State Park

May 03, 2017

Help fix up the Knothead Trail or hear from Washington's own record-setting thru-hiker, Heather "Anish" Anderson.

Build Strong Family Bonds While Giving Back to Trails

May 09, 2017

On a recent rainy weekend, a group of WTA volunteers ranging in age from 9 to 60+ came together for a common goal: to give back to trails. We wanted to know what inspired them to spend a cold and wet Saturday digging in the dirt.

What a Difference Two Days Make: Closing A Trail Loop in Puyallup

May 16, 2017

WTA helped the City of Puyallup complete a 5.5 mile trail loop in just two days this spring!

Women on Trail Sharing Skills for Maintaining Trails

Apr 20, 2017

Work party gives women a chance to learn technical trail skills from other experienced women.

Volunteer Spotlight: 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.

With WTA's Help, Youth Ambassadors Share Their Love for Trails

Mar 04, 2017

Through WTA's Youth Ambassador Program, young people who love to hike and volunteer gain valuable skills and share their love for trails

What Inspires You to Care for Trails?

Feb 27, 2017

Caring for trails and wild places for the next generation is important, but why wait? Let's care for those places right now and enjoy them now, too.

Saving Lost Trails: 3 Areas Where WTA Will Focus in 2017

Mar 07, 2017

The hiking community has an opportunity this year to save three iconic places that represent the variety of challenges trails are facing across the state.

Q&A: How to Make the Most of a Multi-Day Volunteer Trip

Feb 27, 2017

Each year, WTA offers volunteers a chance to go out on multiday work parties. We interviewed volunteer veterans to get their tips on how to make the most of your trip.

Prepare for WTA's Backcountry Trip Registration

Jan 25, 2017

Signups open February 11 for WTA's summer backcountry trips. Get to know the new process and be sure fill out your forms.

First BCRT? We've Got a List You'll Want To Read

May 17, 2017

Courtesy of seasoned volunteer Al Mashburn who's got 15 BCRTs under his boots, here's a short list of items that help make WTA's most physically taxing trips a little more comfortable.

Santa Jerry Crafts Personalized Saws for Volunteers

Dec 15, 2016

Meet one of WTA's jolliest volunteers.

Revisiting 18 Standout Trail Projects from 2016

Dec 15, 2016

Looking back on an amazing year of volunteer trail work--partnerships, preservation and unearthing lost trails.

Spokane-area Hiker Protects Trails She's Loved Since Childhood

Mar 21, 2017

For Spokane-area's Holly Weiler, getting to lead work on trails she's loved since childhood has special meaning. That the project came in ahead of schedule and under budget is just a bonus.

And the Award Goes to ... Pete Dewell!

Dec 09, 2016

Since he first became involved with WTA in the '90s, Pete has spent 1,600+ days out on trail, served on WTA's board of directors, and provided pro-bono legal counsel to the organization.

WTA's Krista Dooley Recognized at Washington State Trails Conference

Nov 01, 2016

Krista Dooley, Washington Trails Association’s youth programs director, who recently received the Youth Advocacy Award from the Washington State Trails Coalition.

Join us at Swan Creek Park this Winter

Nov 01, 2016

Volunteer with us this month at a charming hidden gem in Tacoma.

Does Your Company Pay You to Volunteer?

Sep 20, 2016

Apple employee and enthusiastic volunteer Aaron Peabody frequently joins WTA work parties. But his employer increases his impact -- they give WTA a financial donation for the hours Aaron spends with us on trail. Does yours?

A Family Quest to the Hike 7 Trails Built by WTA in the Southwest

Sep 15, 2016

Ryan Ojerio, WTA's Southwest Regional Manager, set out with his kids to hike the 7 new trails built by WTA volunteers in one month. Here's their story.

Russian Ecotourism Project Learns from WTA's Model

Nov 01, 2016

This summer, volunteers from Russia participated in a work party on the Slab Camp trail. They did so as part of a Sustainable Travel Group dedicated to learning about more sustainable trail practices.

Volunteer in the High Desert and Camp Amid Coulees

Sep 14, 2016

Join WTA this fall at Snow Mountain Ranch near Yakima or along the Candy Point Trail near Coulee Dam.

Mount St. Helens: When a Mountain Moves Into Your Heart

Aug 25, 2016

WTA staffer Layla Farahbakhsh has fallen in love with Mount St. Helens during her summer exploring it and working on trails. Read her story, and join her on an upcoming workparty.

New Youth Volunteer Vacation Trip! Pacific Crest Trail at Goodwin Meadows August 20-27

Jul 21, 2016

Finish your summer off right with a week in the beautiful William O. Douglas Wilderness. WTA has added an incredible late summer hiking, backpacking and trail maintenance opportunity to work on the Pacific Crest Trail. This trip is open to teens ages 15 to 18 with some previous trail maintenance experience.

Slideshow: Where We've Worked (So Far) This Summer

Jul 12, 2016

Many trails have already benefited from volunteer work crews this summer. See where we've been, and where you can join us for the rest of the season.

New Trail Links Recreation Areas near Anacortes

May 24, 2016

The nearly-complete John Tursi Trail is a vision decades in the making. WTA volunteers have helped make this connector between Deception Pass and Anacortes a reality, and a ribbon cutting is scheduled for June 4.

Forest Service Hires WTA Volunteer for Trail Crew

May 24, 2016

This summer, WTA assistant crew leader Cindy Nguyen will join the Gifford Pinchot National Forest as a member of a wilderness trail crew. We asked her how WTA helped shape her path, and get her to where she is now.

Backcountry Trips, New Exhibit at Mount St. Helens

May 17, 2016

Backpack and give back to Mount St. Helens with a backcountry volunteer trip. Or visit to a new photo exhibit opening around the 36th anniversary of Mount St. Helen's eruption.

New Partnerships Strengthen WTA's Volunteer Education

May 01, 2016

WTA has partnered with the Mount St. Helens Institute and other organizations to improve our impact on trails as well as the community in Southwest Washington.

Raising Tomorrow's Trail Stewards

Apr 11, 2016

The Homeschool Stewardship Squad allows kids and parents to volunteer, play and learn together outside. Heidi Watters organized the squad in 2011, and we asked her some history and tips for encouraging your own little ones.