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?
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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!
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
Santa Jerry Crafts Personalized Saws for Volunteers
Dec 15, 2016
Meet one of WTA's jolliest volunteers.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
Join us at Swan Creek Park this Winter
Nov 01, 2016
Volunteer with us this month at a charming hidden gem in Tacoma.
Read More
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?
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More