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.
Building More Than Trails in the Columbia River Gorge
May 16, 2019
How WTA and our partners are shaping the future of the Columbia River Gorge.
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Rapid Response: WTA Crews Clear Popular Trails at Cougar Mountain
Apr 15, 2019
Winter storms took a toll on trails in Issaquah. WTA crews took a toll on the trees that came down in the winds.
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Volunteer Crew Leaders Make Our Work Happen
Apr 22, 2019
If you've volunteered with WTA, you know the impact just one day on trail can make. But there might be more volunteers on your work party than you realize...
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Where Are They Now: Jessie Thoreson Has Spent Every Summer Outdoors
Mar 11, 2019
Youth program alum and volunteer Jessie Thoreson been working outside since the summer she spent interning with WTA. She told us how interning with WTA helped her choose her major, and what she's been up to since then.
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How WTA Volunteers are Making Time for Trails
Mar 07, 2019
Here at WTA, we know that time is a valuable resource — and one that is often in short supply. So we’re especially grateful that each year our volunteers collectively give thousands of hours to helping shape a lasting trail system for the future. We asked some of our devoted volunteers how they make the time to give back to trails — and why it’s worth it to them. Here’s what they had to say.
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Trail Magic: Not Just for Thru-Hikers
Apr 25, 2019
Whether it's food, sharing spare gear, or making an extra effort to recognize a special moment, our volunteers help make WTA's volunteer community friendly, and work parties fun to return to.
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Get to Know the Noble Puncheon
Mar 27, 2019
Have you ever wondered what those little bridges are that keep your toes dry and happy on trail? Well, meet the puncheon.
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Lopping in a Winter Wonderland: Creative Trail Maintenance in Spokane
Feb 22, 2019
When we think about trail maintenance, a winter wonderland isn’t usually the first setting that comes to mind. But this winter in Spokane, volunteer crew leader Jane Baker proved it can work, and you can have a lot of fun doing it.
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Backpack Hacks: Make This Year's Backcountry Trip Awesome
Feb 05, 2019
Learn tips for making your backcountry trip with WTA perfect.
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Volunteer Spotlight: Dana Pounds
Jan 14, 2019
WTA trail work volunteer Dana Pounds is the definition of can-do. A 20-year battle with a rare form of cancer hasn't dimmed her positivity and optimism, and losing her leg hasn't kept her off trail. She joined WTA on her first work party earlier this month.
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A Trail Work Party With Powerful History
Jan 16, 2019
This winter, WTA volunteers helped rejuvenate Japanese American Exclusion Memorial on Bainbridge Island.
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Major Gains for Lost Trails Around the State
Dec 26, 2018
This year, more than 500 volunteers devoted nearly 15,000 hours of work to saving lost trails across the state. Follow along for a look back at everything we've been up to in our Lost Trails Found campaign.
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Columbia Gorge Trails Reopen After Fire
Nov 28, 2018
Gorge area hikers rejoice! After more than a year of burn closures, several trails affected by the Eagle Creek Fire are back in business.
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Grant Helps Improve Trail Experiences in Hood Canal Area
Oct 25, 2018
Before & after: take a look at how trails were transformed thanks to a grant and a lot of hard work from WTA volunteers.
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Lost Trails Found: Summer Progress Report
Sep 19, 2018
2018 was an incredible summer for our Lost Trails Found campaign! Take a peek at some of the work we accomplished throughout the season.
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Two New Loops at Lyle Cherry Orchard
Sep 10, 2018
Thanks to the work of the Friends of the Columbia Gorge and a grant from the National Park Service, WTA will embark on the creation of two new loops and reroute on a section of the Lyle Cherry Orchard Trail in Southwest Washington.
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22 Years of Trail Work with WTA
Sep 06, 2018
From volunteer to WTA field manager, Alan Carter Mortimer has dedicated 22 years of work to Washington's trails.
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WTA and PSE: A Powerful Partnership
Aug 30, 2018
WTA and Puget Sound Energy are powerful partners in 2018 as both are committed to the health of our environment and of our communities.
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Volunteer Spotlight: Kim, Norah and Adam
Sep 10, 2018
Get to know three of our newest hard hat recipients.
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Volunteer Spotlight: Clare Paden
Aug 01, 2018
How wrestling with one stubborn stump led one volunteer to taking a leadership role in trail work parties around the state.
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Teaming Up with Northwest Youth Corps Up in the Pasayten
Jul 23, 2018
Thanks to WTA supporters and new partnerships, a Lost Trails Youth Corps crew will spend five weeks fixing hard-to-reach sections of trail in the Pasayten Wilderness.
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Coordinated Chaos: The Logistics Behind Backcountry Trips
Jul 25, 2018
Outfitting more than 40 backcountry trips over a few months takes organization, patience, and innovation. Logistics Coordinator Rick Beckel relies on spreadsheets and volunteers to keep his cool in the heat of volunteer vacation madness.
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Where are They Now? Alex Compeau, Youth Ambassador
Jun 29, 2018
Learn how a past Youth Ambassador has used his experience with WTA to further his passion for trails, outdoor recreation, and the sciences.
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Volunteer for Teanaway Community Forest's Stewardship Day
Jun 11, 2018
On June 23, join Washington Trails Association and many of our partners for a fun day of service at the Teanaway Community Forest.
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Where Are They Now? Seasonal Crew Leader Jacob Mandell
Jul 16, 2018
Jacob Mandell worked at WTA for two years and his enthusiasm, gentle leadership and big smile were big motivators for the many volunteers he worked with. He's since taken his expertise to Colorado, where he's on a trail maintenance crew in the Routt National Forest.
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Our Graduates Are Out-standing In Their Field
May 24, 2018
It's the crew leader and assistant crew leaders (many of them volunteers) who have helped WTA's trail maintenance program become what it is today. Learn how we train the people who lead you on trail.
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Like a Boss -- One Youth Volunteer Learns to Lead on Trail
May 22, 2018
Learn how Haylee Darby went from volunteer to youth ambassador to assistant crew leader.
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Where Are They Now: Arlen Bogaards
Oct 31, 2018
Arlen Bogaards is our Northwest Regional Manager, but he started his career at WTA as a volunteer.
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Where Are They Now? Seasonal Crew Leader Margaret Ullman-Hess
May 24, 2018
Now working for Mountains to Sound Greenway, Margaret Ullman-Hess got her first taste of trail work as a seasonal crew leader with WTA. We asked her what hooked her, and how she took what she learned at WTA into her professional career.
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Where Are They Now? Seasonal Crew Leader Lauren Glass
May 29, 2018
Lauren Glass joined WTA two years ago with an impressive resume from working with youth. After two years crew leading with us, she headed to Colorado to manage the youth program at Rocky Mountain Youth Corps. We caught up with her to see how it's going.
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