WTA Trailhead Ambassadors: Here for You on Trails

There’s nothing quite like face-to-face connections to share important information. That’s why, over the summer, WTA expanded several partnerships to put ambassadors at trailheads. Washington has long been a hub for hiking and outdoor recreation, but since the pandemic, even more people are spending time outside, which means we have new opportunities to educate people about how to recreate safely and responsibly. By having ambassadors at popular trailheads, we have a chance to connect directly with hikers, answer questions and help them hike safely and responsibly.

Central and Northern Washington

In partnership with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, 16 volunteers talked to hikers and other folks at six sites over the summer. WTA seasonal staff members Madison Anderson and Sydney Beckett supported and worked alongside these volunteers to welcome people, answer questions and provide educational materials about recreating responsibly.

Ambassadorship is all about connecting the two things we like the most: fellow hikers, and the trails we meet on! Photo courtesy of WTA staff

“I am so amazed at how people are willing to travel around the state to volunteer and protect the places they love,” Madison said. “Most of our volunteers woke up bright and early to drive hours to volunteer sites.”

Ambassadors met folks of all kinds: hikers, boaters, hunters, birders, bikers and horseback riders, showing that Washingtonians love to get outdoors in many different ways. 

Mountain Loop Highway

Nowhere was it more clear how many people are getting outside than at Lake 22, where ambassadors worked with Glacier Peak Institute and counted about 1,000 hikers each weekend. It was clear that people were looking not only to experience nature, but also to connect with others. It was common to see large hiking groups. While the most common questions had to do with parking and permitting, volunteers had a variety of conversations about the trail, how to get involved with WTA and trail work and how to be a responsible hiker.

Owen Daryani, trailhead ambassador program coordinator for Glacier Peak Institute, took a group photo for these happy hikers at Lake 22. Photo by Linda Martindell

“People were truly appreciative and surprised to see organizations out there that are just there to help and have nothing to sell,” said Linda Martindell, a WTA ambassador who spent 5 days talking to hikers at Lake 22. 

The Gorge

• Where we worked
• In the summer of 2023, WTA ambassadors and our partners connected with folks at nine locations:
• - 6 trailheads in Central and Northern Washington
• - 2 trailheads on the Mountain Loop Highway
• - 2 trailheads in the Columbia River Gorge 

In the Columbia River Gorge, WTA ambassadors were joined by Trailkeepers of Oregon volunteers to conduct trailhead outreach at Beacon Rock State Park and Cape Horn trailheads. In just 2 days, they talked with 132 hikers. These efforts were made possible through support from the Gorge Stewardship Network, and we are excited to continue working in this area in the future. 

Trailhead outreach has looked a little different at each site and region, but the response has been positive. People appreciate WTA and our partners’ efforts to provide information and resources, and — if nothing else — a smiling face.