Interviews

I found my people on a WTA work party

Nov 04, 2025

I have been volunteering with WTA for almost 2 years and have participated in close to 200 work parties. Here's why the community of people at work parties keeps me coming back. By Anne Kang

Tiny tents and tool time: 20 years of marriage, 18 years of volunteering

Sep 22, 2025

Spokane-area assistant crew leaders Mary Beth and Jim Fitzgerald celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on-trail last fall by joining a day work party. Their shared love of the outdoors has shaped their relationship and shines through in their commitment to both each other and to trails. WTA gives them a way to spend time together and give back to trails at the same time.

Seeing the forest for the trees: A Midwestern transplant reminds me of the splendor of Washington’s old growth

Apr 23, 2025

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest. My partner is from rural Iowa. His excitement about our old-growth trees reminds me how lucky we are to have them.

Volunteer profile: Meet new ACL Cour Billadeau

Mar 04, 2025

Why Cour Billadeau — one of WTA's newest assistant crew leaders — joined WTA's trail maintenance leadership team.

What's the Tee? The scoop on WTA's backcountry shirts

Feb 05, 2025

WTA's backcountry t-shirts are a favorite with our volunteers. Get a peek behind the scenes with graphic designer Jenica Nordstrom and preview this year's design.

Why I hike through cities

Jan 21, 2025

Most urban centers in Washington provide ample green space and pedestrian infrastructure to support refreshing strolls, invigorating day hikes or epic feats of endurance. Incorporate urban walks into your ventures outside this year.

Share a story: Finding yourself on a summit journey

Jan 08, 2025

From time to time, we like to share memorable moments from our community. Here’s one of those stories from Rizka Budiati-Szkutnik (@rizkapb on Instagram).

Celebrating the lives of those we lost in 2024

Dec 05, 2024

We take a moment to reflect on the lives of some of those who we've recently lost. They are missed, but we will remember and celebrate their lives and contributions to our community for years to come.

My life through lenses: A Northwest Exposure judge on her journey as a photographer

Aug 09, 2024

Victoria Obermeyer, WTA's multimedia content coordinator reflects on her career and passion for photography.

Outdoor educators who inspire: Whatcom Intergenerational High School

Jun 24, 2024

Science teacher Cameron Kolk on how place-based education that integrates Western and Indigenous ways of knowing can foster a stronger sense of student identity, community and lasting, trusting relationships.

Outdoor educators who inspire: Tacoma Online

Jun 19, 2024

Assistant Principal Ruth Schlattmann on why it's vital for all kids to have the opportunity to experience community, set goals and stretch their comfort zones with outdoor experiences, even when they go to school in a largely online environment.

Outdoor educators who inspire: Swiftwater Learning Center

Jun 12, 2024

Educator Michele Montgomery on how she uses hands-on learning and the outdoor classroom to share a sense of place and comfort and the outdoors. For high school students growing up in a recreation and tourism town at the foot of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, those lessons can lead to lifelong passions and potential future careers.

Meet the 2024 Lost Trails Found paid crews

Jun 04, 2024

WTA's Lost Trails Found paid crews have a big summer of trail work planned. Meet some of the maintainers doing this tough work and learn what they're looking forward to in 2024. By Joseph Gonzalez

A gift to WTA that spans generations

Jun 04, 2024

One volunteer's gift honors family memories while sustaining the trails of tomorrow. By Adam Steinberg

Volunteer Profile: Rick Bennett

Mar 28, 2024

In the wilds of the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas, you can find Rick Bennett — one of WTA's dedicated volunteer crew leaders. Rick’s been a trail maintenance volunteer since 2008 and has been a crew leader (or blue hat) since 2022. Over the course of 16 years, Rick has provided volunteers fun and welcoming experiences on trail, and in February, he was recognized with the the Gig Harbor Rotary Club's Star Award.

How an introductory backcountry work party helped one volunteer feel more comfortable backpacking

Feb 14, 2024

Jess Wolf had never been backpacking before signing up for a 3-day intro BCRT work party. Not only did she gain more trail work experience that weekend, but she left with the confidence to take on more backpacking trips afterward.

A WTA Work Party was a Life-Changing Trip for One Youth Volunteer

Dec 27, 2023

How one connection made on a youth volunteer vacation was life-changing for a young trail volunteer.

How Two Fireside Circle Members are Making a Difference with WTA

Oct 10, 2023

Two Fireside Circle members share how and why they support WTA, both as volunteers and donors.

The Power of Annual Trail Maintenance

Aug 17, 2023

WTA's Claire Thompson reflects on why the less-glamorous tasks of annual trail maintenance are some of the most important, cost-effective and impactful trail work we do.

Volunteer Profile: The Pie Guy Is Delivering Smiles to the Backcountry One Slice at a Time

Aug 14, 2023

Meet Mike Read, the "Pie Guy," whose passion for conservation, community, and culinary delights has brought joy to the trail crews of Washington.

Meet the Lost Trails Found Crew for 2023

Jun 08, 2023

Our Lost Trails Found Crew has some exciting work planned for 2023. Meet some of the crewmembers and learn what they're most looking forward to this summer. By Joseph Gonzalez

Scrolling Trip Reports Might be the Best Time I Spend Online

May 26, 2023

Trip reports are so much more than just a record of trail conditions. (Although they're great for that!) Trip reports are a great way to share your adventures with the people you love. And a way to leave a tremendously helpful record for yourself.

A Crew Leader’s Story of Woodinville’s New Trail Next Door

May 05, 2023

Volunteer Micki Kedzierski shares her account of a new trail that creates easy access to nature for locals in unincorporated King County. The Greenbrier Trail (and the story of its development) are full of surprises.

WTA Work Party Puts Youth Volunteer on Path to an Outdoors Career

May 02, 2023

A WTA work party put a dedicated WTA youth volunteer on a path to a career in the outdoors.

Honoring a Volunteer for Decades of Dedication to Trails

Apr 17, 2023

WTA thanks Pat Limberg for years of volunteering, both on and off trail, with our white hat award. By Laura Norsen

Trekking by Transit: Tips from a WTA trip reporter

Mar 17, 2023

K. Huntress Inskeep is a Seattle-based writer and transit and active-transportation advocate who writes trip reports under the name TransitTrekker. When we noticed how far afield she had gotten using transit systems, we had to know more about her approach. So we called her up and asked her a few questions.

Interview With a WTA Ambassador

Jan 13, 2023

We recently sat down to talk with Kathleen Lange, a longtime WTA volunteer ambassador who’s been part of the program since 2018, to chat about why she loves the role and connecting with hikers.

Meet WTA's New CEO: Jaime Loucky

Jan 11, 2023

From growing up in the foot of the North Cascades to taking on the leadership of WTA, learn why Jaime is passionate about WTA's vision and community.

Let’s Play: King County Coalition Comes Together to Get Youth Outside

Sep 20, 2022

King County Play Equity Coalition is a network of organizations dedicated to making changes that make it easier for young people in all communities to move their bodies outside — and to get all of the benefits that come with play.

How Libraries are Building a Path to the Outdoors

Aug 29, 2022

The King County Library System (KCLS) aims to support the community in their outdoor endeavors by providing hiking- and outdoor-specific resources for many years.