Washington State is unique in its forests of thick evergreens, acres of ferns and ancient moss-caked boulders. It’s easy to take for granted the rough, sometimes rocky and root-worn trails leading through the wilderness, but aside from the state’s Department of Natural Resources, it’s the efforts of volunteers and dedicated organizations that allow us access to the treasure of wilderness all around us.
Since 1966, the Washington Trails Association has protected and maintained trails in Washington State forests, keeping possible wilderness opportunities for literally generations of hikers. Their philosophy about how to protect the wilderness is to get as many people as possible out to enjoy it.“The secret to protecting trails and wilderness lies in getting people outside, on the trails, and exploring in the wilderness,” reads the website’s program page.
Forests and trails are threatened by a multitude of eco-unfriendly interests, among them deforestation, roadbuilding and even overuse. To keep people enjoying and caring about the wellbeing of Washington trails, the WTA files thousands of trip reports every year for hikers to enjoy. To keep the trails maintained in 2008, they brought more than 1,600 volunteers to trail maintenance work parties. They even helped secure $500,000 for trails managed by the Department of Natural Resources.
Like Eco Encore, the WTA is driven by its volunteers, and there are plenty of volunteer opportunities, from office and outreach work to trail maintenance work parties—at your fifth work party you get a personalized WTA hardhat!
Visit the WTA website and get make sure to enjoy the Washington wilderness before the season is over.
