Volunteers Gather To Prepare Trails In The Tillamook Forest For Summer Visitors (Photo) - 04/19/26
Headline: Groups of Volunteers collaborate for 3rd Annual MEGA Spring Trail Cleanup in the Tillamook Forest.
Dateline: April 19, 2026
Introduction (Lead Paragraph):
- Who: Seventy volunteers from multiple groups including NW Trail Alliance (event organizer), Westside Trail Federation, TrailKeepers of Oregon, the State Forests Trust of Oregon, Oregon Equestrian Trails, and others gathered to clean up more than 8 miles of trails at Rogers Camp Loop in the Tillamook State Forest in preparation for summer activities. Participants included hikers, mountain-bikers, equestrians, and others of all ages who recreate on the amazing public trails found in the Tillamook State Forest, Oregon’s largest state forest.
- What: To clean up non-motorized trails in preparation for spring, summer and fall trail activities. Activities included clearing the trail corridor of debris and encroaching shrubbery, tread improvement, restoring drainage, brushing, and other tasks needed to keep the trails sustainable for the coming seasons.
- When: The event took place on April 18th, 2026, from 8:30 am to 3 pm, with trail cleanup in the morning, followed by lunch, volunteer recognition, and fun activities in the afternoon.
- Where: Trail Cleanup was staged from multiple trailheads, centered around Rogers Camp. Lunch and Volunteer Recognition activities took place starting at 12:30 at the Smith Homestead: 45500 Wilson River Highway 6, Tillamook, Oregon 97141.
- Why: Each year, winter storms wreak havoc on the trails. Did you know that the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) depends on a huge cohort of volunteers to assist with building and maintaining trails? Most of these volunteer groups also work to raise their own funds to help pay for the work needed to maintain the trails each year. Hard costs, such as the building, maintenance and operation of campgrounds and trailheads (vault toilets) are managed directly by ODF staff and budgets.
- How: Volunteers gathered in the early, misty morning at the designated location for each team, working within the group they registered through for the event. About noon, participants wrapped up trail work and headed over to the Smith Homestead, to gather for lunch which was provided by the State Forests Trust of Oregon. Four groups were awarded State Forests Champion awards in recognition for their stellar performance and outstanding commitment to community service: Northwest Trail Alliance, TrailKeepers of Oregon, Westside Trail Federation, and Oregon Equestrian Trails. The Smith Homestead is operated by the Oregon Department of Forestry through the Tillamook State Forest.
Quotes:
Nancy Stone, Trail Stewardship Director, 360-430-8594 | nw-trail.org :
“Northwest Trail Alliance is proud to join the State Forests Trust of Oregon, Westside Trail Federation, Trailkeepers of Oregon, Daybreak Racing, and Oregon Equestrian Trails for a powerful day of collective stewardship in the Tillamook State Forest. Each of these organizations contributes meaningful volunteer time and expertise to caring for Oregon’s public trails throughout the year. By coming together for this Mega Trail Event, we multiply our impact- restoring winter-damaged trails, improving drainage and tread, and preparing the forest for a safe and sustainable recreation season.
This collaborative effort reflects a shared commitment to caring for our public lands. When hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners, and equestrians work side by side, we not only accomplish critical maintenance in a single day- we strengthen the partnerships that ensure these trails remain accessible, resilient, and welcoming for all.”
Nathan Frechen Volunteer Coordinator, NW Trail Alliance, https://www.westsidetrailfederation.com/
"Whether you're a runner, hiker, mountain biker, or equestrian – it’s great to come out and join other volunteers in a large-scale trail maintenance effort in the Tillamook State Forest! No experience or tools are needed to participate. Crew leaders were on-site to help answer any questions throughout the day"
Ryan McLane, President, Westside Trail Federation: "The Tillamook State Forest MEGA TRAIL Spring Cleanup Day was truly one-of-a-kind, there's nothing else like this in the Tillamook State Forest. Trail users (of diverse disciplines) all coming together for such a massive trail cleanup effort was incredibly rewarding. The afterparty at Smith Homestead was icing on the cake."
Steve Kruger, Executive Director | Trailkeepers of Oregon, trailkeepersoforegon.org | oregonhikers.org
“When trail partners come together like this, it’s a powerful demonstration of what shared stewardship really looks like. No matter how you recreate — hiking, riding, running, or rolling — we are all Trailkeepers. Some joy in trailkeeping is often quiet, patient work: lopping branches one at a time, shaping tread scoop by scoop with hand tools. It can feel slow in the moment, but when dozens of people show up shoulder to shoulder, those individual swings add up to something extraordinary. Add in good food and a few chocolate breaks, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for community-powered trails.”
Virginia Ohler, Executive Director, State Forests Trust of Oregon: The Trust was delighted to once again support this amazing day of collaboration in the Tillamook State Forest, and to acknowledge the incredible work done by these dedicated volunteers who do so much to keep our trails open and accessible.
ABOUT US: The State Forests Trust of Oregon is an independent, 501-c-3 charitable non-profit organization dedicated to helping Oregonians and visitors enjoy and appreciate Oregon state forests. The Trust helps fund improved access for anglers, off-road vehicle enthusiasts, hikers, and other people as they experience the wonder of Oregon’s beautiful natural heritage.
In addition, the State Forests Trust of Oregon (SFT) supports programs to deepen Oregonian’s understanding of the many benefits of state forests.
Founded in 1999, SFT (formerly “Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust”) brought the community together to build the Tillamook Forest Center, where visitors learn about the Tillamook Forest’s first inhabitants, the disastrous wildfires of early last century, as well as the work of the Oregon Department of Forestry to manage state forests. The Trust helps expand trail systems, study visitor use of recreation areas and helps restore areas impacted by the 2020 Labor Day fires.
https://www.stateforeststrust.org/
NW Trail Alliance (NWTA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit trail stewardship organization whose mission is to create, enhance, and protect mountain bike riding opportunities; to advocate for trail access; to promote responsible mountain biking; and to build, maintain, and ride sustainable trails.
Located in Portland OR, NWTA sustainably stewards trails within roughly a 60 mile radius extending from the Oregon coast, into parts of Southern Washington’s Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Mount St Helens National Monument, and to the Western foothills of Mount Hood National Forest, working with approximately 12 federal, state, county, and municipal land management agencies, as well as private land managers. To create, enhance, and protect mountain bike riding opportunities; to advocate for trail access; to promote responsible mountain biking; and to build, maintain, and ride sustainable trails. NWTA provides educational trail stewardship and mountain bike programming for members and local communities to increase access to the outdoors through all types of off-road cycling. https://nw-trail.org/about-us/
Media Contact:
Virginia Ohler, Executive Director, State Forests Trust: 503-310-9585 virginia.ohler@stateforeststrust.org
Lisa Olivares, Executive Director, NWTA: (503) 213-3968 lisao@nw-trail.org
LINK TO VIDEO:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/kfa9a9rk12x1g9ofejnzv/Trail-story-demo.mp4?rlkey=sbogwv076mky3s98rnjai1dpi&st=f3dfqiz8&dl=0
Persons speaking on the video are: Carrie Johnston and Brandon Darby. Both were volunteers at the event. Permission is on file for all images. Contact Virginia Ohler with any questions.
