Mt. Hood National Forest is a unique and special place – in essence, an urban Forest with wilderness experiences for the 2.5 million people of the Portland metro region, Columbia Gorge towns and surrounding communities. TKO has drummed a beat here for well over a decade, drastically expanding our stewardship and advocacy efforts.

A number of initiatives have made for a powerful time for trail stewardship in this region:

• The National Forest System Trail Stewardship Act of 2016 was passed into law by the US Congress, requiring the Agency to significantly increase the role of partners and volunteers in trail maintenance and enhancements. 
• The U.S. Forest Service established a 10-Year Trail Stewardship Challenge in 2018. This effort challenges the Forest Service and partners nationwide to focus, innovate, and collaborate to achieve a sustainable system of trails that meet the needs of current and future trail users, improve access to national forests and grasslands, and provide health and economic benefits to communities.
• U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region establishes a Sustainable Trails Strategy to Modernize the Pacific Northwest’s trail network to provide a world class experience in a way that meets the needs of present and future generations and to sustain or enhance the ecological, social, and economic conditions.

Clackamas River Trail has been an annual site for our leaders to care for trails since 2013. Just under 3 years ago, the National Forest Foundation identified Mt. Hood National Forest as the next site for their Treasured Landscapes campaign and we jumped in with trail parties and trainings through our development of a trails training weekend called TKO Tread School. Not only has that training allowed us to engage new volunteers, the program has shed light on trails like the Salmon River Trail.