IT IS GIVE BACK TIME

The wilderness areas and national parks we enjoy today didn't just happen. Starting almost 100 years ago, dedicated leaders like John Muir convinced Congress to set aside land as National Parks. It took a lot more people to convince Congress to pass the 1964 Wilderness Act. It took even more dedication and help from people like you to convince Congress to pass the 1984 Washington Wilderness Act, protecting the trails and mountains we enjoy today.

UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS NO FOREVER

Funding for building and maintaining trails is no longer a government priority.  It is now up to us to join together in an all-out effort to preserve our access to the parks and wilderness areas we worked so hard to create. It is up to us, the users, to make sure we do not loose the trails we already have and ensure the creation of new trails in keeping with the growing population.

GETTING INVOLVED

Getting involved through volunteering is easy! To get started, consider joining a volunteer trail crew with Washington Trails Association. They may be called "work" crews but they are fun and educational. Bring your family, bring your neighbors, or just come by yourself and make some new friends.  Click on "Volunteer" to find a trail you would like to work on.

Getting involved through funding means helping to finance the trail work that needs to be done. Donations of any size can either be added to the general fund or a fund of a particular project. Contact John E. Spring (the Managing Trustee) for more information on projects that are waiting for funding and he can help find one that will fit your interests.

Printable Donation Form (.pdf document)

Getting involved through Work Place Giving Programs is another method of helping preserve our trails. Boeing employees can designate the Spring Trail Fund to receive contributions through the Employee Community Fund. Started in April of 2003, U.S. Government employees can designate the Spring Family Trail Fund through the Combined Federal Campaign (in some areas). Also added in 2003 is matching employer funding for both Microsoft and Starbuck's employee gifts. We thank these generous employees and employers.

Getting involved as an Outdoor Leader is another way to help in the effort to preserve our wilderness lands and trails. Outdoor leaders take church groups and youth organizations into the state's wild lands and introduce them to the wonderful trails this state has to offer. The future of parks and wilderness areas rests in the hands of children.  It is up to us to teach them to love and respect the these untouched areas so they will become invested in defending wilderness lands for the years to come.