How to Support Outdoorsy Nonprofits in the Willamette Valley
All year long, the outdoors of the Willamette Valley and Cascade Range welcome visitors from around the world—and remain as vibrant as ever, thanks in large part to the tireless dedication of local nonprofits.
We wanted to shine a spotlight and support these nonprofits, so we’re excited to introduce you to five change-making organizations across the Willamette Valley. As part of that effort, we’re showing what each nonprofit does, the outdoor opportunities they most passionately support, what projects they’ve been involved with, and how they get it all done. If you’re moved by their missions, we’d encourage you to take the next step and donate your time or money to the cause.
Keep reading for more on a handful of outdoorsy nonprofits—and how they’re shaping hiking, trail running, and mountain biking experiences throughout our beautiful region.
Cascade Volunteers
If you've ever hiked to a sweeping viewpoint on a path clear of debris, gazed upon a crystal-clear lake, or cooked dinner over a backcountry campfire ring in the Willamette National Forest, it's probably because of Cascade Volunteers and its hardworking team.
Cascade Volunteers is the official nonprofit partner of the Willamette National Forest—with more than 3,600 volunteers contributing nearly 200,000 hours to various projects since the organization's formation in 2005. Its efforts range from the readily apparent—like trail maintenance and tree planting—to less-visible work, such as building relationships with community members, training volunteers, and applying for grants. Learn more about Cascade Volunteers, which has long been a key partner on our annual Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt.
Trailkeepers of Oregon
Did you know that most of your favorite hiking trails were built roughly 80 years ago? And would you be surprised to know that funding for maintenance hasn't kept pace with an explosive growth in hiking during that time?
The nonprofit Trailkeepers of Oregon was founded in 2007 to address that maintenance backlog—and to preserve, beautify, and champion trails across the Beaver State. In 2024, TKO (as the organization is commonly known) helped improve more than 140 miles of trails with the help of nearly 4,000 volunteers. TKO's extensive efforts also include hosting and maintaining the Oregon Hikers Field Guide, advocates for greater protections and more funding, and leads work parties to keep our outdoor spaces accessible for all.
Team Dirt
Mountain biking has grown enormously around Corvallis, with more than 150 miles of trails offering plenty of thrills at Alsea Falls, Marys Peak, Bald Hill, and other forested outposts.
Team Dirt, a chapter of International Mountain Bicycling Association, is the local nonprofit tasked with keeping Benton County trails in prime condition. In all, the organization works to preserve access, advocates for expanded use, promotes responsible ridership, and maintains paths throughout the Corvallis region. Donations help support those efforts by funding insurance, building community through special events, training volunteers (who collectively contribute thousands of hours annually), buying equipment, and more.
Salem Area Trails Alliance
Outdoor opportunities around Salem range from lightly developed neighborhood parks to backcountry adventures in the Cascade foothills. And to help users enjoy each experience to its fullest, the Salem Area Trails Alliance works on a variety of key projects throughout the year.
Much of the nonprofit's work entails routine maintenance; for instance, volunteers may convene work parties to keep the Croisan Scenic Trail and Skyline Trail clear in South Salem—both so-called "pocket trails" that measure about a mile long and make mountain biking more accessible. Crews also build trails, such as the Catamount Trail in Silver Falls State Park.
Elsewhere, the Salem Area Trails Alliance has in recent years collaborated with a variety of related organizations and helped fund a number of projects that improve outdoor access for runners, hikers, and mountain bikers—such as construction of Geer Bike Park & Trail Facility near Salem's eastern edge.
Oakridge Trail Alliance
In the Cascade foothills, the community of Oakridge is known the world over for its epic mountain-biking trails—a reputation that wouldn't be possible without the nonprofit Oakridge Trails Alliance.
The OTA, as it's frequently known, brings together volunteers, local businesses, land managers, and other stakeholders to build and maintain trails, improve access, and advocate for the outdoors in a variety of creative ways. Some of the OTA's recent projects include replacing a pump track with a bike skills park in Oakridge, clearing debris from some of the region's most popular trails, and building bridges and switchbacks.
Feeling inspired and excited to support the outdoors? Please consider making a donation to one of these great nonprofits today!
