Volunteer as a Trailhead Ambassador Across Washington State

October 4, 2024

Post By: Caroline Villanova, National Heritage Area Manager

Did you know that you can make a difference in outdoor recreation by joining a trailhead ambassador program? Trailhead ambassadors are outreach and engagement programs designed to educate and empower visitors that hike, bike, and camp across the region by showing them how to recreate responsibly. Being a friendly face at a trailhead or campground can help directly connect people to important information and build connections to people and places.

In response to the surge in outdoor recreation across Washington state, numerous programs have emerged to address issues like littering, parking problems, safety concerns, and wildlife conflicts. Ambassador programs aim to educate the public on local wildlife, trail conditions, and responsible recreation, enhancing user experiences and promoting respect for nature. These initiatives collaborate to share insights, provide support, and expand their reach. Here’s a list of ambassador programs that are looking for future trailhead ambassadors who want to make a difference on the landscape!

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Ambassador Program

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Ambassador Program started with WDFW’s 10-Year Recreation Strategy, which aims to improve visitor experiences and reduce recreation impacts that come with the dramatic increase of people visiting WDFW-managed lands.

WDFW partners with local organizations to train volunteers to welcome visitors at popular points of entry on WDFW-managed lands. These volunteers provide information about the area and offer education so that they can recreate safely and responsibly. In 2024, WDFW partnered with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust and the Methow Valley Trails Collaborative for this program. Learn more about WDFW’s work here.

WDFW 2024 ambassadors tabled in the Methow Wildlife Area, the Wenas Wildlife Area, and the LT Murray Wildlife Area

Methow Valley Trails Collaborative

The Methow Valley Trails Collaborative (MVTC) is a nonprofit focused on enhancing sustainable trail experiences in the Methow Valley. In efforts to do just this, MVTC kicked off their first season running ambassador programming in 2024 by partnering with WDFW’s program. By tabling at Big Valley, Lewis Butte, and Pipestone Canyon, their staff and volunteers had many conversations about leash requirements and seasonal closures to help limit the impact on wildlife in the area. You can find information about MVTC and their work here.

Conservation Northwest Wildlife Ambassador Program

Conservation Northwest (CNW) is a nonprofit focused on protecting, connecting, and restoring wildlands and wildlife that created a wildlife ambassador program in partnership with the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest. They aim to enhance the enjoyment of nature by promoting the ‘recreate with respect’ message, which encourages learning about and respecting wildlife. By partnering with the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe’s Ancestral Lands Movement, they engaged nearly 14,000 people at the Middle Fork Campground & Trailhead, Pratt Lake Trailhead, and Snow Lake Trailhead in 2024. Check out their program here.

Conservation Northwest trailhead ambassadors with the US Forest Service at Snow Lake Trailhead

Mountains to Sound Greenway Trailhead Ambassador Program

The Greenway Trust worked with the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and WDFW to host a trailhead ambassador program at five trailheads in 2024. The program focused on spreading responsible recreation messaging at some of the busiest trails and trailheads on the east side of the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area, to inspire an environmental stewardship ethic. Learn more about our ambassador program and how to be a trailhead ambassador volunteer here.

Greenway Trust trailhead ambassadors volunteered at Manastash Ridge Trailhead, Joe Watt Canyon, Esmerelda Trailhead, Cathedral Pass, Rachel Lake

Washington Trails Association Ambassadors

Washington Trails Association (WTA) supported volunteer ambassadors in nearly every corner of the state this summer. Volunteers tabled at thirteen different locations and supported multiple land managers in sharing positive recreation education throughout the summer. WTA’s ambassadors focused on encouraging positive trail behaviors, especially staying on trail and not cutting switchbacks, which is a big problem for the trail (not to mention the plants that get trampled). WTA has some great tips and tricks on being good trail stewards, and ways to recreate responsibly here.

WTA trailhead ambassadors encouraged hikers to take a pledge to stay on trail!

With so many ways to connect to nature in Washington state, we must work together to encourage responsible recreation so that the next generation of recreationists, wildlife, and habitats can thrive. We are proud to be part of a growing list of Tribes, organizations, and agencies providing educational resources to these types of programs, and hope to be able to expand our impact, which includes supporting an increase in funding for programs like these, through this collective work.

Interested in Starting an Ambassador Program?

There are thousands of trails, campgrounds and natural areas throughout the state, so there is no shortage of organizations working together to provide this type of education! This list is likely just a snapshot of programming like this throughout the state, and we are eager to connect to build robust and supportive programming that can learn and grow together. If you happen to be part of an organization or group currently participating in a program like this or want to learn more about starting your own ambassador program, please reach out to Allie Tripp (allie@wta.org) to join in on these conversations!