NWTA continues to invest in the people behind the trails, and this time, that investment is already paying off in a big way.
From April 20–22, a group of NWTA Crew Leads and Local Stewardship Team (LST) members took part in a three-day Trail Keepers of Oregon (TKO) Initial Chainsaw Bucking Certification course on Mt. Hood. While this wasn’t a traditional trail work party, the impact of the training will be felt across trail systems throughout the region in the months and years ahead.
In total, six NWTA Crew Leads and LST members participated in the course, alongside additional support from an experienced NWTA sawyer who helped lead instruction and another volunteer who shadowed the course as part of their path toward becoming an instructor.
Building Skills That Keep Trails Open
The course focused on the fundamentals of safe and effective chainsaw use in trail environments, specifically bucking, or the process of cutting fallen trees to clear trail corridors. Participants were trained in key safety procedures, hazard assessment, and best practices for working in complex and potentially dangerous conditions.
When storms roll through or winter leaves its mark, downed trees can quickly block access, create safety hazards, and disrupt entire trail systems. Having trained, certified sawyers ready to respond is essential to keeping trails open and usable.
By the end of the three-day course, every participating NWTA volunteer earned their A-level sawyer certification.
Why This Matters for the NWTA
This training represents something bigger than a single weekend.
It means NWTA now has significantly more certified sawyers ready to step in when trails need clearing, especially in backcountry and hard-to-reach areas where the work is often most urgent.
It also strengthens NWTA’s ability to respond quickly after storms, support land managers, and maintain safe access for riders, hikers, and all trail users.
In short, it builds resilience into the trail system.