Written by Nancy Stone The Trail Sustainability Institute, NWTA’s trail education program, kicked off its first Trail School Fundamentals class at the new Cascade Locks trails in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area on Saturday, November 9th. Like all Trail School Fundamentals classes, volunteers learn tool identification, best safety practices, trail anatomy, and what … Read More
Written by Nancy Stone With multiple dig days scheduled across the region every week, having Crew Leaders to lead those events is paramount to the success of NWTA’s stewardship efforts. Each fall, dedicated volunteers from several trail systems come together to learn the ins and outs of leadership on the trail. This year’s training on … Read More
Written by Elaine Bothe Beginner Adults got camp time during our Gateway Green Bike Park summer series! Why leave all the education to the kids? In July and August this last summer, the NWTA and Portland Parks & Recreation teamed up with Coach Elaine Bothe to offer adult classes for beginners on Monday evenings and … Read More
Written by Nancy Stone, NWTA Vice President, Education & Sustainability Director The Trail Sustainability Institute (TSI), NWTA’s educational program ventured to the coast and held Trail School: Fundamentals at the Klootchy Creek trail system on February 17, 2024. These trail schools equip participants with the fundamental skills needed to understand and implement sustainable maintenance practices … Read More
On the weekend of September 23 & 24, 2023, NWTA hosted a pilot machine operator training program with a beginner class. Seven students – longtime volunteers and crew leads with NWTA – met to learn how to safely operate our mini excavator and get some practice time under local machine building legend Jason Wells. NWTA … Read More
On May 11, nineteen people attended a basic bike maintenance clinic generously hosted by Trek Beaverton! Everyone began the evening with a bit of socializing while enjoying the NWTA x Hopworks Trail Time IPA. Matt at Trek Beaverton is a clinic pro, and started the clinic off by soliciting what information participants were really wanting … Read More
Written by Elaine Bothe, NWTA Instructor Chilly but no rain during 2023’s first Kids’ Ride at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park! Stub Stewart State Park has quite the range of trails to suit every level of rider! At the NWTA’s first Kids’ Ride of 2023, a good crew showed up with all the right layers … Read More
Written by Nancy Stone, Education & Sustainability Director ([email protected]) The Trail Sustainability Institute (TSI) travels 6-7 months out of the year, holding Trail Schools at different trail systems within 60 miles of the Portland area. Each location boasts different ecosystems, soil types, forests, and land management restrictions/guidelines. So although the Trail School curriculum is consistent, oftentimes, … Read More
The cold and snow didn’t stop seven hardy NWTA sawyers from a massive project at Klootchy Creek on Saturday, March 25. The volunteers showed up at Klootchy Creek to clear hundreds upon hundreds of matted, snow-covered trees left on the ground from a commercial thinning project. The slash was 4-5 feet high in a freshly … Read More
Written by Isabella Taylor On March 3rd, the NW Trail Sisters and River City Bicycles teamed up to host a women-led brake bleed clinic, and it was truly a night to be remembered. It’s been a while since River City has held tech clinics in-house, so Sarah and I were ready to scheme up a … Read More