Volunteer Event - WTA - Riverside - Trail Construction & Maintenance
Event Date
-
Overview:
Trautman Conservation Area is located in the heart of Riverside State Park. It is an old ranch that is crisscrossed by cow paths, user-built trails and ranch roads. We will be working to help formalize the trail system and address some trail issues that make the present trails unsustainable. Help to make this another great hiking area in Riverside State Park!
About the Area:
This 275.8-acre conservation area in the heart of Riverside State Park was acquired in 2015 through Spokane County's Conservation Futures Program. This property was acquired with assistance from the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy and the Trautman Family. The property is managed by Riverside State Park through a management agreement between Spokane County and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. It encompasses meadows and open woodland over rolling terrain.
What to Expect:
We'll have fun, work hard and make a difference! No experience is necessary.
Project Description:
The ongoing goal at Trautman is to formalize the trail system on the property. This will mean improving some trails while decommissioning and abandoning others. We will be working with State Parks staff to build some new trail segments as well as improve some existing trails on the property. The Meadow Trail is a short connector trail near the Trautman Barns. If we wrap up early, we will also provide some maintenance on nearby trails.
Trautman Conservation Area is located in the heart of Riverside State Park. It is an old ranch that is crisscrossed by cow paths, user-built trails and ranch roads. We will be working to help formalize the trail system and address some trail issues that make the present trails unsustainable. Help to make this another great hiking area in Riverside State Park!
About the Area:
This 275.8-acre conservation area in the heart of Riverside State Park was acquired in 2015 through Spokane County's Conservation Futures Program. This property was acquired with assistance from the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy and the Trautman Family. The property is managed by Riverside State Park through a management agreement between Spokane County and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. It encompasses meadows and open woodland over rolling terrain.
What to Expect:
We'll have fun, work hard and make a difference! No experience is necessary.
Project Description:
The ongoing goal at Trautman is to formalize the trail system on the property. This will mean improving some trails while decommissioning and abandoning others. We will be working with State Parks staff to build some new trail segments as well as improve some existing trails on the property. The Meadow Trail is a short connector trail near the Trautman Barns. If we wrap up early, we will also provide some maintenance on nearby trails.
Hiking Information
Our hike to the project site is expected to be up to 4 miles roundtrip over gently rolling terrain.
Schedule
- 8:30 AM: Be ready to sign in and meet the crew, rain or shine
- 8:35 AM: Gather for a safety briefing, then hike to the project site
- Morning: Work at your own pace, and take breaks throughout the day
- 12:00 PM: Lunch on the trail
- Afternoon: Consider trying a new task before wrapping up the day's work
- 3:30 PM: Sign out after enjoying refreshments at the trailhead
For safety reasons, arriving late or leaving early is not allowed.
Planning Information
Get ready for a great day outside!
What it Takes to Do This Work Party
- No experience is necessary—just bring a great attitude for working with a team! WTA provides the training and tools you need
- Expect to be physically active at your own pace for up to 6 hours on uneven terrain
- Recommended for ages 10 and older; under 14 must be accompanied by an adult and a parental consent form must be signed for anyone under 18
What to Wear
Required:
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes
- Work gloves
- Eye protection (glasses, sunglasses, or safety glasses)
- Long pants
Recommended:
- Sturdy work or hiking boots
- Long sleeved shirt
A hard hat will be provided by WTA. Additionally, work gloves and eye protection will be provided by WTA if you do not have your own, but when possible we recommend bringing your own. For safety reasons, certain tasks may be assigned based on the safety level of your footwear. Volunteers who do not have long pants, or sturdy closed toes shoes, will not be able to participate in the work party.
What to Bring
- Lunch and plenty of water
- Rain jacket and pants
- Extra warm clothing in case of wet or cold weather
- A pack to carry your personal gear
- A sense of fun and adventure for learning new skills and meeting great people!
Firearms and weapons are not allowed.
More Information
- Frequently Asked Questions
- WTA's Trail Work Guide introduces the type of work you may do
- Contact us at volunteer@wta.org or 206.625.1367
Related events
31 Oct
Volunteer Event - Riverside - Scotch Broom Removal
Scotch Broom is a Class B Noxious Weed that crowds out native species and can be harmful to habitat. Within the Little Spokane Natural Area, there is a large and growing area of this invasive plant. We will be targeting smaller patches of this plant along the edges of the affected area.
07 Nov
Volunteer Event - Riverside - Forest Health Thinning
Where: Wilber Trailhead, The Centennial TrailNine Mile Falls, WA 99026
47.732302158191175, -117.51374203298147
Overview: Riverside State Park consists of 9,194 acres along the Spokane and Little Spokane rivers. Recreational opportunities include mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, boating and more!
Project Description: From Wilber Trailhead, we will walk down the Centennial trail about ½ mile to the CCC camp area. There are several overstocked stands of Ponderosa Pine trees in the area that could use some thinning. By removing the weaker trees and leaving the appropriate amount of space for the healthier trees, we can improve the health of the stand as well as reduce wildfire severity risks. We will start out by using handsaws and loppers to remove smaller trees. For the second half of the event, we can fire up the woodchipper and broadcast the mulch within the newly thinned stand of trees.
15 Nov
Volunteer Event - Riverside - Wilber Trailhead
Where: Wilber Trailhead, The Centennial TrailNine Mile Falls, WA 99026
47.732302158191175, -117.51374203298147
Overview:
Riverside State Park consists of 9,194 acres along the Spokane and Little Spokane rivers. Recreational opportunities include mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, boating and more!
Project Description:
From Wilber Trailhead, we will walk down the Centennial trail about ½ mile to the CCC camp area. There are several overstocked stands of Ponderosa Pine trees in the area that could use some thinning. By removing the weaker trees and leaving the appropriate amount of space for the healthier trees, we can improve the health of the stand as well as reduce wildfire severity risks. We will start out by using handsaws and loppers to remove smaller trees. For the second half of the event, we can fire up the woodchipper and broadcast the mulch within the newly thinned stand of trees.