May 2025

We have some fun trail work days coming up, and we would love to have your help! While it may seem like the trail fairies come out each year and maintain existing trail and construct new ones, the reality is that it takes our blood, sweat, tears (and love for the trails) to make the real magic happen. Volunteer help is crucial to this effort, and we welcome everyone to lend a hand.

Work days will be monthly, so stay tuned for details here and on social media. Our next work day is:

Saturday, May 17th, 9am - Noon: Rake and Ride at the Bethel Community Forest.

The trails at the Bethel Community Forest are opening for the season this Saturday, and we’re kicking things off with a volunteer work day at the Locke Mountain Parking Lot. Come lend a hand as we wrap up some light maintenance tasks and get the trails ready. If you’re a regular hiker or rider, we’d love your help as a trail adopter to keep an eye on trail conditions throughout the season. We'll offer a quick how-to for anyone interested. Trails will officially open for riding at noon!

Please wear clothing appropriate for working in the outdoors. Light refreshments and tools will be provided.

Got questions or need more information? Please click on the button below to email Andy, our Trails Director.

Can't help out on a specific work day but would love to adopt one of our trails? Contact Andy for that as well.

Have you Renewed Your Summer Membership?

Why renew or become a member? Membership dollars help us maintain our existing warmer weather trail networks as well as provide funding for new trails, including hiking, mountain biking, and multi-use trails. New members receive an awesome IWT swag item (hat or t-shirt.) Happy Trails!

Finds in the Forest

What’s Travis doing to that tree? (Click the image to see the video.)

Our Lands Coordinator is girdling it - intentionally cutting into the bark to slowly kill the tree. Why? To create a snag, a standing dead tree that plays a vital role in a healthy forest. As it decays, it forms cavities, sheds limbs, and offers perching spots for birds. Meanwhile, it gives younger trees a chance to grow into the canopy. We don’t just build and maintain trails - we also care for the forest as a whole.