A Walk in the Woods

Larry climbs out of his car at the north trailhead of Thurston Hills Natural Area and pulls on his neon volunteer vest. He pops the trunk and pulls out a bright red Jerry’s bucket, full of miscellaneous tools. The bucket is new, unlike his vest, which is showing signs of wear and overuse. Larry’s previous bucket, which once held five gallons of soy sauce, finally broke after many years. He talks about it like an old friend.

Larry first joined Willamalane’s Trail Stewards program back in 2021, when it was called Trail Keepers. He had recently retired and was looking for ways to meet new people, stay active, and make a difference in his community. 

The Trail Steward program, updated and relaunched last summer, supports 10 stewards who coordinate with district staff to maintain their assigned trail. They spend an average of eight hours per month, or roughly 100 hours per year, performing basic maintenance such as picking up trash and dog waste, removing debris from the trail, trimming back invasive species, and reporting hazards to staff. The goal of the program is to provide meaningful opportunities for volunteers to independently care for natural areas and maintain welcoming, safe, and accessible trails. No experience is required as stewards receive hands-on training and tools, as well as the opportunity to participate in trail projects.

Larry has a meticulous and thoughtful approach to maintaining his 1-mile section of the Lower Mossy Maple Trail at Thurston Hills Natural Area. He jokes that his methods may not be the most efficient, but they reflect his intimate knowledge of the trail and his careful consideration of each visitor's experience and perception of the place. This intimate knowledge means he notices when a flower has been picked and can recall which windstorm took down a particular branch. Larry draws on his experience hiking in New Zealand, where he was inspired by how the closeness of the vegetation made him feel fully immersed in the landscape. He tries to find a balance between replicating that experience and keeping vegetation from becoming a hazard. 

When he first joined the program, he hoped people would see him out caring for the trails and be inspired to do the same. His plan worked when Jack, a frequent hiker, saw Larry caring for the area and became a trail steward as well. Since starting, Larry said the experience has given him even more than he imagined.

Larry's top priority in this role is maintaining an inviting atmosphere that fosters peace and a sense of belonging. "Not everyone has access to nature in their backyard. Public spaces like Thurston Hills are so important for the community, so everyone has the opportunity to experience a walk in the woods." Hikers frequently thank Larry for his service on the trail, but he also witnesses a lot of gratitude for Thurston Hills. Lots of people share his love and appreciation for this place, and it shows in the ways visitors help care for the trails, too. 

While dedicated volunteers like Larry certainly make a big difference in their roles, you don’t need a fancy vest to contribute to the care of natural areas. You can make a difference just by enjoying these trails responsibly, like picking up after your pets, keeping pets on a leash, staying on designated trails, and respecting plants and animals. And while you’re out soaking up all the magic of a walk in the woods, don’t forget to give a friendly wave to your local trail steward.

Volunteering at Willamalane

Volunteers support a variety of programs and services across the district, including special events, youth athletics, community services, and adult recreation. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities here. Sign up or create an account to get notified when new opportunities are posted. All trail steward positions for 2026 have been filled, and 2027 opportunities will be posted later this year.

For questions about trail stewardship or the volunteer program, contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Maggie, at maggie.odriscoll@willamalane.org.