Where Does Your Gift to WTA Go?

If you’re reading this, you’re probably a big fan of WTA’s work — at least we hope you are! There’s a lot that goes into making WTA’s work possible, and donations from members help us help you get outside. 

When we receive a donation, it can go toward any number of things that help move forward our vision of Trails for Everyone, Forever: gear for trail crews, staffing for outdoor events, advocacy work to secure funding for trails and so, so much more. We checked in with WTA staffers to see what donations of different amounts help WTA accomplish. 

Photos by Zachary Toliver and WTA staff

A donation of $75 can help WTA purchase a shovel for trail maintenance!

WTA practically runs on shovels. We have hundreds scattered throughout the state, ready to perform necessary trail maintenance at any moment. When WTA invests in one shovel, it’s able to be used hundreds — if not thousands — of times over the years. Our need for new trail tools is constant: shovels break or get too old to be useful. When that happens, we depend on donor support to buy more shovels. The need for trail repairs never stops, so having the resources to maintain trails is essential.

A donation of $120 can help WTA acquire a pair of hiking boots for one of our gear libraries!

We have two gear libraries, one in Seattle and one in Puyallup. These gear libraries are available to people who have gone through our Outdoor Leadership Training program to outfit their community members for a hiking, camping, backpacking or snowshoeing outing. WTA provides all kinds of gear, from tents to rain jackets, but one of the most important pieces of gear we lend is hiking boots. WTA uses donations from our members to purchase boots for our libraries, helping folks get outside. 

A donation of $500 can help WTA support our map technology on wta.org and the Trailblazer app! 

Maps are an essential part of our website and app — every entry in our Hiking Guide has at least one. Our Hike Finder map helps hikers get a broad overview of trails all across the state. And our digital topographic maps help hikers plan their hikes and understand how different trails connect. Whether using a desktop computer or a mobile app, our map resources help hikers get the information they need to find the right hike for them.

Remember — donations of any amount add up to make programs possible! A gift of $5 can be bundled with other donations of similar amounts to make a big impact.

This work is only possible with the support of our members. Please consider becoming a WTA member to support projects like these and many more. Trails are so lucky to have you!