Groundwork - Trailkeepers of Oregon
The Story
Trailkeepers of Oregon (TKO) is powered by its people. From seasoned crew leaders to first-time volunteers, the organization has built a culture rooted in education, inclusion, and care—for the trails, and for each other.
As their programs expanded, TKO needed more than just event recaps. They needed a way to reflect the strength of their community, the value of their work, and the growth they nurture in their volunteers.
Together, we created content that told those stories—capturing not just what happened, but why it matters.
Project Overview
Project Type: Narrative content, volunteer storytelling, event coverage, communications support
Client: Trailkeepers of Oregon (TKO)
Location: Oregon
Roles: Photographer, writer, event support, visual storyteller
My Role
I interviewed volunteers like Chuck Lewis as he advanced to assistant crew leader, created visuals and announcements for TKO’s Pub Talk series and Leadership Summit, and attended events to document the real-time work and community present in each space.
I also designed event graphics and supported social media storytelling—ensuring that each effort was not just promoted, but preserved in a way that aligned with TKO’s mission and values.
At the end of the year, I contributed to a team-led fundraising campaign that raised $120,000 in just four weeks. I wrote and published weekly newsletters and social content to keep the effort visible, grounded, and motivating for both supporters and internal staff.
Why It Matters
Volunteer-based organizations thrive on connection and visibility. By helping TKO show their work clearly and meaningfully—from individual volunteer journeys to collaborative gatherings and fundraising appeals—we strengthened their relationships with partners, volunteers, and donors alike.
This was storytelling in service of culture-building and sustainability—offering a record of what’s been done, and a reason to keep showing up.
