NAO is excited to spotlight nonprofit members, share their success stories and exciting news, and raise awareness of their cause and the impact these amazing nonprofits make in our communities.

Our spotlight this month is Sisters Trails Alliance (STA) in Sisters, Oregon. They have been members of NAO since 2019, and we were excited to learn more about STA from their Executive Director, Stephanie Presley.

Sisters Trails Alliance is a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to enhancing outdoor recreation and connecting communities through the stewardship of Sisters Country trails. STA believes that everyone—regardless of age, background, or ability level—should have access to our beautiful natural spaces. Their organization serves as a critical partner to the U.S. Forest Service, filling essential gaps to keep nearly 200 miles of trails safe and accessible for hikers, cyclists, equestrians, and nature lovers. Last year alone, an estimated 400,000 recreationists enjoyed Sisters area trails. Stephanie shared what she is most proud of and the many accomplishments in the last year for STA, saying, “we are incredibly proud of our growing 350+ member volunteer corps. Their passion is the ‘hometown magic’ that allows us to maintain a world-class trail system.”

Recent major accomplishments include:

  • The STAR Project: STA recently received Forest Service approval for the Sisters Trail Additions & Realignment (STAR) Project, the first major trail expansion in 15 years, which will add 17 miles of new trails and formalize 30 miles of existing routes.  Their collaborative partner team will be an Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Recreational Trails Program grant recipient to complete the STAR Project.
  • Sisters Schools Nature Trail: In partnership with the Sisters School District and Kiwanis Club, STA completed an accessible nature trail on school grounds to serve as a “living laboratory” for students.  Over 600 elementary and middle school students participated in the design and construction of the nature trail – encouraging stewardship of our local ecosystems in the next generation.
  • Accessibility Wins: STA has recently been awarded a Visit Central Oregon Future Fund grant and accepted into Travel Oregon’s Recreation Ready Program for their Accessible Trails Project – a new initiative to rate and expand our trail system for adaptive mountain biking and accessible adventure for people of all ages and abilities.

Looking ahead, as the trail system managed by STA continues to expand and attract more recreationists to Sisters Country, the organization says the need for ongoing maintenance and professional stewardship is growing as well. STA is currently seeking foundational partners for its Legacy Trails Campaign to help fund operations, trail materials, tools, and the transition toward a professional stewardship program. The organization is also encouraging community members to get involved as volunteers in roles such as trail adopters, hosts, crew leads, signage team members, communications support, and sawyers. In addition, STA is promoting responsible recreation practices, encouraging trail users to follow trail ethics that help protect fire-resilient ecosystems and wildlife habitats while fostering a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors.

Looking to get involved? Check out these events coming up!

  • Toast the Trails: Luckey’s Woodsman is hosting a $1 for trails for each beer purchased during Memorial Weekend to support our stewardship efforts.
  • Spring Supporters Drive: Our annual spring donation drive is currently underway to help fund the upcoming season’s projects.
  • Monthly News: Sign up for our newsletter for more information about upcoming trail parties and events.

We appreciate Stephanie for connecting with us and highlighting the amazing work Sisters Trails Alliance is doing in supporting Sisters County access to the great outdoors of Oregon. To learn more or to support their initiatives, please visit their website at https://sisterstrails.org/