Fostering Collaboration Across Northwest California
Eureka, CA
The Bigfoot Trail Alliance successfully hosted the 2025 Wilderness and Primitive Trails Summit at the Eureka Women’s Club on January 9, 2025. This landmark event brought together trail organizations, conservation partners, and forest service representatives to discuss the future of trail work and collaboration on wilderness and primitive trails across northwest California’s national forests. This was the second year in a row such an event has been hosted.
The summit focused on uniting regional partners to address trail projects and funding opportunities on the Klamath, Six Rivers, Mendocino, and Shasta-Trinity National Forests. Participating organizations included the Pacific Crest Trail Association, Ascend Wilderness Experience, Del Norte Trails Alliance, Siskiyou Mountain Club, California Conservation Corps, and Backcountry Horsemen of California, along with representatives from four national forests.
Michael Kauffmann, Board President of the Bigfoot Trail Alliance, set the tone for the summit during his welcoming remarks:
Trails are the lifelines that connect us to the wild landscapes of northwest California. By strengthening our partnerships and sharing resources, we can ensure these paths remain open and thriving for future generations.
The agenda included updates from forest representatives and partners on 2025 trail projects, a collaborative mapping presentation, and breakouts for in-depth discussions. Participants worked collectively to develop actionable strategies for strengthening regional partnerships and aligning future efforts.
The summit underscored the shared commitment to preserving and enhancing access to the breathtaking wilderness of northwest California. Together, these partnerships demonstrated their dedication to building a vibrant community around trails, fostering both environmental stewardship and recreational opportunities.
For more information or to attend next year’s event, please contact the Bigfoot Trail Alliance at bfta@bigfoottrail.org.
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