Bayside, CA – In the wake of historic dam removals and amid the profound healing of the newly free-flowing Klamath River, a new force for restoration and resilience is emerging.
The Bigfoot Trail Alliance, in collaboration with regional nonprofits, educational partners, and local Tribes, proudly announces the launch of the Klamath Mountains Workforce Training Network (KMWTN). This place-based initiative will equip young people with tools, mentorship, and technical skills to care for their ancestral landscapes and chart meaningful career paths in conservation and ecological restoration.
With financial support from the Klamath River Fund: Community Impact Grant 2025 of the Humboldt Area Foundation and WIld Rivers Community Foundation, the KMWTN will serve underrepresented youth (ages 15–24) across Humboldt, Siskiyou, and Trinity Counties, where opportunity is often scarce but ecological need is profound. Participants from rural and Indigenous backgrounds will engage in immersive field workshops and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technical training highlighting ecosystem restoration and outdoor leadership.
“In the Klamath Mountains, fire-scoured canyons and ancient conifers tell stories of deep time and resilience,” said Mike Splain, Development Director at Bigfoot Trail Alliance. “The KMWTN seeks to add a new chapter—one written by young people who stay, learn, and lead.”
In its inaugural year, the KMWTN will guide up to 50 youth through four transformational learning experiences:
- Summer 2025: GIS and cartography training at a Tribal Youth Forestry Camp in Orleans and Happy Camp
- Fall 2025: “Beavers and Trails” restoration workshop in Scott Valley
- Winter 2026: Online GIS certification with bioregion-specific applications
- Spring 2026: “Weeds and Plants” immersion in the Salmon River canyon focused on invasive species eradication and native plant restoration
To ensure equitable access, participants will receive a daily work and travel stipend, with computers and tablets provided for digital skills training.
These sessions will be led by seasoned professionals from partner organizations such as the Scott River Watershed Council, Salmon River Restoration Council, Ascend Wilderness Experience, The Watershed Research and Training Center, Trinity Together, Trinity County Resource Conservation District, and others. Tribal youth will receive priority access, and all participants will be equipped with the tools and guidance to thrive.
“Professional training in conservation not only equips youth with lifelong skills—it also connects them to the land in a way that inspires stewardship and pride,” said Charnna Gilmore, Executive Director of the Scott River Watershed Council. “This kind of investment in young people transforms lives and landscapes.”
The ultimate goal: to create a regenerative cycle in which today’s students become tomorrow’s mentors, scientists, and stewards of the land.
This collaborative effort is more than workforce development—it is a movement for cultural revitalization, ecological repair, and community resilience, rooted in one of the most biodiverse and storied landscapes in North America.
Interested in Joining?
We’d love to hear from you!
Whether you are a student, teacher, parent, or mentor, you can stay connected:
Submit your interest here → We will email you when the application goes live.
💬 Questions?
Contact us:
📧 mike@bigfoottrail.org
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