ITA’s mission is “keeping Idaho’s hiking trails open for all”. We believe there is a trail for everyone, somewhere, be it deep in the Gospel Hump Wilderness or a mile outside of Sandpoint. I recently learned there is even an ADA-accessible wilderness trail outside Ketchum! I believe our work stewarding Idaho trails should be open TO all; one way we have focused on that goal is through creation of programs to reach out to groups who may find joy and value in working with others of similar background, age, or interest. When you join ITA as a member, your donation helps us to provide more volunteers with the opportunity to join our special programs.

ITA’s Women Only Projects

ITA hosted it’s first “women-only weekend” (WOW) project in 2018 and since then, we have expanded our WOW program to include multiple trips per year and longer, weeklong trips. We have women who’ve made friends or a connection with a certain trail and return to the same trip every summer, and we’ve welcomed new women every year. This year, ITA completed five WOW trips and volunteers logged over 1,000 hours working for Idaho trails!

Youth Trail Crew

This was ITA’s third season for our Youth Trail Crew program. Volunteers ages 14-18 came out for seven different projects and cleared 22 miles of trails! Seeing teens experience living and working together in a new, challenging environment, growing connections with each other and the land, has been beyond rewarding.

“It’s really given me unforgettable experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.” Daunika, ITA Youth Trail Crew Volunteer

Video premiere! Check out our new video about our Youth Trail Crew program.

Veteran’s Trail Program

Looking ahead to 2023, ITA is excited to partner with Mission 43 out of Boise on our first-ever Veteran’s weekend trail project. This has been a goal for several years, but one that was put on hold during the Covid pandemic. Now we are overjoyed to plan a first project we hope will blossom into a full program over time, emphasizing getting servicemen and women, both past and present, into Idaho’s incredible public lands to discover the rewards of trail stewardship and the shared experience a wild place offers; Idaho’s trails will benefit from the leadership, teamwork, and work ethic veterans bring. A true win-win. Thank you Mission 43!

We are passionate about our special programs and I hope you will join us in making these incredible opportunities available to even more volunteers. Please consider donating to our Annual Membership Drive, happening now through December 31. You can join ITA as a member for $25, $50, or $100 and your donation will help us make the outdoors accessible to more people. It takes us all to keep Idaho’s hiking trails open for all!

Melanie Vining
Executive Director