Trail Mix, the Juneau-based nonprofit is an organization dedicated to stewarding local trails, by bringing together people and resources for trail improvements and activities.

With a dedicated team of 15-20 seasonal workers and 4 year-round employees, they collaborate closely with the Forest Service, City and Borough of Juneau, Alaska State Parks, and indigenous organizations to maintain and enhance Juneau’s extensive trail network.

“I think something people maybe don’t realize, is how many years, and hours that it takes to complete a small section of trail, and oftentimes, like some of the trails that we’re working on this summer, are projects that have been in the works, you know, for maybe three or four years.” Said Trail Mix’s executive director Meghan Tabacek “You kind of just have to play the timing right and wait for the perfect grant, or the perfect crew lead or the perfect conditions in order to actually make the trail work. So we always have a very, very long list of trails that we want to work on.”

The organization recently faced challenges with potential Forest Service funding cuts, which forced them to reduce their trail crews from four to three for the season. In response, they launched a successful community fundraiser, raising nearly $55,000.

“it was really, really cool to see the community come together and support.” Said Tabacek, “Since February, it’s really just been touch and go. We have been working to kind of, diversify our project streams, so like working more with the city, more with state parks, and just trying to make sure we have other work guaranteed outside of the Forest Service.”

As of right now Trail Mix’s agreements with the Forest Service still stand and they are able to continue work as normal, but Tabacek said with increasing levels of uncertainty, they just dont know if – or when the cap is going to stop on those projects.

Volunteers play a critical role in Trail Mix’s operations, with the organization currently tracking over 700 volunteer hours this summer.

“Volunteers are huge to trail mix. I mean, the heart of trail mix is volunteerism.” said Tabacek “Trail Mix was started in 1993 by a group of volunteers and in our first years, Trail Mix was actually all volunteer run.”

This community involvement is essential, as only 30-35 people are responsible for maintaining Juneau’s 250 trails. Volunteers help meet grant requirements, supplement staff efforts, and support additional organizational work not covered by standard agency agreements.

“A lot of what we do is build the trails, but, also a lot of what we do is work with people who build the trails. And I think that’s the cooler part about Trail Mix.” Said Tabacek.

Volunteer waivers are available on the Trail Mix website, as well as their schedule of upcoming events.