09/02/2026
The Bigfoot Trail Alliance has announced the Klamath Mountains Workforce Training Network (KMWTN), a new place-based initiative designed to connect young people with conservation careers while strengthening stewardship of the Klamath Mountains and ancestral landscapes. Developed in partnership with nonprofit, Tribal, and educational organizations, the program provides youth ages 15–24 from Humboldt, Siskiyou, and Trinity Counties with paid mentorship, hands-on field experience, technical training, and professional certifications.
Supported by the Klamath River Fund at the Humboldt Area Foundation and the Wild Rivers Community Foundation, the KMWTN focuses on creating meaningful opportunities for rural and Indigenous youth in communities where career opportunities can be limited, but the need for ecological restoration and land stewardship is significant. Participants in the 2026–2027 cohort will take part in three immersive learning experiences covering salmonid monitoring and watershed restoration, GIS or Wilderness First Aid certification, and ecological fieldwork and outdoor leadership.
The program provides transportation, equipment, meals, and stipends to ensure participants can fully participate without financial barriers. No previous experience is required, and Tribal youth who commit to all three workshops will receive priority access. Training will be led by experienced professionals from Bigfoot Trail Alliance, Ascend Wilderness Experience, Salmon River Restoration Council, Scott River Watershed Council, The Watershed Research and Training Center, Trinity Together, and the Trinity County Resource Conservation District.
The KMWTN represents more than workforce development; it is an investment in young people, healthy ecosystems, cultural connection, and the long-term resilience of communities throughout the Klamath Mountains. Applications for the competitive 2026–2027 cohort must be received by September 25, 2026.
Learn more and apply at bigfoottrail.org/youth-stewardship/workforce-training/ or contact Mike Splain at [email protected] or 831-359-2489.
