We all love the trail snacks, summit views, and brewery patios after a long hike, but the truth is none of it happens without the quiet work of people behind the scenes. The ones who fix bridges, clear brush, teach Leave No Trace, and protect the wild spaces we explore.
This summer, let’s be those people.
Here are 7 simple, meaningful ways to get involved in your local outdoor community. You don’t need to be an expert. You don’t need fancy gear. You just need to care.
1. Join a Trail Crew
Help build or maintain local hiking, biking, or running trails. You’ll sweat, get dirty, and leave with a serious sense of accomplishment.
🔧 Start here: American Hiking Society or Volunteer.gov
2. Volunteer with a Conservation Group
Plant native trees, pull invasive weeds, or restore riparian areas. Small acts that have a big impact.
🌱 Search “[Your City] Conservation Trust” or “Watershed Council” to find local orgs.
3. Show Up for a Clean-Up
Join a group that removes trash from rivers, trails, beaches, or parks. It’s a few hours of your time for a cleaner, safer space.
🗑️ Check out: Sierra Club, Surfrider Foundation, or your town’s parks department.
4. Support Local Recycling & Upcycling Efforts
Reduce waste by volunteering with textile recycling groups, gear swaps, or sustainability workshops.
♻️ Try your local library, zero-waste collectives, or community centers.
5. Become a Citizen Scientist
Use your time outside to contribute to real research, from bird counts to wildflower tracking.
🔍 Start with: iNaturalist, eBird, or Nature’s Notebook
6. Lead or Join an Outdoor Club
Outdoor groups need people who show up and help others feel welcome. Start a hiking group, host a gear night, or just invite a new friend.
👋 Tip: Check out local groups on Facebook or Meetup.com.
7. Uplift Indigenous Land Stewards
Many Indigenous-led groups are doing important work restoring lands, preserving culture, and protecting access to ancestral territories. Donate, volunteer, or spread the word.
🌍 Look into: Native Land Conservancy, Indigenous Environmental Network, or tribal conservation programs in your area.
Wrap It Up:
You don’t have to hike the CDT to make a difference. Every trail fixed, every piece of trash picked up, every tree planted adds up.
At SkyGOAT, we believe the mountain lifestyle is about more than where you go, it’s about how you show up for the places and people around you.
Let’s give back to the wild, together.