Alex Newsom

SBFC Wilderness & Trails Intern

Red River Three Forks - Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

July 15-22, 2026

Salamander Volunteer Project

Spending a week in the backcountry maintaining trails is always an educational and eye-opening experience, whether it is someone’s first time or their fiftieth. Mix in a team of volunteers who have created their own club through which they have been performing unpaid trail work year-round, rain or shine, plus their own professional, personal, and vocational experiences, and you are in for a rich variety of shared knowledge and passion. This group of individuals from Oregon call themselves the ‘Salamanders’ and make a point to travel to different areas every year to engage in multiple days of trail work on top of their more local schedule. Some of the Salamanders, along with Jo - a first time trail work volunteer - were willing to pose for portraits and share quotes on how they started trail work, what they love about it, and why they keep doing it.

Beth

“When my husband and I retired, we sat down and decided our lives needed 5 things. 1. Be active. 2. Be social. 3. Be creative. 4. Be useful. 5. Try something completely new. And trail work pretty much ticks all the boxes.”

Kim

“I found my tribe in trailwork… [Beth] reeled me in. She knew I did fire and asked me to join…and I stewed about it for a bit and thought, maybe I’d find my people. And I do it because I connect with the people.”

Ben

“I came for the problem-solving, and I stayed for the cookies. I keep coming back for the satisfaction of working together and seeing the results of our work immediately.”

Jennie

“I’ve always liked hiking and being outdoors, ever since I was little. I love hiking, backpacking, and appreciate trails. When I retired, I wanted to give back to make it possible for everyone else and myself to keep doing these things. And the group of people you work with is just great.”

Randy

“A clear trail is a happy trail. This is like wilderness crosscutting crossfit. [Why I do it?] The trail is better when we leave than when we arrive and [I get] exercise.”

Jo

“I had no idea what to expect - maybe an educational backpacking trip. I was astounded by the selflessness and sense of camaraderie of everyone here.”

Bob

“[Trail work is] one of the best things that’s happened to me. I’m really glad Beth approached me and I did it. It’s the friendships, the fun, and the satisfaction of doing.”

All pictures presented here were taken by Alex Newsom (@alexinunderland) and located in the Gospel Hump Wilderness of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.

Alex Newsom

Bellingham, WA

BS: Earth & Enviro Studies; MS: Geology

Originally from Florida, Alex has lived in five states and three countries, learning what they can about the ecosystems, geologic formations, and cultures of each area. Alex has participated in a variety of volunteer work, including trail maintenance and habitat restoration in Washington and Nevada. After an enlightening season working as a Wilderness Steward Intern with the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation and U.S. Forest Service in 2025, Alex is determined to continue enhancing their trail skills and working in public lands. Alongside hiking, Alex enjoys trail running, nature photography, reading, and playing guitar.