ENTERPRISE — The Wallowa Mountains Hells Canyon Trails Association will have its annual meeting on Tuesday, March 5 at 7 p.m. at the Hearts for Health Building, 606 Medical Parkway in Enterprise.

Members of the volunteer nonprofit will talk about the work they did on trails in 2023, and discuss plans for 2024 projects and trainings.

People who can’t attend in person can participate online by emailing info@wmhcta.org. Everyone is welcome.

Since forming in February 2017, the association has spent more than 10,000 hours working on trails, covering almost 500 miles of trails and removing about 3,500 trees.

The organization coordinates its efforts with the Forest Service and with other volunteers, including the Blue Mountain Backcountry Horsemen.

The association is part of the Eagle Cap Partnership, a cooperative agreement among Eastern Oregon University, the Forest Service and Wallowa Resources. The parternship seeks to employ a “collective impact approach” to achieve broader and faster results in multiple land and water stewardship arenas, including trail maintenance and improvements.

As its name implies, the association focuses on the hundreds of miles of trails in the Wallowa Mountains and in Hells Canyon. Members have also expressed interest in expanding the scope to include the Elkhorns Mountains near Baker City and the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness.

Reductions in Forest Service recreation budgets over the past few decades has resulted in less frequent maintenance of trails, including the seasonal clearing of logs and other obstacles.

The Trails Association welcomes everyone, asking only for a $20 annual membership fee ($30 for families, $10 for students).

More information about the association, including photos from past trail maintenance projects, as well as a membership application form, is available at wmhcta.org.