Evergreen Volunteer Program Manager, Brandon Lester celebrates their hard work, “A huge shoutout to everyone who has volunteered with Evergreen over the past year, whether it was the first time or thousandth time. Evergreen would not exist without you!” Every single one of our volunteers makes Washington state an amazing mountain bike community to be a part of.

Take a look at what Evergreen volunteers have accomplished this year:

• 20,574 volunteer hours of trail work.
• 300+ days of trail work, with multiple events across the state at any given time!
• 200 + miles of trail maintained.
• 4000 volunteers who gave sweat, blood, energy and time to our trails.

There are so many of you to thank, but a few who stand out for their exceptional efforts and generosity of time. The following volunteers have been selected as a Volunteer of the Year by Evergreen’s chapter and statewide boards, staff, and other volunteers. Each of these folks will receive a patch of honor to wear on their packs as well as a Rogue Hoe to keep up the great work! If you see it, be sure to say hello and thanks! Other volunteers who were nominated this year will receive an Evergreen shirt and a hand saw!  

We’re proud to introduce you to Evergreen’s 2023 Volunteers of the Year and Nominees!

Cascades to Sound: Peter Sherrill

Testimonial: What makes this person a rock star volunteer?

-”Do I really need to tell anyone what Peter does for this Org?  I don't think so.  This weekend he will pass the baton to a new state board President after his two year stint at the helm of this org.  I'm my time at EMBA (roughly 6 years) he's been involved in almost everything I can remember.  So many events, trail flagging, Tokul managing (that, in itself, should be grounds for being recognized for this), driving around getting tools to volunteers, meeting with new members, bike shop owners, visiting with riders, getting an ambassador program started and off the ground multiple times, making signs, creating shuttle events that everyone loves, encouraging the many volunteers that have stepped up to participate in the local boards, sharing his knowledge of the various riding areas, showing anyone who's willing to join in how to do all the things, who to ask questions of, where to look for help, etc.  Peter has been a super volunteer for this state since back when Tiger just had a couple trails.  I found out a while back that he's not been recognized as a volunteer of the year.  The time is now.  This year.  There are many volunteers who work hard for the org and they've all been recognized in the last few years.  It's Peter's turn.  He should be Volunteer of the Decade.” 

“Peter's a wonderful, strong, focused, knowledgeable advocate of all things mountain biking.  His drive, passion, energy and efforts are unparalleled.  He inspires so many and is there to lend hand, give advice, be a mentor, lend tools, etc.  He should be honored and appreciated for his long time efforts to ensure mountain biking access is there for all to enjoy for a long, long time.”

“Hands down, the effort of Peter is absolultely remarkable.   For years I thought he was a paid employee!  Little did I know he did it ALL for the love of our community and our beloved Mountain Biking!” 

Favorite anecdote or story/fun fact about this volunteer?

Peter is known by many of us as "The Sheriff!"

Nominee: Jessica McMillan

Testimonial: What makes this person a rock star volunteer?

“Jessica has given so much time and energy to Evergreen!! She stepped up in a huge way this year with education, taking a leadership role by assisting with instructor trainings, mentoring new instructors, and leading many classes. On top of that, she led many rides with crank sisters, showed up over and over again to dig days, and even exemplified the community spirit in online conversations, encouraging others and answering questions.”

Central: Klara Berschauer & Hudson Berschauer

Testimonial: What makes this person a rock star volunteer?

Klara: “Klara is a phenomenal rider for her age, and loves to share her knowledge and help other young riders. She not only put in 5 full weeks as a mentor for Dirt Camps at Squilchuck, she also picked up tools and helped out on the trails after she was done helping with instruction along with her little brother Hudson and David Dunnell (Their Neighbor/Friend of Family).”

Hudson: “Hudson may be young, but he puts his heart into helping out! He worked with David Dunnell throughout the summer while his Big Sister Klara was a mentor for the dirt camps at Squilchuck.”

“Hudson put in 109 volunteer hours, and as a pre-teen, deserves the recognition for his hard work and achievements throughout the summer.”

Favorite anecdote or story/fun fact about this volunteer?

Klara: “Several years ago when I had Klara as a student, I was leading the ride, and she was directly behind me telling a story. I was just pacing based on her telling the story. When I eventually turned around to look back, the other students were trying to catch up and had to stop to catch their breath and Klara not even breaking a sweat.” 

“I later learned that her family are avid outdoorspeople and spend every day doing at least one thing in the outdoors (hiking, riding, running, etc).”

“Big sister of Hudson Berschauer”

Hudson: “I had Hudson 3 years ago in a dirt camp as a student, and he was excited about every thing there was to teach about riding, stewardship, and volunteerism. “

“Little Brother of Klara Berschauer”

Nominee: Harlan Hoper

Testimonial: What makes this person a rock star volunteer?

“Harlan donates well over 100 hours a year for the last 8 years for trail maintenance and new trail construction. He always makes time to head out and cut a tree out of a trail, clear drainage or brush out overgrown areas, especially if there in a hazardous area where sightlines are key. He worked this summer as well with Eagle Scouts to build, transport to the site and install two picnic tables on the Rosy Boa Trail in Leavenworth! These are Forest Service spec and should last for decades to come.”

Favorite anecdote or story/fun fact about this volunteer?

“When we first working together rebuilding the Freund downhill trail after it was logged and turned back into a 20' wide dirt road with a step pitch. Harlan showed up daily to volunteer to rake out the insloping berms and raised wall rides we built down most of the 4 miles road back to trail conversion. He commented daily that he didn't like "berms or wall rides" and preferred the old trail before they turned it into a road! He still showed up 30+ hours a week to help finish the trail. On week 6 or 7, he finally said he was starting to learn how to ride "Those Things" and "they may be alright"! He hand raked, brushed and fixed drainage on every one of those this summer, one berm at a time!”

“His mountain bike is 12 years old and he likes it that way!”

Cowlitz Naches: Chris O’Brine

Testimonial: What makes this person a rock star volunteer?

“Whether it's leading work parties, planning events or helping with advocacy, Chris is self-motivated and always willing to help. His straightforward and levelheaded approach to things makes him easy to work with.”

Favorite anecdote or story/fun fact about this volunteer?

“Chris is an Army veteran of 10 years. He began riding in 2019 and can be found at CDC races, traveling around, and riding new places across the state throughout the year.”

East: Cory Williams

Testimonial: What makes this person a rock star volunteer?

“Cory is always willing to do whatever he can to support the chapter with a smile on his face.  He is a mini excavator operator extraordinaire and know his way around a weed whacker and chainsaw.  He is always first to volunteer when something needs to be done.”

Favorite anecdote or story/fun fact about this volunteer?

“Cory is not only a dirt artist, but he is also our very own DJ for all of our events.  Huge props to the one and only Bearded Ginger”

“In his spare time Cory does some amazing leather work”

Kittitas: Brian Crowley

Testimonial: What makes this person a rock star volunteer?

“Brian is an longtime Evergreen volunteer with a history of involvement at multiple levels. Brian has served as an Evergreen Board member and has contributed to trail building on multiple trail systems. He was a driving force in creating the Paradise Valley trails in his former back yard. Now he has moved to Kittitas County and is continuing to work in his new back yard. He is a current Kittitas Chapter Council member and has worked at all levels to help bring new trails to the Teanaway Community Forest, including serving on the Teanaway Community Forest Advisory Committee and Trails Committee, fundraising, trail work, and leading trail work parties. Brian is a rock star volunteer and we are lucky to have him as a part of our team”

Favorite anecdote or story/fun fact about this volunteer?

“Brian is an accomplished programmer and manager, including CEO.”

Methow: Carolyn Marquardt

Testimonial: What makes this person a rock star volunteer?

“Carolyn, from the very start of her time on the Methow Council, has been generous, self motivated, a good listener, flexible and a team player. It's rare that one person brings all these qualities and jumps right in to help. It doesn't matter what the task is, Carolyn is almost always the first to offer to get it done and quickly.”

Southwest: Tyler Kruskamp

Testimonial: What makes this person a rock star volunteer?

“Tyler Kruskamp, Trail Boss, Tyler is the Trail Boss for Evergreen Southwest and he has been in charge of some of our biggest and most important maintenance and upgrade projects over the last few seasons. He was integral in the rebuild of Murphy’s Grade, and is constantly, tirelessly on the lookout for maintenance projects that keep our trail system in ship shape. More than anyone else in the club, Tyler has stepped up with plans that put shovels in the dirt to make ideas become reality. There isn't a trail in the system that he hasn't left his mark on and we are forever in his debt for the work he's put forth. If you've ridden in the Yacolt burn, your tires have touched Tyler's work.”

West Sound: Isaac Gautschi

Isaac Gautschi

Testimonial: What makes this person a rock star volunteer?

“Isaac has been such a huge part in helping us revamp our social media, newletters and website for West Sound. He’s provided endless content to help us be seen and get us on the map. His volunteered hours with trail building and input on the ride park has been much appreciated.”

Favorite anecdote or story/fun fact about this volunteer?

“Watching Isaac nail the backflip on Maverick for the first time.”

“Isaac is just crazy in the chillest form possible.”

Multi Chapter Volunteer of the Year: Emily Wise

Testimonial: What makes this person a rock star volunteer?

This year Emily was Nominated for both Cascades to Sound and the West Sound Chapter!

“She’s the first to lend a hand. First to show up. Last to leave. Always in a great mood! She’s worked on just about every trail at port gamble and is now assisting me at Raging River. The amount of hours she donates to Evergreen is endless”

Favorite anecdote or story/fun fact about this volunteer?

“A bag of Haribo will win her over”