BAYSIDE, CA — Fifteen years ago, the vision of a continuous long-distance pathway through the wild grandeur of the Klamath Mountains lived largely in imagination. Fragmented routes, forgotten map lines, and a persistent hope for something greater marked the start of what has now become the Bigfoot Trail. Today, the Bigfoot Trail Alliance (BFTA) announces a pivotal transition—one that will deepen its impact, broaden its reach, and steward both landscape and people into a new chapter of connection and care.
Leadership Shifts that Signal Growth
Founder and longtime Board President Michael Kauffmann has stepped into the role of Executive Director. Under his guidance, the Alliance embarks on its next phase of maturity: from grassroots network into a staffed, strategically focused organization. Meanwhile, the BFTA Board welcomes Laura Chapman as the new Board President and Steve Salzman as Vice President, bringing renewed energy and a sharp vision for the future.
In a message to the community, Michael writes:
“What began as a trail-building movement has grown to include educational experiences, workforce-training pathways, and programs designed to support the next generation of caretakers across the Klamath Mountains. Young people deserve opportunities to learn, earn, and serve in the landscapes that define their home—and we are committed to building those bridges.”
What This Means for the Region
- Staffed capacity & sustained impact: A dedicated team expands BFTA’s ability to deliver programs in youth stewardship, trail building, and ecological education across the bioregion.
- Strategic growth: The newly released Strategic Plan Executive Summary lays out crisp priorities: expand opportunities for youth, deepen partnerships with Tribal and land-management agencies, strengthen our volunteer network, and build a funding model resilient enough to weather the shifting realities of public-land management.
- A widened mission: While trail construction remains central, the Alliance embraces a broader mandate — cultivating access, equity, and ecological resilience in the region. “Trails do not maintain themselves. Ecological resilience does not arise without investment.” Michael notes.
- Community-powered stewardship: The Alliance underscores that the responsibility for the mountains, the forests, and the trails belongs collectively to the people who walk them, care for them, and protect them.
The Trail Ahead
With this leadership evolution, the Bigfoot Trail Alliance positions itself to deepen its roots, strengthen its branches, and open new pathways—both literal and metaphorical. The Klamath Mountains’ wild places call, and the Alliance stands ready: rooted in place, energized by community, and committed to mulit-generational care.
For more details about the leadership change, strategic plan, or to learn how to get involved, visit bigfoottrail.org.
About BFTA
The Bigfoot Trail Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating, promoting, maintaining, and protecting the Bigfoot Trail, a long-distance route threading the Klamath Mountains of Northwest California. Through trail building, youth stewardship, community science, and partnerships with agencies, Tribes, and volunteers, BFTA fosters conservation, access, and ecological literacy across this exceptional bioregion.
Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 777, Bayside, CA 95524
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