Mount Rainier reflects in Aurora Lake, along the Wonderland Trail/NPS

A $2 million gift from philanthropists Mike and Sue Raney will serve the dual purpose of restoring two iconic backpacking trails in Washington state while creating jobs and training for youths and recent veterans.

The Wonderland Trail in Mount Rainier National Park and the Enchanted Valley Trail in Olympic National Park will benefit over a 10-year period from the establishment of a Wonderland Trail Conservation Corps and an Olympic Conservation Corps under the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps. The program is a national effort to put thousands of youth and recent veterans to work protecting, restoring, and enhancing the country’s cultural and natural resources.

“We’ve traveled the world, but you have to anchor your soul somewhere. For us, that place will always be the Pacific Northwest,” the Raneys said in a release announcing the donation. “Both Mount Rainier and Olympic national parks are close to our hearts. In targeting our gift, we wanted to help bring diverse youth into the parks, not only to improve trails, but to ignite a shared passion for the national parks, America’s best idea.”

An additional $1 million from the REI Foundation will go toward the projects in Washington as well as 17 other parks across the country. Both donations are part of the National Park Foundation’s $350 million Centennial Campaign for America’s National Parks. To date, the foundation has raised more than $225 million toward this goal.

“The Wonderland and Enchanted Valley trails are two of the most inspiring, iconic outdoor places in the Pacific Northwest. They have helped thousands – maybe millions – of people create cherished memories. They need the community’s support to stay healthy and accessible for generations to come,” said Marc Berejka, president of the REI Foundation. “The REI Foundation is happy to support these young people and the work they’re doing. They’re having a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to steward these places that the community loves. We can’t wait to see the transformations that take place – both on the trails and within the young people involved.”

The 93-mile Wonderland Trail, which circles Mount Rainier, has exploded in popularity in recent years. It is a strenuous hike with lots of elevation gain and loss, through lowland forests and valleys and into high alpine and sub-alpine areas.

“We are extremely excited to launch the Wonderland Trail Conservation Corps at Mount Rainier, and grateful to philanthropists Mike and Sue Raney, the REI Foundation, and the National Park Foundation for the generous gifts that have made this possible,” Mount Rainier National Park Superintendent Randy King said. “Engaging diverse youth in the care and restoration of this magnificent trail will teach work skills, create new park stewards, benefit the tens of thousands of hikers who enjoy the trail each year, and serve to highlight the great good that can be achieved for our national parks and public lands through philanthropy.”

The Enchanted Valley Trail follows the East Fork of the Quinault River for 13 miles through old-growth rainforest, culminating in a meadow surrounded by mountains and featuring a historic chalet.

“The support of private citizens and philanthropists is vital to fulfilling the NPS mission of protecting park resources and serving park visitors,” said Olympic National Park Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum. “The generosity and foresight of the Raney family, the REI Foundation and the National Park Foundation will benefit Olympic’s visitors, resources and staff for many years to come.”

As part of its Congressional charter, the National Park Foundation works with the National Park Service to identify priority projects in need of support across the National Park System. In this capacity, the foundation is seeking to raise $350 million for programs and projects designed to protect America’s special places, connect people from all backgrounds to parks, and inspire future generations of national park stewardship.

“From taking a long hike with friends, to walking in the footsteps of our ancestors, to experiencing first-ever glimpses of vast landscapes and rarely seen wildlife, trails can be life-changing memory makers that inspire a lifetime of devotion to our national parks,” said Will Shafroth, president of the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks. “Thanks to the generosity of Mike and Sue Raney and the REI Foundation, youth are gaining experience in hands-on stewardship, putting sweat equity into our amazing national park trails so that millions of park enthusiasts can create their own unique, cherished moments and fall in love with these places.”