Volunteer Sawyer Program · Central Oregon

Sunnyside Sawyers East of the Cascades

Volunteer sawyers clearing trails and campgrounds across Central Oregon's sunny high desert forests — one log at a time.

300+
Active Sawyers
10k
Miles Cleared
40+
Projects
9
Partners
Sunnyside
Sawyers
Est. 2025
🪓
Crosscut & ChainsawTrained to current standards
☀️
High Desert ForestEast of the Cascades
🏕️
Trails & CampgroundsClearance wherever it's needed
🌱
We Train All SawyersA, B & C certification levels
About Sunnyside Sawyers

Sunny side of the Cascades.

Sunnyside Sawyers is a volunteer sawyer organization rooted in the sun-drenched high desert forests east of the Cascades.

We train sawyers, coordinate with land managers, and clear the trails and campgrounds that make Central Oregon's backcountry accessible — from routine winter blowdown to hazard trees in high-use areas.

We work alongside trail organizations and agencies across the region to put the right people in the right places. Whether you've never touched a saw or you're a certified Level C veteran, Sunnyside Sawyers has a place for you.

Get Involved
🛡️
Safety First
Every sawyer trained to current crosscut and chainsaw standards.
🪵
Skill Development
Level A through C certification with mentorship at every stage.
🗺️
Real Projects
Meaningful work where volunteer sawyers are genuinely needed.
🤝
Open Community
Sawyers, land managers, and backcountry users all welcome.
Partner Orgs
COTA DTC CONC SWATS OET FCCW PCTA STA Dirty Freehub
Support Sunnyside Sawyers

Choose your level.

Your support keeps Sunnyside Sawyers training sawyers, coordinating projects, and clearing the trails you love.

🌱
Seedling
$25
per year
🪴
Sapling
$60
per year
🌳
Old Growth
$250
per year
Sawyer Certification

A, B & C Level Training.

Sunnyside Sawyers trains volunteer sawyers across three certification levels. No experience required to start — we'll take you from your first day with a saw all the way to advanced field work.

A
Entry Level
Level A

Foundational sawyer certification. Introduction to saw safety, basic techniques, and working as part of a trail crew. No prior experience required.

Saw SafetyBasic CutsCrew Work
B
Intermediate
Level B

Builds on Level A with more complex scenarios, hazard assessment, and increased independence in the field. For sawyers with field experience.

Hazard IDComplex CutsIndependence
C
Advanced
Level C

Advanced certification for experienced sawyers. Covers challenging terrain, crew leadership, and coordination with land management agencies.

Adv. FellingCrew LeadAgency Ops
Trail Projects

Where the work gets done.

Coordinating with land managers to put trained sawyers where they're needed most.

Recruiting
Level B+
Ochoco Blowdown Clearance
📍 Ochoco National Forest, OR

Heavy winter blowdown on the North Fork trail system. Targeting 18 miles of ponderosa corridor before summer season opens.

18
Miles
Apr
Start
In Progress
Level A+
Deschutes Rim Restoration
📍 Deschutes National Forest, OR

Multi-season restoration along the rim trail. Working with USFS to reopen fire-impacted sections to hiking and equestrian use.

34
Miles
Ongoing
Timeline
Planning
Level C
Blue Mountains Scout Survey
📍 Umatilla National Forest, OR/WA

Survey trip to document blowdown conditions and prioritize clearance ahead of a full summer deployment. Seeking experienced scouts.

60+
Miles Est.
May
Start