Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship (SCMTS) has operated in the area since 1997, and their work as a nonprofit trails organization has opened up some of Santa Cruz’s most popular trails to the public.
Because of their work, Wilder Ranch Trails reaches up to Empire Grade, there’s an iconic Flow Trail in the depths of Soquel Demonstration State Forest, and there are nine miles of pristine new trail up at Cotoni-Coast Dairies, the new National Monument that just opened up near Davenport.
Santa Cruz would simply not have the same renowned trails without SCMTS. The trail stewardship provides essential support to local agencies like the City of Santa Cruz, California State Parks, and the Bureau of Land Management so that trails not only stay in good shape, but also meet the needs of our diverse community.
SCMTS has exciting projects on the horizon that will better support our natural landscapes and expand outdoor access for hikers, cyclists, and equestrians. But they need your help to bring them to life.
If any of the below projects are of interest to you, please consider making a donation to support trail stewardship this holiday season. Your gift is tax-deductible and will be matched on the spot thanks to generous donors.
Cotoni-Coast Dairies Trail Work
SCMTS designed, funded, and built the nine miles of brand-new trail that opened this past August at Cotoni-Coast Dairies. It took a massive effort from their community to bring these trails to life, and now the trail stewardship is focused on maintenance and upkeep throughout the network.
Community members have found new connections to nature, adventures, and landscapes to admire at Cotoni-Coast Dairies. Together we’ve created a legacy that will continue on for generations to come.
This work was only possible thanks to our generous community of donors. And with maintenance of these trails up on deck in 2026, we’ve got more work to get done.
Felton Pump Track Construction
The Felton Pump Track will be a fantastic family resource for the San Lorenzo Valley community. With a kid-friendly series of jumps, berms, and rollers, visitors of all ages will have some fun and build bike skills with confidence.
SCMTS is less than $100,000 away from the fundraising goal for the Felton Pump Track and hopes to get digging next year. Donations to their end-of-year campaign help secure a 2026 opening for this new community resource.
Hundreds of Annual Community Events
Donate today to support stewardship events!
SCMTS has hosted over 130 community events so far this year, across nearly every open space in Santa Cruz. These volunteer events are only possible because of donations SCMTS receives at the end of the year.
The organization’s 1,000+ annual volunteers provide essential support, and over $230,000 in value to local trails (according to the federal volunteer rate). The new trails at Cotoni-Coast Dairies could not have opened without their help. Volunteer events are also enormously fun; the organization’s National Trails Day after-party has become a community favorite!
Donations allow SCMTS to buy the gloves, tools, and equipment (and post-dig snacks) needed to fund volunteer trail work events.
Trail Improvements at Wilder Ranch State Park
Help SCMTS repair these trails.
SCMTS is working in partnership with California State Parks to plan out trail realignments and improvements along three major trails in Wilder Ranch State Park.
Our work will realign portions of the three above trails in Wilder Ranch which have serious erosion, rutting or other wet season issues. We’ll improve drainage and harden sections that will remain, put in 6 new full span bridges to disconnect the trails from the stream system, and replace the old “wash away” bridges on these trails so they are more sustainable, easier to maintain, safer, and more fun for park visitors.
If you’ve enjoyed trails this year, consider jumping in on SCMTS’ end-of-year campaign and supporting their work with a tax-deductible donation. All gifts are MATCHED through the end of the year; there’s never been a better time to make a positive impact on our trails.
