By Alex Day, Marketing & Communications Director
At Mount Rainier National Park, there are many trails — but we think some of the most important pathways are built by people who lead the way for others to follow.
Kevin Bacher is one of those people.
We recently featured Kevin on a special Virtual Field Trip, where he shared stories from his more than 30 years of public service, including 23 years leading Mount Rainier’s volunteer program. Now retired, Kevin is a true “Trailblazer” — someone whose work has shaped not just a program, but a culture of stewardship that continues to grow.
Watch Kevin’s Virtual Field Trip here.
When Kevin stepped into managing the volunteer program in 2002, it was just one part of his job — and a relatively small operation. Today, it is woven into nearly every aspect of Mount Rainier National Park.
In a typical year, around 2,000 volunteers support the park, contributing tens of thousands of hours across trails, visitor education, restoration, and research.
That transformation didn’t happen overnight. A pivotal moment came after the devastating 2006 flood, when roads, trails, and infrastructure were washed away. What followed was an outpouring of support, and a turning point for volunteerism in the park.
Volunteer hours doubled in a single year, and a new model of partnership, coordination, and community engagement took hold — one that continues to define the program today.
People would say, ‘This place means so much to me — how can I give back?’ And we found ways to make that possible.”
Kevin is quick to point out that volunteers don’t just help sustain the park — they expand what’s possible.
With support from Washington’s National Park Fund, volunteers are trained, equipped, and coordinated to make a meaningful difference — whether restoring trails, assisting visitors, or contributing to scientific research.
In a typical year, that impact adds up to:
“I consider the volunteer program one of the best investments you can make in the national parks,” Kevin shared.
Learn about the park’s volunteer program in our video.
Under Kevin’s leadership, the volunteer program has grown into a diverse network of opportunities that support both people and ecosystems.
Roadside assistance volunteers help keep visitors safe in unexpected situations. Meadow Rovers connect with nearly a quarter-million visitors each summer, sharing safety tips and protecting fragile alpine environments. Trail crews and revegetation teams bring together hundreds of volunteers on weekends to maintain beloved trails and restore meadows. Community science programs track butterflies, alpine mammals like Cascade red fox and pikas, and climate impacts — providing data that would otherwise be impossible to collect.
Each program reflects a simple truth: when people care deeply about a place, they show up for it.
Ask Kevin what matters most, and his answer is clear: “The parks are about the places, but just as much about the people.” Over the years, he has seen volunteers of all ages and backgrounds come together — some for a single day, others for decades.
A two-year-old helping plant native vegetation. An 88-year-old sharing her love of the mountain. Volunteers protecting endangered wildlife, mentoring youth, and building lifelong connections. These stories are the foundation of the program Kevin helped grow.
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Kevin also championed making volunteerism more accessible. From youth crews and affinity groups to opportunities for people of all abilities, the program reflects a belief that stewardship belongs to everyone.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re two years old or 88 years old… everyone can do something,” he explained. That inclusive approach has helped build not just a volunteer program, but a community.
As Kevin reflects on the years ahead for Mount Rainier’s volunteers, his hope is simple: that the program continues to evolve, adapt, and welcome new generations into stewardship.
He sees his role not as an endpoint, but as part of a much longer story: “We are simply carrying a torch that has been passed forward for generations.” And now, that torch is in all of our hands.
Kevin’s message to all of us is clear. Find the one thing that you can do and do it. Whether that’s volunteering, donating, advocating, or simply sharing your love for the parks, every action matters.
Because protecting these places isn’t just the work of park staff — it’s something we all take part in.
Washington’s National Park Fund is the official philanthropic partner of Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks. Through donor support, we fund critical park projects that protect wildlife, preserve ecosystems, and enhance visitor experiences. Your donations help ensure these iconic landscapes remain for generations to come.
🌟 Interested in volunteering at Mount Rainier National Park? Visit their website at https://www.nps.gov/mora/getinvolved/volunteer.htm.