Resilient Headwaters is an intentional, strategic pathway to manage the increase in popularity of outdoor recreation, and leverage it to bolster the Santiam Canyon community’s future.

In September of 2020 several large fires ravaged multiple Oregon communities in the Santiam Canyon, burning almost 1 million acres and 2,600 homes and businesses. Even prior to these fires, the Santiam Canyon communities were already seeking to diversify their economies in the outdoor recreation sector. While restoring basic utilities and rebuilding homes is the top priority, we believe there is boundless untapped potential to develop active recreation in wild places, and in turn, uplift these communities and improve quality of life for canyon residents. Learn more here.

In September 2020 four large wildfires ravaged multiple Oregon communities in the Central Cascades, eventually burning 710,000 acres and destroying over 2,600 homes and businesses.

• Nearly 4 million Oregonians hike, bike, and/or run on trails. That’s almost all of us.
• At least seven different transportation and recreation plans in the region support the development and construction of an expanded trail network.
• The region’s current trail network is not meeting the demands of its users, but over 250 miles of abandoned trails could be strategically rebuilt to provide a better recreation experience.

• Outdoor Recreation has grown to a $16.4 billion industry in Oregon.
• In Linn & Marion counties, Outdoor Recreation supports 4,700 jobs.
• 2.2 million vehicles drive through the canyon every year. 15% of Oregonians cycle offroad. If just 15% of those traveling families stopped and spent $50 on dinner, the canyon would see an extra $16.5M.

The Santiam Canyon has the key elements to support recreation development:

• Proximity to population centers
• Natural splendor and vast tracts of public lands
• Community leaders eager to grow the recreation economy