In the wake of the 2020 Santiam Canyon Fires a coalition of residents, business owners, organizations, and outdoor enthusiasts are envisioning what outdoor recreation will look like in the coming decades. The Resilient Headwaters concept plan outlines the potential for 28 new outdoor recreation projects and 12 programs to maximize the many benefits of spending time outdoors. The plan focuses on four areas of benefit for local residents: Fire Recovery, Health & Connection, Economy, and Environmental Regeneration.

Resilient Headwaters is a community-led coalition in Oregon’s Santiam Canyon connecting people to nature, and to each other. We do this by rebuilding the parks and trails that were lost to devastating fires—as well as re-imagining new places for people to experience nature through outdoor recreation. It is designed to support the Canyon’s recovery, connect visitors to local businesses, make it easier for residents to get moving outdoors, and help regenerate the Canyon’s rich ecosystems.