Actually ODOT will possibly put us on a brown sign, if we pay for it. The down side is the signs have to be removed during the off season and put back up during operating season at considerable SVRy expense. Plus there have to be several direction signs at intersections in Baker City, at SVRy expense. Those brown signs you see on the freeway, are not free.
We have volunteers coming from Medford, OR, a distance of ~400 miles. Also a husband and wife trek from Palmer Alaska frequently to volunteer at SVRy.
SVRR (Sumpter Valley Restoration, Inc.) was founded by locals, and is 37 years old. Most of the founders are gone now, or inactive. There are 5 nearby volunteers, if I have counted correctly. One is also an SVRR employee. The majority of volunteers come from Boise, ID, about two hours away.
dan