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June 2024
"Summer is almost here, and it promises to be rich with outdoor adventure. Sign-up for our classic Allegheny National Forest Hiking Weekend or enlist in a rewarding Trail Care experience - for a few hours or a few days. The choices are oh so cool . . . despite the inevitable heat. Thanks for reading!"
- Brook Lenker, KTA Executive Director
President's Trailhead
"It's not too soon to start thinking about nominating members and clubs for our various service awards. These include Certificates of Achievement, Volunteer of the Year, Club of the Year, and the Citation Award for lifetime achievement. They will be presented at our fall KTA Annual Meeting. Please see our website for a listing and description of these awards. The Awards Committee will be seeking nominations for these awards later this summer. Start considering members and clubs to nominate for these awards."
The Keystone Trails Association marked National Trails Day with remarkable solidarity and collaboration in the Michaux State Forest. On Saturday, June 1st, the association organized "Trail Love," an event that brought together more than 50 enthusiastic volunteers.
Volunteers worked on four trail systems and various projects, including new trail construction, stair building, trimming, campsite restoration, sign installation, water drainage structures, and more.
“What a way to honor National Trails Day,” said Brook Lenker, Executive Director of Keystone Trails Association. “The efforts of volunteers and collaboration with DCNR and local organizations truly benefited the area trails and demonstrated what can be accomplished when we all work together.”
KTA's Trail Love partnerships encompassed a robust network of organizations, including South Mountain Partnership, Friends of Michaux, Friends of Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Friends of Kings Gap, Central Pennsylvania Conservancy, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Bureau of Forestry & Bureau of State Parks, and the Appalachian Trail Museum.
A South Mountain Partnership Mini-Grant was awarded to the Keystone Trails Association for the planning and development of the Trail Love event.
New Weekday Trail Care Opportunities
Keystone Trails Association is again partnering with the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy to host Trail Care days throughout the summer.
You're invited to join us at LeTort Spring Garden Preserve near Carlisle from June to August. These events suit individuals of all experience levels, whether you're new to trail maintenance or a seasoned veteran. Activities will include maintaining existing trails and constructing two new accessible trails. Tasks may involve using loppers, pruners, and handsaws to trim vegetation and rake, dig, and grade new trail paths.
Dates to join KTA at LeTort Spring Garden Preserve: Tuesday, June 18th, 9:00am Tuesday, July 23rd, 9:00am (women-only workday with Women Who Explore) Tuesday, August 20th, 9:00am
A lot of transformation has occurred at KTA over the past 16 months - new staff, new programs, changes to the website, a larger social media presence, multiple webinars and workshops, and so much more. We would love your feedback about how we’re doing. Please take our short survey by June 12th! Thanks for your help!
Pennsylvania House Bill 2106 was voted 13-11 out of the PA Game and Fisheries Committee and is headed to the House Floor. What does this mean? HB 2106 passes repels provisions related to hunting on Sunday and would allow the PA Game Commission to determine the Sunday hunting schedule.
"In July of 2022, I began an end-to-end hike of the Long Trail in Vermont to celebrate my recent retirement and honor a family legacy. In 1937, my father hiked the Long Trail to celebrate his high school graduation. Armed with his 1937 trail journal, I planned to retrace his steps and compare our journeys. After covering the first 100 miles, my plan was interrupted when I was struck by a car at a dangerous road crossing.
The KTA Challenge became a launching pad for a return to the LT. I was ready to try again before the daylight hours got shorter in the Fall. Two weeks after the KTA Challenge, I returned to the Long Trail with a better sense of balance and renewed confidence. I just “knew” I would persevere after toughing it out on the KTA. I stood on the Quebec border at Journey’s End a week later, finally completing the Long Trail."
The KTA Grants-to-Clubs program offers funding to KTA member organizations for projects beneficial to trails, the vitality of their organization, and the practice of hiking. We are pleased to fund the BATONA Hiking Club and the Standing Stone Trail Club! Stay tuned for more project updates!
The BATONA Hiking Club maintains 8.6 miles of the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania between Wind Gap, PA, and Fox Gap, PA. The invasive non-native shrub Japanese Barberry has become established in these areas. KTA's mini-grant will help fund a significant reduction of Japanese Barberry along the Appalachian Trail corridor, side trail, and boundary.
The Standing Sone Trail Club is based out of Huntingdon, PA. The KTA- Mini Grant will fund renovations to the entrance of the Thousand Steps section of the Standing Stone Trail (SST) in Huntingdon County. The Thousand Steps is a major tourism destination with a counter registering close to 30,000 annual trips.
Meet A PA HIKER
👋 Meet Stephanie, a KTA member and supporter from Philadelphia, PA!
Q: Which hiking trails do you recommend (anywhere in PA)?A: "Wissahickon (also called Forbidden Drive) is amazing! Valley Forge also has some nice views and interesting historical sites. Ringing Rocks, Jim Thorpe, PA Grand Canyon ... too many to list."
The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (LHHT) is one of the finest natural trails in Pennsylvania. The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail extends for 70.1 miles from Conemaugh Gorge near Johnstown to the rugged and picturesque Youghiogheny River Gorge at Ohiopyle State Park.
Trail Challenge Volunteers Sought: Spend a Day in the Lower Susquehanna Gorge!
Join KTA as a volunteer for our key fundraising event of the year, Trail Challenge- a rugged 25k. hike/trail run. Volunteers are needed to assist at water stations, with registration, finish line celebrations, road crossing safety personnel, and more. Enjoy a Saturday outside with like-minded folks and supporting fellow outdoor enthusiasts.
Check out volunteer options HERE! Have You Ever Told Someone About KTA? KTA is seeking a pool of volunteers to represent KTA at public events. KTA frequently is invited to business and community fairs to share information about the organization. If you've attended a KTA event, feel passionate about the organization, and get excited when telling others about KTA, you might be a perfect volunteer for these fun events. To learn more, contact Kate Prisby, Manager of Events and Programs at: prisby@kta-hike.org
Allegheny National Forest Hiking Weekend August 16-18 (Fri-Sun) | Allegheny National Forest A long-standing tradition, KTA's ANF Hiking Weekend is great for hikers looking for a laid-back weekend with friends (or friends-to-be). Explore the beautiful forests on guided group hikes during the day. Then enjoy relaxing evenings with a prepared dinner, attend a special guest presentation, or head into town for a night out!Register Now > - Limited Spaces Available!
Trail Challenge 25K Hike/Run September 7 (Sat) | Lower Susquehanna Gorge Challenge yourself to complete these arduous miles of steep climbs and rocky terrain punctuated with fantastic vistas and scenic forest hollows. The course is great for both trail runners pushing for their best times on rugged trails and hikers aiming to complete the strenuous challenge before the evening finish cutoff. *Early bird pricing ends June 30!*Register Now >
Keystone Hiking and Outdoor Weekend October 18-20 (Fri-Sun) | Susquehanna Riverlands Explore the Susquehanna Riverlands through a create-your-own-experience-style weekend! Choose from events hosted by community and outdoor-related organizations to highlight the natural recreational assets of the region. We will have guided adventures, educational opportunities, and stewardship activities. Learn More >Registration opens August 1st!
Pennsylvania Hiking Club Symposium November 16th (Sat)| SAVE THE DATE The Keystone Trails Association's Hiking Club Symposium is an event that promises a day of fun, learning, and camaraderie for Pennsylvania Hiking Clubs and partners.
Virgin Islands National Park Hiking & Eco Adventure| KTA International Trip Fundraiser January 19-26, 2025 | SAVE THE DATE Experience American paradise with KTA! Traverse the many trails in this U.S. national park spanning two thirds of the island of St. John. Explore stunning beaches, exceptional vistas, historic ruins, diverse terrain, and unique ecosystems. Swim or snorkel through sapphire waters and across the coral reefs fringing this natural wonderland. The trip includes roundtrip flights from Harrisburg, seven night’s lodging, all ground transportation, guided daily hikes, ferry service between St. Thomas and St. John, and a farewell dinner the last night of the journey. Accommodations are treehouse-like cottages at Concordia Eco Resort, founded by a pioneer of sustainable tourism. The cottages have kitchen amenities so meals can be prepared on your own or visit the on-site restaurant. Registration opens August 1. Price: $3,549.00 (double occupancy only)
Spring Hiking Weekend at Raystown Lake! April 25-27, 2025| SAVE THE DATE
Healthy Lands Week is a statewide initiative to strengthen volunteer activities, engage visitors, and raise awareness of stewardship of cultural and natural resources. This year’s impactful event runs from National Public Lands Day on September 28 through A Walk in Penn’s Woods Day on October 6. Healthy Lands Week also supports Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Pick Up Pennsylvania initiative.
Conservation Law Program Now Serving Organizations. WeConservePA’s Conservation Law Program, led by Director of Conservation Law Justin Hollinger, Esq., delivers several legal services for the benefit of those working to advance conservation in Pennsylvania, WeConservePA
TreePennsylvania’s PA’s Environmental Justice Forests grant program aims to provide opportunities for communities to increase tree canopy within specific Environmental Justice (EJ) areas throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Applications are now being accepted. Visit TreePennsylvania to learn more!
Pennsylvania researchers test new strategies to fight deadly bat disease, Bay Journal.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Maryland Zoo, and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s Wildlife Futures Program have formed the Allegheny Woodrat Working Group and collaborated on a Woodrat Captive Breeding Program (WCBP) aimed at restoring the declining populations of Allegheny woodrats. ABC27
In the middle of May this year, the federal government revealed five new sentinel landscapes across the country, one of which is located in the Chesapeake Bay watershed of Pennsylvania. The newly designated Kittatinny Ridge Sentinel Landscape, Bay Journal
Other PA Club & Org Events
6/7–6/9: The Allegheny 100 Challenge (A-100) is an unsupported endurance hiking challenge with no timekeepers, no aid stations, and no finish line other than the one hikers set for themselves.
6/7-6/15: Lancaster Water Week, celebrating efforts and opportunities to re-wild for clean water!
6/8: Duck Dash Race, Hosted by the Butler County Outdoor Club, Sponsor a $5 duck to support Butler Chapter of the North Country Trail. Contact Joyce Appel to support, Joyceappel@windstream.net or 724-526-5407
6/8: The Mason-Dixon AT Outdoor Fest, Red Run Park in Waynesboro, PA. There will be food trucks, live music, and plenty of vendors.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Bureau of Forestry invites you to its live townhall event on Wednesday, June 12 at 6 PM Eastern Time. At this townhall, you will hear from State Forester Seth Cassell and Bureau staff about who the Bureau of Forestry is, what its intentions and plans are for the future, and what it means for you as someone that benefits from and cares for forests! REGISTER HERE FOR VIRTUAL TOWNHALL
8/4: Baker Trail UltraChallenge (50-mile ultramarathon on the Baker Trail; the "challenge" is for you or your relay team to win, or at least finish within 14 hours!
7/11: Land Protection Group Meeting Join dozens of your conservation colleagues for an in-person gathering (Reading, PA) of those involved in acquiring and stewarding land and conservation easements on Thursday, July 11, from 9 am to noon, WeConservePa
PA Statewide Outdoor Recreation Map from Purple Lizard!
The statewide Pennsylvania Map that every outdoor enthusiast has dreamed of has arrived.
This map is curated especially for outdoor enthusiasts and highlights the vast array of public land resources managed by Pennsylvania State and National Forests, Recreation Areas, Wild and Natural Areas, State Game Lands, and public lakes managed by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and Army Corps of Engineers.
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