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April 2026
Happy Spring! These past few weeks have been full of all of those cliches about stepping into a new role–getting my feet under me, learning the lay of the land, drinking from the fire hose, finding my groove, etc. This also includes feeling overwhelmed at times, but mostly feeling grateful and excited. In the midst of all of that, we relocated our office from a 10-year gig at 46 E. Main Street, Mechanicsburg, to the first-floor offices at 1631 N. Front Street, Harrisburg. This is a transitional space to keep us productive while we continue efforts to take ownership and renovate the Scott Farmstead. Our landlord is the Pennsylvania Association of Sustainable Agriculture (PASA), and we’re super excited to be sharing space with them and thank them for welcoming us. And I have no complaints about watching the birds skim around on the Susquehanna River as I write this.
As I reflect, two things rise to the surface. One: if you want to get to know an organization, put everything they own in boxes. I encountered not only financial records but also the written history of KTA, carefully documented and stored, albeit sometimes a bit haphazardly. This included meeting notes, club records, accounts of events, newsletters, etc. The era was reflected in how the thoughts were captured in those early days–some pecked out on a typewriter, some handwritten. When I think about the effort it took to generate and distribute a multi-page newsletter on a typewriter, with pictures, several times a year, without email or high-speed printers or copiers, via real mail–I’m humbled. Early organizers were dedicated to capturing and sharing stories and keeping the network alive, informed, and engaged. Another gem was a handwritten meeting agenda that reminded the writer to “welcome the clubs.” Here is a critical pillar of KTA. May we always welcome–and celebrate–the clubs and volunteers.
Two: If you want to move furniture and boxes, get hikers to help you. Our first pulse took place on Friday, March 20, when about half of the office was moved. Thank you to Jim Foster, Karen Lutz, Katie Barker, Sandy Slonaker, Haley Feaster, Mark Holmgren, Will Webster, Jane Webster, and Vicky Kelley for making that happen so smoothly. We all enjoyed lunch at the Broad Street Market, another advantage of being in downtown Harrisburg. The final pulse took place on Monday, March 30, and included essentials–computers, desks, more boxes, etc. Thank you to Tony Robbins, Brook Lenker, Karen Lutz, Casey Schneck, Polly Chatterton, Katie Barker, Sam Barker, and Craig Dunn. This time we lunched at Ciervo’s Pizza–some of the best pizza I’ve had in forever. I have never (seriously, never) been involved with a move where people I didn’t know showed up to help. Their commitment is to KTA, and I was awed by their energy, strength, endurance, enthusiasm, and care. A special shout-out to Tony Robbins and Jim Foster for taking furniture and other broken things off our hands and either finding homes for them or channeling them for recycling. Your efforts were above and beyond.
So, we have officially landed on Front Street for now. Our phone number has not changed. What’s new is that each staff member now has an extension off the main number. We hope to see (or hear from) you soon! ~ Holly Smith, KTA Executive Director
KTA's 100-Mile Challenge
Keystone Trails Association's annual 100-Mile Challenge returns April 1 through October 31, 2026! Hikers of all abilities are invited to complete 100+ miles of Pennsylvania trails while raising funds to protect the trails we love.
New this year, KTA has partnered with GoFundMe as our official fundraising platform, making it easier than ever to log miles, collect sponsorships, and share your journey. The goal is simple: raise at least $1 per mile completed. Finish strong and you'll be celebrated at KTA's Pennsylvania Hiking and Volunteer Award Celebration on November 21, 2026.
👉 Ready to lace up? Register and learn more here!
Celebrating National Volunteers Month
Photo by Commonwealth Media Services
April is National Volunteers Month. Keystone Trails Association was honored to be invited alongside DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, local and state leaders, and other conservation partners as they gathered at Black Moshannon State Park in Centre County. The event celebrated the impact of volunteers on public lands and highlighted DCNR's new volunteer conservation website. Al Germann, Regional Trail Care Coordinator: PA Wilds, attending on KTA's behalf. "Our volunteers are the backbone of Keystone Trails Association," said Holly Smith, executive director of the Keystone Trails Association. "In 2025 alone, 196 dedicated individuals showed up across 27 Trail Care events, contributing 3,793 hours of service valued at $122,438. Their dedication is what makes KTA's work possible."
Heads Up, Trail Friends! Cumberland County Planning Commission, Dickinson College, and Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation are hosting a virtual information session on data centers on Wednesday, April 29th from 6:30–8:30 p.m.
A panel of experts will provide an informational presentation for residents, planning commissions, and local governments. Data center development is a growing conversation across Pennsylvania. Staying informed is one of the best ways we can advocate for the trails and landscapes we love.
If you live west of State College and north of the PA Turnpike, you might be just the person we're looking for! Ahead of KTA events in the northwestern quadrant of PA in 2027, we're looking for cheerful volunteers to attend festivals and trail runs to promote Keystone Trails Association.
Help clean up and repair/paint Panther Run Cabin (pics above) for this year's Trail Care Volunteers. Handypersons especially welcome!
The 2026 Trail Care season will be underway soon! The schedule is set; see the website for the entire list of 25(!!!) Trail Care events, plus some Cabin Care weekends, a trail race aid station, and five weekday Trail Cares with Central Pennsylvania Conservancy!
Trail Care sign-up has returned to Google Forms. After mentioning a shift to our Internal CRM System last month, KTA is likely switching CRM systems soon, making an interim change unnecessary. Sign-up will look just as it has the past couple of years, with an online form at the bottom of each Trail Care Event page. Thank you for your patience.
NEW this year is that all volunteers will be required to sign up for an account with DCNR’s new Conservation Volunteer system. Once you do that, you are covered under DCNR’s workmen’s compensation umbrella when working on state forest or park land. Also, you can now earn points towards free camping! Check out their FAQs page. Once you submit your sign-up on KTA’s Trail Care Event website, Jenn will add you to the “Trail Care Team” for that private event in DCNR’s new CV system (and you’ll receive an email from DCNR confirming you’ve been added to the team/event). Then, after the event, Jenn will input all your Trail Care volunteer hours; you won’t have to worry about that. Also, KTA is working with DCNR to host a webinar on June 9th explaining the new system.
Cabin Care: There will be two opportunities to help spruce up Panther Run Cabin: April 9-12 and May 7-10. If you haven’t been there, or had a chance to stay overnight in Sproul State Forest in the PA Wilds, come join us for a day or the weekend. During the second Cabin Care weekend, we also have the opportunity to host a trail race aid station nearest to Panther Run Cabin. See more details and sign up on the Trail Care website.
Our first Trail Care event will be April 23-26 on Reeds Gap Spur and White Mountain Ridge Trails in Mifflin/Union Counties. This year, we secured lodging at Scouting’s Camp Karoondinha near Weikert. You can snag a bed in the cabin or bring a tent and all your camping gear. Reeds Gap Spur Trail connects the state park to Mid State Trail. Continuing our progress from last year, we’ll be widening the corridor and freshening blazes. We’ll also resume our work on re-blazing White Mountain Ridge to be hiking-only.
May: Our weekday events in partnership with Central PA Conservancy kick off May 13th. Watch for varying locations this year throughout Cumberland and Juniata Counties on the second Wednesday through September. Our season continues with weekend events on Mid State Trail Woolrich Region (May 14-17), Chuck Keiper Trail (May 21-22), and Tiadaghton State Forest Trails (May 28-31).
TRAINING: The 2026 Trail Care Academy on March 27-29 was a great event! Our diverse group of participants joined us from all corners of the state: Erie, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, the Lehigh Valley, etc. In the classroom and in the field we learned about safe and ergonomic techniques for moving rocks and building rock structures on trails. Instructors Jenn and Al from KTA, along with Lauren from North Country Trail Association, presented on these and other topics including risk management for trail work, blazing, tool ergonomics, safety, and maintenance. With cooperative weather, a unique location, and a wonderful group of participants, this event was a resounding success! We learned a lot about some interesting trail maintenance topics, and worked as a team to improve a bit of steep, eroded trail. Stone Valley Recreation Area near State College provided a unique, beautiful classroom and lodging facilities. We look forward to providing more Trail Care training in spring of 2027!
Pictures above show participants "rocking it" during KTA's 2026 Trail Care Academy!
KTA Webinar: What's So Cool About a Vernal Pool? April 7, 2026 - 6:00 pm| Virtual Vernal pools are isolated, small wetlands that only contain water for part of the year. They are often found in the forest and are easy to overlook while hiking, yet they are vitally important to the survival of several wildlife species. Join Miranda Smith, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Southwest Region Education Specialist, to learn about vernal pools and how they serve as a vital habitat. Registration is free, but required. Learn more and register here.
Wild & Scenic Film Festival on IMAX & Accessible Hike April 14, 2026 | Lancaster County Join us for a hike, dinner, and a showing of award-winning films in this year's Wild & Scenic Film Festival. The festival is hosted by one of KTA's partners, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. Come for any portion of the evening; all events are accessible. Registration and learn more here!
KTA Webinar: Introducing the South Central Pennsylvania Accessible Adventure Guidebook May 19, 2026 - 6:00 pm| Virtual Join us on May 19th at 6:00 PM for a special webinar celebrating the release of the South Central Accessible Adventure Guidebook, a brand-new resource designed to excite and inspire outdoor adventurers of all abilities. Hear directly from the authors — Brook Lenker of Keystone Trails Association, Janetta Green of JW Consulting, and John Naylor. The guidebook highlights 12 outstanding trails across Pennsylvania's south central region, offering detailed information to help individuals who use mobility aids or have limited mobility plan safe, enjoyable outings. Registration is free, but required. Register here.
Stories of Restoration Sunset Hike June 5, 2026| Lancaster County Hike through Susquehannock State Park as the day comes to a close and hear stories of land and river restoration that have benefited people of the Commonwealth. Our hike ends at Hawk Point Overlook with a brief overview of eagle biology and bald eagle restoration on the lower Susquehanna River. This event is co-hosted by DCNR and is part of Lancaster Conservancy's Water Week. Register here!
America250 PA Cumberland County Appalachian Trail Hikes June 6 & 27, 2026 | Cumberland County Lace up your boots and step foot on the most iconic trail in the United States, the Appalachian Trail. Hit the trail on two dates and cover different portions of the A.T. Great for those looking for long, or short, hikes on the A.T. Register here!
North Country Trail Slackpack- Clarion June 10-12, 2026 | Clarion, PA Join KTA and the Clarion Chapter of the North Country Trail for three days of hiking and a half day of kayaking the Clarion River. Register here!
Wilderness First Aid Certification July 27-28, 2026| Stone Valley Recreation Area, Centre County Learn general medical concepts and basic life support skills so you're ready for a mishap in the outdoors. This training is targeted to the outdoor enthusiast on day trips or short adventures. This training can be paired with Leave No Trace on July 29-30. Learn more and register here.
Leave No Trace Level One Instructor Certification July 29-30, 2026| Stone Valley Recreation Area, Centre County Delve into low-impact skills for outdoor recreation and explore your outdoor ethics. This training is geared toward hiking enthusiasts, trail maintainers, outdoor educators, and those working to preserve public and private lands for recreational use. This training can be paired with Wilderness First Aid on July 27-28. Learn more and register here.
Keystone Trails Association Pinchot Trail Slackpack October 2-4, 2026 | Pinchot State Forest Save the date for a primitive slackpack!
Keystone Hiking & Outdoor Weekend 2026 October 23-25, 2026 | Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Landscape Join KTA in the Susquehanna Conservation Landscape for a weekend of guided hikes, water activities, ecological restoration events, biking, and more! The Susquehanna River is one of the oldest in the world, and its shores and waters are beautiful. Registration opens summer 2026!
A newly introduced bill in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, House Bill 2316, would designate the Scarlet Tanager as the commonwealth's official migratory bird. The vividly colored songbird has deep ties to Pennsylvania, with roughly 13 percent of its global population breeding in the state's mature hardwood forests, more than anywhere else in the country. Audubon Mid-Atlantic has voiced its support for the measure, recognizing both the bird's striking beauty and Pennsylvania's critical role in its survival. Visit Audubon Mid-Atlantic to learn more.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will kick off the 2026 trout fishing season this Saturday, April 4th with roughly 3.2 million trout stocked across 684 streams and 130 public lakes throughout the Commonwealth. Visit Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to learn more.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy recently announced that the Appalachian National Scenic Trail recorded 16.9 million recreation visits in 2025. The milestone highlights the trail's enduring and growing popularity, despite the unique challenge of tracking visitation along a nearly 2,200-mile footpath spanning 14 states with hundreds of access points. Visit Appalachian Trail Conservancy to learn more.
Volunteers Needed for the 2026 Pennsylvania Envirothon. Visit Pennsylvania Envirothon to learn more.
On April 29th, host Christian Alexandersen will sit down with Matt Mikkelsen, Chairperson and Executive Director of Wilderness Quiet Parks, for a conversation on the importance of quiet in the outdoors. Listeners can tune into the Hemlocks to Hellbenders podcast to catch the full episode.
Other PA Club & Organization Events
South Mountain Partnership 2026 Spring Partnership and Regional Trail Coalition Meeting — April 10, 2026 | 9:00 AM & 1:00 PM. Learn more and register here.
2026 Rocksylvania Pennsylvania Appalachian Trail Kickoff | Saturday, April 11th | Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton, PA. Visit the KTA table at the 2026 Rocksylvania Pennsylvania Appahlachian Trail Kickoff hosted by Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club, on Saturday, April 11 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Learn more here.
Wilderness First Aid — April 18–19 | Oliver, Pa. Presented by Outside In. This Wilderness First Aid course provides essential skills for managing medical emergencies in outdoor and remote settings. Please contact administration@myoutsidein.org for more details.
AT Museum Author Event — Sunday, April 19, 2026 | 1:00 PM | Carlisle, PA The Appalachian Trail Museum will welcome author Tim Bennett for a special event at Bosler Memorial Library in Carlisle. Bennett, a hiker, backpacker, photographer, and wilderness paddler, will be presenting his forthcoming memoir, One Mountain After Another — a chronicle of his journey retracing his late father's 1937 footsteps on Vermont's Long Trail following his retirement.
Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference — April 29-May 1, 2026 | Lancaster, PA. Join the Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference at the the premier networking and training event for land conservation professionals. Learn more here.
Hike Across Maryland (HAM) 2026 — Sat, May 23, 2026 | Maryland Save the date for the 2026 Hike Across Maryland on Saturday, May 23, 2026. Mountain Club members will receive a registration invitation around Feb 14, with non-member registration opening Feb 28. First-time, non-member hikers should email their full name and email to get started.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Summer Nature Camps — June 15-Aug 7, 2026 | Kempton, PA. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary announces 2026 Summer Nature Camps—eight weeks of hands-on outdoor learning for youth in grades 1–5, running June 15 through Aug 7. Learn more here.
ALDHA 44th Annual Gathering — October 9-12, 2026 | Gettysburg, PA The Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association will host its 44th Annual Gathering over Columbus Day Weekend at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, PA — just a half hour from the Appalachian Trail. The four-day event welcomes section hikers, thru-hikers, and all lovers of trails to share adventures, discover new routes, and connect with fellow wanderers. Numerous workshops covering lightweight gear, food, and first aid are designed to help those planning to thru-hike the A.T. in 2027 prepare for the trail ahead. Learn more here.
21st Annual Chesapeake Watershed Forum — November 13-15, 2026 | Shepherdstown, WV. The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay will host the 21st Annual Chesapeake Watershed Forum at the National Conservation Training Center. Save the date and learn more here.
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