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KTA Webinar: The Scarlet Tanager with Audubon Mid-Atlantic
August 25, 2026 - 6:00 pm | Virtual Join Suzanne Biemiller, Vice President and Executive Director of Audubon Mid-Atlantic, and Jim Brown, Director of Policy at Audubon Mid-Atlantic, for a conversation about a new legislative effort to name the Scarlet Tanager as Pennsylvania's official State Migratory Bird. Suzanne and Jim will share why this designation matters, what it could mean for forest protection statewide, and how Audubon Mid-Atlantic is working to safeguard the habitats that both the Tanager and countless other species rely on. Registration is required, but free- register here! KTA Webinar: Cuffs Run, Overview and Update September 1, 2026 - 6:00 pm | Virtual Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association (LSRA) has spent a majority of its 20 years advocating to ensure hydroelectric facilities are licensed and permitted with conditions that protect water quality and aquatic species. In some instances, the organization must defend against new projects that would cause ecological and economic damage to the Susquehanna watershed. As for the proposed Cuffs Run Pumped Storage Project, it is one that would devastate forests, designated hiking trails, homesteads, conserved lands, recreational areas, and ultimately water quality and quantity. York Energy Storage now has a permit to begin studying the area to prepare for a federal license to build the facility. Ted Evgeniadis serves as the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper and Executive Director and will discuss how LSRA, partners, and residents have fought back and provide some insight into the multi-partner challenge that’s been filed to help save Cuffs Run. Registration is free, but required. - Register here. Hike Harrisburg September 28, 2026 9:00 am- 2:00 pm | Harrisburg Keystone Trails Association invites you to join us for Hike Harrisburg at the Pennsylvania State Capitol on Monday, September 28th from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Hike Harrisburg is an advocacy day where organizations from across the Commonwealth come together to champion hiking, hiking organizations, trail protection, and conservation in Pennsylvania. It's a day to connect with fellow hikers, trail advocates, and conservation-minded Pennsylvanians while showing support for the trails we love. We encourage you to arrive in time to take part in a press conference at 10:30 AM, a key moment of the day when we'll come together to highlight the importance of hiking and trail conservation across the Commonwealth. Learn more and register here! Keystone Trails Association Pinchot Trail Slackpack October 2-4, 2026 | Pinchot State Forest Join KTA for a three day slackpacking adventure on the Pinchot Trail, a 22 mile loop through the Thornhurst Tract of Pinchot State Forest in northeastern Pennsylvania, named for Gifford Pinchot, twice governor of the state and the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service. This hassle free trip lets you complete an exceptional State Forest Hiking Trail while camping at picturesque Tobyhanna State Park, with KTA staff and volunteers handling guiding, shuttling, and meals. Hike 7 to 9 miles daily across a lush, high plateau dotted with bogs, streams, and waterfalls, carrying only a daypack while overnight gear stays at basecamp and a shuttle handles the rest. The package includes three lunches, two breakfasts, and Friday dinner, plus a group outing to a local restaurant Saturday night. Bring your own camping essentials (or borrow through KTA's gear loaner program), and take advantage of an optional van shuttle to and from Harrisburg. Learn more and join the waitlist here! Keystone Hiking & Outdoor Weekend 2026 October 22-25, 2026 | Susquehanna Riverlands Registration is filling quickly! Don't miss this weekend of hikes, trail running, biking, land restoration activities, meeting animals, art workshops, yoga, paddling the River of the Year, boat tours, birding, collaborations with breweries, and more! Looking for accessible outings or something for kids- we've got you covered! Learn more and register here! KTA Webinar: Purple Lizard Maps Origin Story November 10, 2026 - 6:00 pm | Virtual Join Keystone Trails Association for a behind-the-scenes look at the story of Purple Lizard Maps, led by renowned cartographer Michael Hermann. Discover how old-world artistry and hands-on, on-the-ground field research come together with modern digital design to create maps that are exceptional, durable, waterproof, and remarkably user-friendly. Learn what sets Purple Lizard apart in an industry where their work regularly earns national and international awards from fellow cartographers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Registration is free, but required. - Register here. Pennsylvania Hiking Awards and Volunteer Celebration November 21, 2026 | Millersburg, PA Save the date! Learn more about the Pennsylvania Hiking Awards and KTA Service Awards here! St. John Trail Care Trip 2027 Jan. 31 - Feb. 6, 2027 | St. John, US Virgin Islands Join KTA for a service trip as we perform Trail Care and other restorative projects with the Friends of Virgin Islands, and relax, swim, snorkel, hike, and frolic in our free time. Lottery will open in July/August, with first access to those who signed up last year. Spring Hiking Weekend 2027 April 29 - May 2, 2027 | Erie Hike the shores of Lake Erie, get on the water, tour a vineyard, bike Presque Isle, climb a lighthouse, attend a birding program, or take a guided ecology walk! All of these are in the works for 2027. On April 29, and the morning of April 30, there will be hands-on stewardship opportunities for those looking to arrive early. The traditional Spring Hiking Weekend will take place mid-day April 30 through May 2. Activity and meal plan registration will open late 2026/early 2027. Lodging is at Erie Bayfront Hotel, right on the water. KTA has secured discounted rooms; book now through April 2, 2027, to get the reduced rate. Lodging is hot, and we're awaiting word on adding more rooms to our block. If the nights you want to stay are showing up full, please email Kate Prisby, Manager of Events & Programs ([email protected]), and we'll notify you when the room block has more space. Book your room here. |
KTA Trail Care Program Events Registration and detailed information for all these events will be available soon! Learn more about our Trail Care Program. 2026 Trail Care Events: 🥾 Aug. 6-9: TRAIL CARE: Donut Hole Trail, Hyner Run State Park; Link 🥾 Aug. 12: Weekday Trail Care w/CPC @ Bryner Brady; Link 🥾 Aug. 20-23: TRAIL CARE: Allegheny Front Trail, Black Moshannon State Park; Link 🥾 Aug. 27-30: TRAIL CARE: Hickory Run State Park Trails, HRSP; Link 🥾 Sept. 9: Weekday Trail Care w/CPC @ LeTort Spring Garden/Pine Hill; Link 🥾 Sept. 10-13: TRAIL CARE: Pinchot Trail, Tobyhanna State Park 🥾 Sept. 10-13: TRAIL CARE: Bucktail Path, Sinnemahoning State Park; Link 🥾 Sept. 24-27: TRAIL CARE: Chapman State Park Trails, CSP; Link 🥾 Sept. 27: ALL WOMEN'S TRAIL CARE: Pine Grove Furnace/Michaux; Link 🥾 Oct. 1-4: TRAIL CARE: Quehanna Trail, Parker Dam State Park 🥾 Oct. 3: TRAIL CARE Code Orange: Gifford Pinchot State Park 🥾 Oct. 8-11: TRAIL CARE: North Country Trail (Butler), camping TBD 🥾 Oct. 15-18: TRAIL CARE: Donut Hole Trail, Hyner Run State Park 🥾 Oct. 29-Nov. 1: TRAIL CARE: Chuck Keiper Trail, PRC 🥾 Oct. 31: TRAIL CARE Code Orange: KTA’s A.T. Section @ Lehigh Gap 🥾 Nov. 5-8: TRAIL CARE: T Squared Trail, Jersey Mills Ranger Station |
KTA provides program registration scholarships for those who can put newly acquired skills or experiences to good use - to teach others about the environment and/or facilitate more people exploring or caring for trails. Click here to apply.
