Keystone Trails Association welcomes three new staff members, expanding its presence throughout Pennsylvania

KTA’s newest employees reside in Lancaster, Bedford, and Lock Haven, making the organization more accessible for developing powerful strategic partnerships

Mechanicsburg, PA: The Keystone Trails Association, a statewide organization committed to providing, protecting, preserving, and promoting hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania, is pleased to announce the appointment of three new staff members: Al Germann as Regional Trail Care Coordinator in the PA Wilds, Kate Prisby as Manager of Events and Programs, and Haley Feaster as Manager of Communications and Development.

Once an all-volunteer organization with only a few staff, KTA is transitioning to a staff-driven organization destined to expand its reach and impact on the hiking community and trails preservation in Pennsylvania.

“These new hires are a proactive, strategic response to our leaders who are investing more resources into elevating outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania,” shares Brook Lenker, Executive Director of KTA. “KTA will now more than ever be an amplifier for the importance of hiking and hiking trails across the commonwealth.”

Al Germann brings experience in trail stewardship and a passion for exploring the state’s great outdoors to a new position focusing on the extensive trail network in the PA Wilds region, assessing trail conditions, and organizing maintenance activities as KTA’s first Trail Care Coordinator.

Kate Prisby, with a background in education, program management, volunteer recruitment, and conservation leadership, will serve as KTA’s Manager of Events and Programs. In this role, she will orchestrate outings and other programs that offer memorable trail adventures and teach hiking etiquette, safety, and skills – ensuring that hikers of all demographics and experience levels feel comfortable and respected on PA’s trails.

Haley Feaster, an entrepreneur with a resume steeped in advocacy and communications, will expand KTA’s network of partners and continue to build awareness of KTA’s mission as Manager of Communications and Development. She brings a wealth of energy and ideas to her new post.  

“KTA is equipped with an incredibly talented staff,” says Lenker. “We’re looking forward to great success as we begin implementing KTA’s five-year strategic plan that will work in harmony and support aspirations for a strong and sustainable outdoor recreation economy.” 

About Keystone Trails Association: The Keystone Trails Association offers a robust trail care program with volunteer opportunities available on PA trails, serves as the statewide voice of the hiking trail community and trail advocate in PA’s capital, and offers a wealth of hiking opportunities throughout the year that both long-time hikers and the next generation of hikers can enjoy together. 

Keystone Trails Association to Host Special “Trail Love” Maintenance Event in the Michaux State Forest on National Trails Day

​KTA has been awarded a generous Mini-Grant from the South Mountain Partnership to organize a collaborative hiking trail maintenance event within the Michaux State Forest.

Mechanicsburg, PA: Keystone Trails Association, a statewide organization committed to providing, protecting, preserving, and promoting hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania, will be hosting a new “Trail Love: Michaux State Forest Edition” maintenance event on Saturday, June 1, 2024, celebrating National Trails Day and the 40th anniversary of its Trail Care Program.

Trail Love will be a lively and festive trail maintenance blitz at sites throughout the forest. Volunteers will have a variety of projects to choose from including options that are accessible and accommodating for any level of maintenance experience. 

“Trail Love will be a fun way to welcome first-time volunteers and elevate our seasoned regulars!” shares Jenn Ulmer, Manager of Trail Maintenance and Training at KTA. “We’re honored to have so many great partners coming together to host trail maintenance projects at the event including PA DCNR, surrounding Friends groups, Pennsylvania Parks & Forest Foundation, and Appalachian Trail Conservancy, just to name a few.”

A South Mountain Partnership Mini-Grant was awarded to the Keystone Trails Association for the planning and development of Trail Love during the September 2023 Power of the Partnership Celebration.

“Pennsylvania’s conservation landscapes, like the South Mountain, are critical to the preservation of our state’s hiking trails,” shares Brook Lenker, Executive Director of KTA. “South Mountain Partnership is doing incredible work to promote the Michaux State Forest. We’re excited to collaborate with them on this event and hope it helps people feel more invested and connected to the South Mountain region.”

Volunteers for Trail Love will have the option to camp out the Friday evening before the event at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, can enjoy complimentary meals on Saturday (including a special cookout), and will receive a free commemorative t-shirt. 

Learn more about and volunteer for Trail Love: Michaux State Forest Edition at:
www.kta-hike.org/michauxtraillove 

About Keystone Trails Association: The Keystone Trails Association offers a robust trail care program with volunteer opportunities available on PA trails, serves as the statewide voice of the hiking trail community and trail advocate in PA’s capital, and offers a wealth of hiking opportunities throughout the year that both long-time hikers and the next generation of hikers can enjoy together. 


This project was financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, Environmental Stewardship Fund, under the administration of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. The grant was awarded through the South Mountain Partnership, with management oversight of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

We are a partner of the South Mountain Partnership, an alliance of organizations working to preserve and enhance the cultural and natural assets of the South Mountain Landscape in Central Pennsylvania. To learn more about the Partnership, please visit www.southmountainpartnership.org.

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We want to announce a sizable bequest that has just been received from the George Gardiner Probst Estate. In his honor, the majority of the bequest has been invested in the Keystone Trails Endowment fund. George, who is from Wellsville, NY just north of the Pennsylvania line, was a veteran of the United States Navy and the United States Air Force. He was a Mason, and a member of the Susquehannock Trail Club, and Finger Lakes Trail Conference. He enjoyed hiking, backpacking, fishing, hunting, and camping. He especially enjoyed canoeing the Pine Creek in the Grand Canyon of PA. See his full obituary here: https://www.eveningtribune.com/obituaries/p0200357.    

Continuing to grow our endowment fund is important to providing long-term financial stability to our organization. Consider KTA in your estate planning to make a positive impact on Pennsylvania Trails for future generations.

Please take this opportunity to consider making a donation to The Keystone Trails Endowment Fund sometime this year as a lasting legacy to the mission of KTA. KTA member clubs and other groups may also make contributions to the fund. Consider making a donation in honor or memory of a club member who has made a difference in your club or the hiking community.  

​An application is available on the KTA website:
https://www.kta-hike.org/keystone-trails-endowment.html 
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Donations will be recognized at the KTA Keystone Hiking and Outdoor Weekend, Susquehanna Riverlands, October 18-20, 2024.  

Thanks for your support,
Wayne E. Gross
KTA Development Committee Chair

Dear Member & Friend of KTA,

Spring is upon us!  Get out for a hike and bring a friend!   

I want to thank you for your efforts in furthering our mission of providing, preserving, protecting, and promoting recreational hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania. At a pivotal grassroots level, each of you is making a difference. Whether it be through trail maintenance, volunteering with local hiking clubs, adding your voice to advocacy issues affecting our trails, or leading a local hike, we thank you. 

A lot is going on with KTA. Through the efforts of our Executive Director, Brook Lenker, KTA has received Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Grants and has completed another application for 2024 DCNR funding. These grants are invaluable in helping KTA further its mission. 

Under the leadership of the Strategic Planning Committee, Chair Krista Cessna, KTA developed a strategic plan. The plan was adopted by the Board in December 2023 to help guide us over the next five years. Our strategic plan is beginning to be implemented. 

Congratulations to the trail and hiking clubs receiving the KTA mini-grants helping the clubs meet the needs of our hiking trails. The funds for these grants are direct investment disbursements from our endowment fund. Please apply for future mini-grant opportunities for your hiking clubs when available.

We mark our 40th anniversary of KTA Trail Care in 2024. Plan to participate in one or more trail care activities that Jenn Ulmer and Al Germann have lined up for us. Check out our website for details.

We wish a fond farewell to our Manager of Communications and Development, Holly Tritt, who is following other pursuits. We thank her for her enthusiasm and dedication to KTA. 

Welcome to Kate Prisby, Manager of Events and Programs, Al Germann, Regional Trail Care Coordinator: PA Wilds, and Haley Feaster, Manager of Communications and Development. We welcome these new staff who we are sure will bring their great diversity of talents to help us achieve the mission of KTA. These three join Brook, Casey, and Jenn on our staff to make great things happen for Pennsylvania Trails with our KTA volunteers and partner organizations.

The Board and I wish to give a special shout out to our Executive Director, Brook Lenker, who has been navigating us through the many changes that have been occurring - all for the better.

There is a full list of KTA events, activities and trail care opportunities. Please visit our website and sign up for one or more and bring a friend.

We have our upcoming KTA Spring Hiking Weekend in Stroudsburg, PA on April 19-21.  Please take an opportunity to go to our website and sign up by April 5th to attend.  Hoping to see you there.

For the trails and those who wander on them!

Thanks
Wayne E. Gross
President, Board of Directors 
Keystone Trails Association

The Statewide voice of Pennsylvania Hikers