President's Corner- Wayne E. Gross, President, Board of Directors, KTA

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