At KTA’s Spring Hiking Weekend, Diane Kripas, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Partnerships Division Chief, presented Curt Ashenfelter, KTA’s recently retired Executive Director, with an honorary hiking stick from the DCNR.
She said the following: “Curt has done a tremendous job as an advocate for hiking community. It is no longer good enough to just go into the woods and do the good work they do in trails and lead great hikes. Curt understood the need to elevate the importance of hiking, trail maintenance, and the forests the hiking community cares about. DCNR hears from a cacophony of recreational voices—all demanding more trails, more access, more of everything. Without KTA as a strong voice for hiking and the landscape it depends on, hikers would be lost in the din. Curt’s strong experience in the legislature and his approach to partnering with other groups and organizations has been truly effective.”
We at KTA value our partnership with the DCNR and look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship in the coming years. We thank Diane Kripas, Curt Ashenfelter, and everyone who has helped lay a solid foundation for working with the DCNR to provide, preserve, protect, and promote recreational hiking trails and hiking opportunities throughout Pennsylvania."