by Shanna Klucar, Program Administrator
Year-round, Pennsylvania’s footpaths are built, maintained, and improved by crews of dedicated and hard-working volunteers from across the state. Recently, in the State College region of the Mid State Trail during our first Trail Care Weekend of the season, I witnessed firsthand the amazing work these men and women do. In 2015, KTA Trail Care and Trail Crew volunteers will lop, brush-cut, blaze, relocate, and otherwise improve at least 15 sections of trail throughout the Commonwealth. In addition to KTA’s Trail Care Program, volunteer maintainers from many of KTA’s member clubs will contribute their time and energy to the trails closest to their homes and nearest to their hearts. Without these volunteers, our treasured footpaths would soon become impassable and eventually have to be abandoned. If you have helped maintain or build Pennsylvania's trails, thank you.
Our vulnerable hiking trails face threats beyond the scope of what can be tackled through trail maintenance—threats from industry interests and other user groups. At KTA, we work to alert and inform the Pennsylvania hiking community of potential and realized threats to our trails and, when necessary, organize our members to take action. The real power of KTA is in our collective voice; with the support of our passionate and outspoken trail advocates, we have been able to create real change in state government and with state agencies. If you’ve helped advocate on behalf of Pennsylvania’s trails– by sending a letter or e-mail, making a call, attending a rally or workshop, or in any other way—thank you.
KTA’s member clubs maintain trails and organize hikes throughout the Commonwealth and in nearby states. They reach a combined total of approximately 35,000 hikers—many more than KTA can do alone. They’re the primary local resource for new hikers and provide a tangible sense of community for those seeking friendship based on a common love of the outdoors. Their volunteers ensure that “their” trails are kept accessible and inviting for hikers everywhere. If you’re a member of one or more of KTA’s member clubs, thank you.
Nearly 1,400 individuals and families are members of KTA. These members help provide KTA with the stable financial footing we require to bring high-quality programs and services to the Pennsylvania hiking community. As a small nonprofit organization with a BIG mission, we rely heavily on the financial support we receive from these hikers and trail enthusiasts. If you are a KTA member, thank you.
KTA is an association of volunteer maintainers, hike leaders, trail advocates, and member organizations and individuals. Each of you plays a vital role in our Association—without you, Pennsylvania’s hiking trails would be underused and overgrown. Without you, KTA would not exist.
Thank you all for everything you do to help KTA fulfill its mission of providing, preserving, protecting, and promoting hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania. Together, we are KTA.