Seeking an Opportunity to Help PA Trails?

March, 2014

Dear Friends,

Our community possessed the foresight to found the Keystone Trails Association back in 1956.  Together, over the last 58 years, we have created a strong, credible and vibrant hiker community organization.  Today, Keystone Trails Association is the only nonprofit organization dedicated solely to protecting and promoting all of Pennsylvania’s hiking trails.

Our work wouldn’t be possible without the thousands of people around the state and country who love Penn’s woods enough to support KTA with their time and money.  Many of you have helped us in so many ways, and have our sincerest appreciation for your role in making KTA’s accomplishments possible.  Each contribution we receive supports these, and other, programs:

• KTA’s Trail Care Program organizes and trains hundreds of volunteers each year, to clear brush, improve drainage, and keep trails throughout the state safe and passable for hikers and trail runners.   Trails don’t happen naturally.  They are built and maintained by committed, hard-working volunteers that put their time and sweat into keeping the footpaths accessible and enjoyable. 

• Pennsylvania’s hiking trails pass through some of the states’ most wild and scenic landscapes.  KTA’s Trail Advocacy Program actively responds to proposals that could impact trails in Pennsylvania, to protect the wilderness experience.

• Through KTA’s Outreach Program, which promotes hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania, KTA widens efforts to promote Penn’s Woods as a resource of state and national significance.  Through awareness, we can build a stronger community of champions to protect Pennsylvania’s trails.

Creating tomorrow’s trail stewards is an important aspect of our work.  With your help, we can grow our KTA Kids Program and bring more young people into our work as hikers, volunteers, and advocates for Pennsylvania's footpaths.

Your  support is vital, as we work together to protect our shared wooded havens – treasured places for children to grow up learning about nature, and for adults seeking respite from their hurried, technology-filled lives — for generations to come.  Every contribution is appreciated.  Please give as generously as you can. Thank you.

With Sincere Appreciation,

Curt Ashenfelter, Executive Director