Keystone Trails Association - Constant Contactfiles.constantcontact.com/c6564ef3201/091cd47b-b05e-49ae... · 2016-12-15 · Keystone Trails Association 2015-2016 Annual Report - 11

Keystone Trails Association

Annual Report 2015 - 2016

Keystone Trails Association, a volunteer-directed, public service

organization is a federation of membership organizations and

individuals dedicated to providing, preserving, protecting and

promoting recreational hiking trails and hiking opportunities in

Pennsylvania, and to representing and advocating the interests and

concerns of the Pennsylvania hiking community.

Contents

Highlights……………………………………………………………………....page 3

Programs and Events………………………………………………………….page 4

Advocacy……………………………………………………………………...page 11

Trail Care………………………………………………………………………page 13

Membership…………………………………………………………………..page 15

Financials

Treasurer Report……………...……………………………………….page 16

Budget 2016-2017………………………………………………………page 17

Keystone Trails Association 2015-2016 Annual Report - 3 -

Highlights

2015 – 2016

The KTA office was moved

from Harrisburg to

Mechanicsburg

New Programs were added:

Trek The Tiadaghton

Quehanna Elk Quest

Annual Programs were

offered:

Spring Hiking Weekend

Prowl the Sproul

KTA Trail Challenge

Fall Hiking Weekend

The staff finished their first

full year together

The KTA budget was in the

black by over $9000.00 or

approximately 4% of budget

KTA participated in

community events: Earth

Day, Jubilee Day, Duncannon

Trails Day, Art & Wine Walk

The many successes reflected in our hiking history typify KTA’s relevance as the voice

of PA’s hikers and trails here in our Commonwealth. Our mission of providing,

preserving, protecting and promoting recreational hiking trails and hiking

opportunities in Pennsylvania through outreach, policy, stewardship, trail care

and advocacy defines who we are.


A Closer Look at KTA’s Programs for 2015 – 2016

1. Fall Hiking Weekend at Doubling Gap in Newville, PA

The Fall Hiking Weekend in 2015 had 101 participants compared to 113

in 2014.

Income was $11,475.00, expenses were $7,372.00, netting $4103.00.

80

90

100

110

120

2014 2015

Participants

Series 1

50%

32%

18%

Revenue

Income Expense Net


2. Spring Hiking Weekend in Wellsboro, PA

The Spring Hiking Weekend had 141 participants in 2016 compared to

145 in 2015.

Income was $21,020.00, expenses were $15,423.00, netting $5,597.00.

135

140

145

150

2015 2016

Participants

Series 1

50%

37%

13%

Revenue

Income Expense Net


38%

50%

-12%

Revenue

Income Expense Net

3. Trek the Tiadaghton in Waterville, PA

This was the first year this program was offered. Participation was

disappointing as only 21 people attended.

Income was $1,570.00, expenses were $2,082.00, netting ($512.00).


4. Prowl the Sproul in Renovo, PA

72 participants attended the Prowl the Sproul Hiking Weekend in 2016

compared to 76 in 2015.

Income was $3,121.00, expenses were $2,402.00, netting $719.00.

60

80

2015 2016

Participants

Participants

50%

38%

12%

Revenue

Income Expense Net


5. KTA Trail Challenge in Lancaster/York Counties

Registration began months later than normal due to uncertainties

and controversy over Holtwood Recreation Area. A rebranding of the

event (name change) also contributed to some confusion. The event

had 586 participants in 2015 but that fell to 421 this year.

Income was $30,060.00, expenses were $18,336.00, netting

$11,724.00. Last year we netted approximately $23,000.00.

0100200300400500600700

2015 2016

Year

Participants

50%

30%

20%

Revenue

Income Expense Net


6. Quehanna Elk Quest in Elk County

This was the first year this program was offered. 15 people attended

(the limit was set at 19) and 3 members of the Board of Directors led

hikes. Income was $3,222.00, expenses were $2,805.00, netting

$418.00.

50%

44%

6%

Revenue

Income Expense Net


7. Fall Hiking Weekend in Emlenton, PA

The participation in 2016 was 105 while in 2015 101 people attended.

Income was $12,268.00, while expenses were approximately

$4,807.00, for a net of $7,461.00.

99

100

101

102

103

104

105

106

2015 2016

Year

Participants

50%

20%

30%

Revenue

Income Expense Net


Advocacy

KTA works with Pennsylvania’s General Assembly, Legislative Committees,

Advisory Committees and state agencies to ensure the protection of trails,

the preservation and promotion of the hiking experience and the

safeguarding of our natural areas.

Sunday Hunting

Public Private

Partnerships on

State Parks

Endangered Species

LWCF

Clean Water Act

Holtwood

Recreation Area

DCNR’s FRMP


KTA was involved in seven major advocacies efforts in this fiscal year.

1. Sunday Hunting – KTA staff personally visited offices of members of the PA

House of representatives, testified at a Senate hearing, sent out position papers

and talking points, and most recently opposed an amendment to a hunting

license fee increase bill. All efforts to pass Sunday Hunting were defeated.

2. HB 2013 (Public Private Partnerships) – An effort was made to take

authority away from DCNR and give it to the legislature on issues relating to

Public Private Partnerships on State Parks. This would open our parks up to

development of amusements parks, golf courses, office buildings, etc. KTA sent

emails to all 200+ House members opposing this legislation. Working with our

conservation partners this effort was defeated.

3. Endangered Species Amendments - related to changing the process for

endangered species designation in Pennsylvania. The Amendments would

undermine the ability of our wildlife management agencies to protect the

mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians of the Commonwealth. KTA is part

of a coalition of groups opposing this effort.

4. Land and Water Conservation Fund – KTA wrote op-eds and lobbied in

Washington DC with the Wilderness Society, Appalachian Mountain Club and

other groups for reauthorization and funding of this federal legislation.

5. Clean Water Act - KTA wrote op-eds and letters supporting The Clean Water

Act (CWA) which establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of

pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards

for surface waters. There were congressional efforts to weaken this law.

6. Holtwood Recreation Area – There was a change in ownership of the

Holtwood Recreation Area and the new owners initially posted the property in

early 2016. Our 50k race went through this property and in 2015 the 25k portion

of the event began here. KTA communicated with state and federal officials

along with partners such as the Lancaster County Conservancy to have the

property opened for use. However, delays and controversy cost us in

participation in the event (see above).

7. DCNR Forest Resource Management Plan – KTA provided both

written comments and testimony in DCNR’s new plan.


Trail Care

The Keystone Trails Association offers a robust trail care program with

volunteer opportunities available on trails across the state. Beginning in

1984, the Trail Care Program was created to lend a hand to local trail clubs

wherever there was exceptional need for a trail crew. That summer an

eight-week work program kicked off the first trail care season in what

would become one of the Keystone Trails Association’s most successful

initiatives.

Today the Keystone Trails Association offers many opportunities for

volunteers to do their part in maintaining Pennsylvania’s hiking trails,

including Code Orange trail care days, Trail Care weekends and weeklong

Summer Trail Crews.


2016 Report

The KTA Trail Care Program continues to have a dedicated corps of experienced

volunteers who come to multiple events, augmented by people who come to

only one. This year the participation levels were somewhat down when

compared with previous years. Out of 108 participants, 47 were first time

volunteers to the program, 83 came to only 1 event and 25 people came to 2 or

more. The figures for the 2015 season were 118, 53, 86, and 32 and for the 2014

season were 115, 43, 81, and 34.

The KTA Trail Care Program needs to continue to attract first time volunteers,

entice this year’s first timers to return to future events and encourage people

who come to only 1 event to come to 2 or more, thus expanding the steadfast

corps of experienced volunteers.

The total work hours for this season came in at 2,708 (2,957 for 2015) with 1,279

(1,556 in 2015) coming from week-long crews.

Highlights:

Thunder Swamp Trail Crew (one week) cleared over 100 blow downs to clear the

main loop and also brushcut halfway around the main loop, with only 5

volunteers.

The Donut Hole/Chuck Keiper Trails Crew (one week) had only 4 volunteers, and

very little maintenance is done on either trail outside of the annual KTA Trail

Crew week.

Volunteers did excellent work on both the West Rim and Tuscarora Trails. The

well-attended Trail Care on the Black Forest Trail yielded significant good work

both clearing sections of the trail and improving treadway.


Membership

We have 41 active (dues-paying) member clubs

Our October 2016 digital newsletter was sent to 4,853 individuals, with a

30% open rate. Our open rates are consistently significantly higher than

industry standard (20.98% for nonprofit membership organizations).

Membership at Fiscal Year Close 9/30/2016 (Late Renewals Not Shown)

Membership Type Number Number

12/21/2015 Regular 270 424

Keep Trails Alive (excl. Life) 18 13

Life 252 251

Life Family 6 5

Family 120 83

Introductory Individual / Family 132 / 12 80

Brush Cutter 53 37

Blaze Cutter Family 24 16

Blaze Painter 24 14

Blaze Painter Family 22 8

Trail Builder 7 7

Trail Builder Family 1 1

Trail Challenge 793 338

Youth 2 1

Current Donors* 48 15

TOTAL 1781 1293 *Donors do not pay for membership, but contribute a comparable sum during the year.

No organization survives without active, devoted and energetic members. When it comes to hiking and hiking trails, that's you!

Individuals, hiking and outdoors clubs, and sympathetic businesses and other organizations are welcome as members of KTA. Our Affiliated Clubs are local hiking clubs (Member Organizations) or businesses and other supporters (Partner Members) who work with us to promote hiking trails and their use and preservation. There might be one right in your neighborhood.

Keystone Trails Association relies heavily on its members' dues payments and charitable donations to fund its work in support of Pennsylvania's hiking trails. Every member of our organization realizes the importance of trail safety and preservation, and with their contributions restore, preserve, and beautify our state's footpaths for generations to come.


Keystone Trails Association, Treasurer Report

October 15, 2016

Dear Fellow Keystone Trails Association member;

Attached you will find copies of the Association’s internal financial statements for the twelve

month period of the 2015-2016 year ending September 30, 2016. These statements have been

prepared by Dan Grabenstein, the Association’s bookkeeper and have been reviewed by me.

My comments are as follows:

For the year ending September 30, 2016, Keystone Trail Association the unaudited statements

show a gain of $9,724.35 compared to a loss of ($14,094) for the year ending September 30,

2015. I note that these are unaudited statements and are subject to audit and there will be

some corrections.

For the period total revenue was $205,175 compared to a budget of $167,655 or a positive

variance of $37,520. Individual memberships were $17,524 above budget but about $10,000 of

that positive number can be explained in the timing of membership renewals; which went out

late in the prior year resulting in the dollars being received and reported in this year. Retail

and wholesale sales finished slightly above budget, the Spring and Fall meetings were both

above budget and resulted in gains for the organization, and in spite of a difficult start to the

registration period the Tail Challenge was only $940 short of budget. Major areas of short fall

were Trail Challenge Sponsorships, ($4,200) and Prowl the Sproul ($1,379)

On the expense side, per the statement KTA had a negative variance of ($26,034) as total

expenses were $182,624 compared to a budget of $156,590. The major areas of negative

variance were the office move and utilities ($1,678), KTA trail challenge ($12,336), Quehanna

Elk Quest ($2,459 which is an incorrect post by the bookkeeper and will be corrected via the

audit), membership development ($2,240 not included in budget but needed, and Trail Care

($4,593 as approved by council at last October meeting)

Again, I repeat myself, but the financial statement will be audited as normal business practice

requires. We will have the audited statement by December of this year and will report on the

results. There will be adjustments to the final numbers via the audit. A few have been noted

above; in addition with the office move some needed items were donated. Accounting rules

require that these items be recognized as revenue and either expensed or capitalized and

depreciated over the use full life of the asset. This was not done and over the audit items with

a value of $5,000 or more will be capitalized and depreciated in the fiscal year just closed. The

total effect of this adjustment is not known at this time.

Sincerely,

Ernest W. Werstler, Jr.



Keystone Trails Association

Established 1956

46 East Main St Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania 17055

717.766.9690 [email protected] kta-hike.org

Documents

Keystone Trails Association - Constant Contactfiles.constantcontact.com/c6564ef3201/091cd47b-b05e-49ae... · 2016-12-15 · Keystone Trails Association 2015-2016 Annual Report - 11