Standing room only at Trail Dirt Live San Diego

PCT enthusiasts and supporters from Southern California and beyond packed the La Jolla Shores Hotel meeting room Saturday, Jan. 23, for our Trail Dirt Live event. Trail Dirt Live continues to grow in popularity as PCTA members, volunteers, hikers, horseback riders, board members and staff get together to hear the latest news and celebrate PCTA’s recent accomplishments, which are spurred by the generous support of all of our members and volunteers. The event also provides a forum in which to address upcoming challenges and opportunities.

PCTA Executive Director and CEO Liz Bergeron opened the event by drawing attention to the PCTA’s growth and success from the end of 2014 through 2015: 18 percent growth in website traffic; membership up from 9,800 to 11,600; Facebook likes up from 67,000 to 108,000; and the number of Long-distance Permits issued up from 2,655 to 4,453. With donations also up over the previous year, 2015 was an outstandingly successful year by many measures.

Liz Bergeron welcoming attendees at Trail Dirt Live.

Liz Bergeron welcoming attendees at Trail Dirt Live.

However, success, as Trail Operations Director Mike Dawson pointed out, is also characterized by what is not happening or being seen on the trail. “Success is the clear cut you’re not walking through, the power line you’re not walking under, and the development that is not near the trail.” Mike went on to stress that none of these successes would be possible without the enormous contributions of PCTA’s 1,800 volunteers who in 2015 maintained 1,482 miles of trail, reconstructed 24 miles and gave 96,450 hours of their time.

Southern California Regional Representative Anitra Kass spoke about some of the issues affecting her region. She described how mudslides, last year’s Mountain and Powerhouse fires and the resulting trail damage and closures will create new challenges in 2016 and beyond. Assessment of the damage is still underway. Anitra echoed Mike’s thanks for the huge support of our volunteers and donors in helping keeping the trail open and the closures and detours to a minimum. “Volunteers are the life-force of work on the trail,” Anitra said.

Anitra Kass providing a Southern California region update.

Anitra Kass providing a Southern California region update.

Megan Wargo, PCTA’s Land Protection Director, wrapped up the presentations with a summary of her work over the past year, as well as a glimpse of future projects. With 10 percent of the trail on private land and under potential threat from development, Megan’s work to ensure the PCT remains protected and preserved and doesn’t lose its iconic wilderness character is more vital than ever. Key to this endeavor was the purchase and implementation in 2015 of software to build a GIS system to help us track information about private properties along the PCT. Among other things, the software will allow us to create maps to help communicate about these land protection opportunities.

Megan Wargo describing PCTA’s land protection work.

Megan Wargo describing PCTA’s land protection work.

Megan went on to describe how in 2015, PCTA leveraged nearly $1.5 million federal dollars to acquire and permanently protect 1,132 acres on the PCT and how we worked with a number of partners in the Land and Water Conservation Fund Coalition to achieve reauthorization of the program for three more years. $450 million was appropriated to the program for fiscal year 2016, which is 50 percent more than it has received in the past few years. Megan also touched briefly on the active land acquisition projects along the trail, including six projects in Washington, two in Oregon, and 13 in California that include 21,220 acres. PCTA is taking the lead to negotiate purchase options on three properties totaling 11,147 acres and nearly 19 miles of the PCT.

Liz taking a question from the floor.

Liz taking a question from the floor.

We look forward to sharing updates on all these projects over the coming year. And we look forward to seeing you at the next Trail Dirt Live. Stay tuned.

Author: Mark Waters

As the Pacific Crest Trail Association’s Associate Director of Philanthropy, Mark helps develop compelling opportunities for donors to support the PCTA and make the experience of giving satisfying and rewarding. He enjoys spending his free time playing and exploring with his sons.