2026 March 11

Quick recap

This board meeting of the Rachel Carson Trail Conservancy focused on reviewing committee updates and organizational matters. The group discussed technical issues with Zoom security settings that were preventing easy access to meetings, with Ed suggesting Google Meet as an alternative option. Financial reports showed an increase of approximately $13,000 from the previous month, bringing the total to $613,913. The board approved John's invoice for 78 hours of work and various minor expenses including an igloo cooler and postage supplies. Committee reports covered planning and promotion activities, including t-shirt selection with samples being reviewed, while the DEI committee reported strong interest in their upcoming spring hike with 225 people registered. John provided updates on trail development, including progress on the Harmony Trail extension and successful meetings with municipal stakeholders regarding trail connections. The conversation ended with discussions about new trail maps being available for purchase and plans for an upcoming meeting with county economic development officials in April.

Next steps

• John: Send the draft Little Room Conservation and Recreation Plan to the entire board.
• Charlie: Mention to trail stewards if they need any tools or supplies for upcoming trail work.
• John: Create and share a follow-up report with stakeholders from the Highland Park area meeting, including recommended next steps.
• John: Obtain and provide a contact number for West Penn Power/First Energy for notification purposes regarding trail work on their property.
• Steve: Contact Public Lands (and/or Jesse) to inquire about selling the new trail maps through their store.
• Amy: Send any promising names from recent registrations to Dwayne (or the nominations committee) for potential board member recruitment.
• Dwayne: Provide an update on progress regarding board member nominations (via email list).
• John: Schedule and notify Paul, Steve, and others of the meeting with Lauren Connelly (Allegheny County Economic Development) in April, and confirm attendees.
• John: Follow up with eSphere regarding the status of ECR applications and attempt to move the process forward.
• Steve: Strongly encourage in-person attendance for the April 8th board meeting and coordinate with board members.

Summary

Zoom Security Settings Discussion

Rachel and Ed discussed issues with Zoom security settings, where Rachel was required to admit meeting participants manually. Ed suggested using Google Meet as an alternative, as it allows easier access without security restrictions. The meeting participants acknowledged that some members were absent, including Dwayne and Chris, and Ed mentioned he would have to leave early due to being on the West Coast.

Financial and Program Updates Meeting

The group discussed meeting minutes from January and February, which were approved without issues. They reviewed the upcoming calendar, confirming that all training hikes for the challenge were scheduled. The financial report was presented, showing an increase of approximately $13,000 compared to the previous month, with membership fees, donations, and sponsorships contributing to the growth. The group also discussed the Amazon Baker challenge, noting that entries would be reported in the next month's financial update.

Invoice and Project Updates Meeting

The meeting covered the approval of John's invoice for 78 hours, with Rachel expressing concern about the high number of hours for a short month. Ed mentioned that some projects, such as the Rachel Carson Parks Fire Trail and the data center, were under control and could be handled by him. The group approved the invoice, and Rachel presented some minor expenses for board members. The conversation ended with a brief discussion about t-shirts, which had been a topic from the previous meeting.

Shirt Fabric and Manufacturing Decisions

The team discussed shirt options, focusing on fabric and color choices, with Rachel noting that Forest Solid was selected as the preferred color. They agreed to move forward with shirt manufacturer decisions pending further testing by Doug, who was described as the "fabric king." The group also touched on the RCT report, with Rachel updating that Herman Bertolini, the maintenance manager in East Deer, had not yet updated prices but expected them to remain stable. Finally, they briefly mentioned Harmony starting in April and the need to distribute tool requests to stewards.

Spring Hike and Trail Updates

Rachel discussed the upcoming spring hike, which has 225 people interested, and clarified that it is a 1-3 mile hike in North Park, not an annual event. She also mentioned that the Harmony Trail extension to Forest Road was approved at a council meeting, with the next step being to connect it from the south and north. Additionally, Rachel reported that Hampton municipal staff confirmed no development would occur at the route crossing, and they would support a future light at Anderson Road.

Rachel Carson Trail Neighborhood Connections

Rachel discussed the potential connection of neighborhoods to the Rachel Carson Trail, emphasizing the need to confirm the existence of a paper street and gain support from Hampton. She also addressed concerns about land filling and trail construction, noting that Constant expressed willingness to collaborate. Additionally, Rachel mentioned an official agreement with West Penn Power to use their property for a trail connection to Agin Park, and highlighted the need for a contact number for utility companies. She also shared details about a scheduled public meeting for the Little Room Conservation and Recreation Plan and discussed the Highland Park area meeting, where there was support for connecting hiking trails and open spaces.

Trail Maintenance and Board Updates

The group discussed trail maintenance activities, including work on the Baker Trail and Mahoning Lake area by Donna and her crew, as well as trail improvements and connections. They reviewed new trail maps for the Rachel Carson Trail, which are now available for purchase, and discussed the possibility of selling them through public lands retailers. The meeting also covered the resignation of board member Ed Scurry and the need to recruit new board members. Finally, they scheduled a meeting with Lauren Connelly, the county's director of economic development, to discuss issues related to trail connections and vacant property recovery program.