2024 ANNUAL REPORT  

EXECUTIVE

SUMMARY

In 2024, IMPACT: Friends Improving Allegany County Trails (IMPACT) achieved significant gains in trails maintenance and improvement, in Board and membership development, and in outreach and communications— in alignment with our Master Plan (West Almond Trail System Master Plan).

There were over 300 volunteer hours dedicated to fulfilling our stewardship agreement to the DEC trails of West Almond and maintaining them for each season’s use. Three maintenance days took place plus the efforts of a volunteer winter trail grooming crew.

IMPACT also hosted several well-attended events throughout the year. Events included guided hikes: the ‘First Day Hike’ and two ‘Twilight’ hikes, the annual members’ meeting and picnic, and a daylong Board of Directors retreat.

Our Parks and Trail New York (PTNY) 2023 ROUND 1 Capacity and Organizational Effectiveness Grant application was denied, but more grants are being pursued including a Trail 3 improvement proposal with PTNY. The Bethesda Foundation of Hornell generously provided a matching grant of $6000 to accompany the application.

(NOTE: IMPACT’s grant application was approved in early 2025, with construction to begin in July!)

There were 28 new or renewed memberships and 14 additional donations for $1,162 added to unencumbered funds. Operational costs in 2024 totaled $2,222. Along wit planning for 2025 events, the Board renewed its efforts to reach out to members past and present, develop fundraising strategies, and solicit support locally.