ECSA Newsletter Summer 2023
Grant Updates
South Dakota Good and Healthy
Earlier this year, ECSA was awarded a grant for $1,910 through Live Well Black Hills to improve the ECSA You Are Here wayfinding sign project. The ECSA board is making headway on this project with an updated trail map and replacement and expansion of You Are Here maps at trailheads and network junctions. Funds will also assist with a new ECSA banner and grooming expenses associated with the Beginner Ski 2023-2024 events.
Recreational Trails Program
We expect to hear news any day regarding the status of our application for grooming equipment replacement submitted to the Recreational Trails Program grant (through SD Game, Fish and Parks). Keep your fingers crossed, and keep in mind that even if we are successful recipients of this RTP grant, ECSA will still be required to provide 20% ($1,726) of the grooming equipment expense ($8,630) to serve as matching support.
Replacement Snow Grooming Machine Fundraising
Fundraising Launch
Purchasing a snow grooming machine not manufactured in the United States does not qualify for federal grant funds. Since there are no US manufacturers building the type of machine required for ECSA grooming conditions, the financial burden to purchase a replacement machine to groom ECSA trails falls on the association.
So, we are launching the Replacement Snow Grooming Machine Fundraising campaign to raise funds to purchase a new machine for trail grooming. Noteworthy progress points in this effort include:
The ECSA Board has voted to allocate $5,000 of ECSA funds to the $18,000 snow grooming machine purchase expense and the matching funds for grooming equipment expense, anticipating RTP funding for the grooming equipment.
ECSA Board members have all contributed or pledged to contribute to the fund.
The family of Richard Fort, ECSA founder and developer of the trails, has generously donated select pieces of his artwork to advance the fundraising effort. These works will be posted soon on this website along with opportunities for procurement.
We Need Your Support!
Thank you to all of you who have contributed thus far! With donations of $1,203.48 and the $5000 allocation, we are one-third of the way to our goal, but we need your support to raise the remainder of funds needed to purchase the replacement snow machine.
Please contribute to this effort and heat up our fundraising thermometer!
Annual Meeting & Fundraising Event
Save the Date!
The ECSA Annual Meeting & Fundraising Event is scheduled for Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 4:00 pm, at Dakota Shivers Brewing located at 717 W Main Street in Lead. Please join us for no-host food, fine brew, live music, and opportunities to purchase Fort original artwork. Watch for more details to follow as plans are solidified.
Outdoor Campus Class
Intro to Cross Country Skiing
This course will be offered Wednesday, October 25, by the SD Game, Fish, and Parks Outdoor Campus and taught by ECSA members. Mark your calendar and spread the word to anyone who might be interested in learning how to cross country ski so they can experience the joy of winter at Eagle Cliff. Participants will learn about benefits of cross-country skiing and the gear and equipment used for this wintertime sport. Watch for more details and registration information coming soon.
Membership Privacy Update
The ECSA Board recently formalized a policy on the use of the ECSA membership email addresses to ensure that email distribution lists are not available to use for communication outside of the interest of the organization and its mission.
Open Board Meetings
Are you interested in attending meetings of the Eagle Cliff Ski Association Board of Directors? Please note that members are welcome to attend! Contact us and let us know of your interest, and we will notify you with meeting details .