February 23, 2023
Welcome to the Friday Waypoint where you'll find the latest updates about opportunities & activities with the Florida Trail Association.
O2O Expedition Kickoff & Gateway Community Celebration
Outreach and Communications Manager Jane Pollack, US Forest Service Administrator Shawn Thomas, Executive Director Royce Gibson, Palatka Mayor Robbi Correa, and Gateway Communities Coordinator Hailey Dansby celebrate Palatka's Gateway Community designation. Photo courtesy of Hattie Spring. 
Last Sunday we celebrated Palatka’s designation as a Florida Trail Gateway Community at the beautiful Ravine Gardens State Park. The event also kicked off the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation’s O2O: Operation Connect, Protect and Restore Expedition, as three trekkers set off to hike, bike and paddle through the O2O corridor. We are excited to partner with the Florida Wildlife Corridor on this amazing Expedition.

We were honored to have Mayor Robbi Correa of Palatka join in the celebration and join US Forest Service Florida Trail Administrator Shawn Thomas in the designation ribbon cutting. The city of Palatka is an exemplary hub trail in Northeast Florida that plays a key role in supporting the hiking experience on the Florida Trail. We look forward to further developing our partnership with the community!
Please take part in helping us recognize those who have played a vital role in supporting and furthering the mission of the FTA.

Nominations are open. All nominations must be submitted by 5PM EST, Friday, March 3th, 2023.

The Nominations by Awards Committee will review and evaluate the submissions March 6th -10th, 2023. Award Winners will be announced at the FTA Annual Meeting on April 1, 2023.

Full descriptions of the awards and the awards nomination process can be found on our website: floridatrail.org/volunteer-awards/
2023 Board of Directors Election
The Florida Trail Association is proud to announce the presentation of a talented group of
individuals as potential additions to our board of directors. These individuals have been
carefully selected to bring a wider range of local and regional representation, as well as a
diverse set of professional experiences to our organization.
We are confident that the addition of these individuals to our board will provide the Florida
Trail Association with the necessary skills and insights to face any challenges that come our
way. Their unique perspectives and creative problem-solving abilities will be invaluable as we
continue to grow our trail program and make a positive impact on the communities we serve.

Next week, current FTA members will receive a link to cast an electronic ballot. Please make sure to check your email since there will not be a paper ballot. In the meantime, please review the 2023 candidates on our website: https://floridatrail.org/candidates/
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