Thank you Student Conservation Association for a successful season on the Florida Trail! |
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For the past several months, a four-person team from the Student Conservation Association has been assisting Florida Trail Association (FTA) staff and volunteers with trail work throughout the Panhandle. The crew completed trail maintenance and infrastructure projects at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Aucilla Wildlife Management Area, Bradwell Bay Wilderness, and Econfina Water Management Area. In total they maintained about 50 miles of trail (including 4 miles of new trail construction), built or repaired 12 structures, and removed well over 150 blowdowns. Their efforts helped us to prepare for the incredibly successful IDIDAHIKE event at St. Marks, catch-up on pressing infrastructure needs, and address lingering storm impacts from Hurricane Michael. |
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Our partnership with SCA is just one example of how FTA is helping to develop and support the next generation of trail advocates and conservationists. Thanks again to the SCA crew for all their hard work, and we wish you all the best on your future endeavors! |
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"The mission of SCA is to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of our environment and communities by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land. In every SCA experience, participants complete projects that solve real conservation challenges and see the tangible results of their labor. Through this work they learn how to conserve resources and protect the planet, learn why their conservation work projects are critical to that effort, and discuss with teammates and leaders what they could do to address environmental issues after SCA; including exploring possible careers in conservation or green jobs and discussing their academic and career goals. SCA experiences provide participants with opportunities to lead their peers, engage in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and group decision-making, and ultimately reflect on the ways the experience is impacting them."
-Caitlin Exum, Crew Leader
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“My favorite project was the high water re-routes made at Rattlesnake Lake in the Econfina Water Management Area. Given the rapid changes of our global climate and rising water levels, a large portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail will soon be underwater in a matter of years. In order to mitigate these effects, we used a variety of equipment (chainsaws, lawn mowers, hedgers, etc.) to re-route the existing trail into higher, dryer land. Many of the projects we worked on were rewarding, but the gratification I received from being able to decide the most sensible location for a trail, and seeing its creation from start to finish, was unlike any other.”
-Stephen Dierkes, Crew Member
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FTA is Hiring a Next Generation Coalition Leadership Intern |
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The Florida Trail Association’s newly formed Next Generation Coalition is a group of young leaders dedicated to welcoming, training, and supporting the next generation of hikers and trail volunteers.
The Next Generation Coalition Leadership Intern position will focus on creating strategic goals and a governance structure for the group, as well as serve as a primary liaison between the Coalition and the FTA staff.
Interested applicants should read the full description at floridatrail.org/job-opportunities
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FTA Staff had a blast celebrating the Grand Opening of the new REI store in Palm Beach Gardens!
At the event, REI presented the Florida Trail Association with generous grant of $11,000! Thank you REI for your generous support in stewarding trails and connecting people to the outdoors.
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Celebrate National Trails Day! |
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Celebrate #NationalTrailsDay on June 4th with American Hiking Society!
On this day, thousands of hikers, bikers, rowers, horseback riders, trail clubs, federal and local agencies, land trusts, and businesses come together in partnership to advocate for, maintain, and clean up public lands and trails.
To celebrate on the Florida Trail and around the state, search for an event near you.
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FTA Joins the Celebration at Appalachian Trail Days Festival in Damascus, VA |
The Florida Trail Association was proud to participate in the iconic Appalachian Trail Days Festival for the first time ever!
Our booth saw tons of traffic as we spoke with hikers and future volunteers, and made connections with fellow trail organizations.
The event was a huge success. Thank you Trail Town USA for your hospitality!
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