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The Florida Trail Association is seeking a highly motivated and versatile individual for Trail Program Coordinator. This position coordinates all aspects for multiple trail crews including, but not limited to supervision, management, administration, planning and training, and technical oversight of volunteer trail crew-related trail construction projects. This position requires extended travel throughout Florida for long periods with numerous overnights in the field (at least 60% of the time). Independent backcountry travel is necessary at times.
For more information click here. Applications will be accepted through Wednesday August 24.
FTA Staff @ August 10, 2011
Job Posting, News Comments Off
The Florida Trail Association is pleased to announce we are accepting applications for two positions, FTA Volunteer Coordinator and Field Support Coordinator.
The Volunteer Coordinator will assist in building the Association’s capacity to recruit, mobilize, and retain volunteers throughout the state and in implementing trail projects and trainings for the Florida National Scenic Trail. This position requires travel throughout Florida with overnights in the field (10% of time). Click here for more details.
The Field Support Coordinator will assist the Director of Field Operations to complete trail maintenance and construction projects (80%), and coordinate volunteer activities (20%). This position also requires extended travel throughout Florida for long periods with numerous overnights in the field (at least 60% of the time). Click here for more details.
The deadline for submitting applications is August 14.
FTA Staff @ July 30, 2011
The Central Florida chapter, with help from other Florida Trail Association chapter members and a Student Conservation Association crew, constructed a beautiful new section of the Florida National Scenic Trail which passes through the Joshua Creek Track of Florida’s newest forest, Charles H. Bronson State Forest. Access points are available from the Seminole Ranch/Orlando Wetlands and Chuluota Wilderness Area. There is also access at the Phillips Road parking area through a short blue-blazed connector trail. Bridges were constructed over major creek crossings and some low water areas to make the trail a little friendlier. There is a white blazed trail which takes a dryer route, eventually connecting up with the FNST orange trail. There is also a 3.7 mile white blazed loop trail. The total length of the trail between Seminole Ranch Conservation Area and Chuluota Wilderness Area is about 8 miles, but you have to hike quite a distance into either of those areas to get to the Joshua Trail, so you might want to do your homework before attempting these trails, determining where you want to enter and exit them since the distances can add up. You will cross several marked roads, so you can exit at different places. Your GPS might be your best friend out there. These trails are a wonderful way to see the area; the creators and workers did a magnificent job!
By Tom Choma
Photo by Rob Smith
For more information about Charles H. Bronson State Forest visit these three sites My Florida and Other Outdoor Stuff by Tom Choma, Rob Smith, Jr. and Out in the Boonies
FTA Staff @ May 21, 2011
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On April 9th we were blessed with perfect spring weather and over 20 Choctawhatchee chapter volunteers for the E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center Open House. Led by Bob Deckert, FTA volunteers performed multiple duties but took primary responsibility for leading nature based interpretive hikes on the Center’s trails.
In the past, the Center has been closed to the public except for open house events. However, beginning in June it will be open for limited hours Friday-Sunday. It is a world class facility that offers interpretive exhibits, hands on contact with animals, ecosystem-based video presentations, as well as a nature trail system through areas undergoing restoration. It provides a nature oriented education learning facility to schools. On average, 140 students from five public school systems attend classes at the Center every school day. FTA has repeatedly provided volunteer labor for landscaping, development of the Center’s nature trail system and open houses.
Before ground was broken for building the Center, FTA and the U.S. Forest Service recognized they shared the Center’s goals of educating youth about the natural world and began a partnership with the Center and Nokuse Plantation to promote these values. The Center is located on the 49,000 acre Nokuse Plantation in south Walton County near Freeport. The Plantation’s long term goal is to restore the longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem. A significant part of this process has been the relocation of large numbers of gopher tortoises and the restoration of habitat for black bears. The only public access to the Nokuse Plantation is the 25-mile section of the Florida National Scenic Trail which traverses the Plantation between the Choctawhatchee River and Eglin Air Force Base.
By Tom Daniel
FTA Staff @ May 16, 2011