FTA receives USDA Forest Service Regional Forester Awards

News Releases, Special Events, USFS

Atlanta, GA—At a special ceremony on November 14 at the Doubletree Inn in Atlanta, the Florida Trail Association accepted a prestigious group award for Volunteers from the USDA Forest Service Southeast Regional Forester, Chuck Myers.

Founding the 1,400-mile statewide Florida Trail in 1966, and working as the primary partner with the National Forests in Florida in the development, maintenance, and marketing of the Florida National Scenic Trail since 1983, the Florida Trail Association is a Gainesville, FL-based volunteer-driven organization representing more than 5,000 members statewide. Volunteer recruitment and retention is a key aspect of this nonprofit organization, as local volunteers build and maintain hiking trails throughout Florida, with a primary focus on the official statewide footpath, one of only eight National Scenic Trails in the United States and one of three overseen by the USDA Forest Service.

Nominated for successful programs that engage a broad audience of volunteers in trail work, including Student Conservation Association crews, Alternative Spring Break crews for college students, and the team-building F-Troop volunteer trail crews, the Florida Trail Association generated an increase in volunteerism from 56,000 hours in 2005 to 66,000 in 2006. Awardees included Florida National Scenic Trail Manager Michelle Mitchell and Executive Director Deborah Stewart-Kent for program oversight; Trail Crew Program Coordinator Bob Woods for logistics and implementation; and Communications Director Sandra Friend for marketing and promotion via new media such as blogs and YouTube. The awards were accepted on behalf of the volunteer effort which makes this massive ongoing contribution to Florida outdoor recreation possible.

FTA Staff @ November 15, 2007