Suncoast Chapter Receives Awards for Members’ Volunteer Service in the Withlacoochee State Forest

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New Port Richey, Fl (April 16, 2008) – The Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Trail Association (FTA) and several of its members have been honored with awards from the Florida Division of Forestry for outstanding volunteer service to the Withlacoochee State Forest (WSF). The awards were recently presented to Chapter members by the forest management team as part of WSF’s Volunteer Appreciation Day. The event was held at Tillis Hill Campground in the Citrus Tract of the Forest.

The awards are given by the State Forest for hours logged by a group and its members for volunteer services that assist in maintaining and helping to protect Forest resources. Awards bestowed at this year’s event included:

• Volunteer Group of the Year, presented to the FTA Suncoast Chapter for outstanding service performed by Chapter members.

• 10,000 or More Hours of Service, presented to the Suncoast Chapter for 32,000 hours of service performed within the Forest. The awards are based on hours of cumulative service and are presented at certain levels of achievement, e.g., 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 hours or more. This marks the third occasion on which the Suncoast Chapter has received a 10,000 hour award.

• The Woody Woodpecker Ecology Award, presented to the Suncoast Chapter for its environmental sensitivity in keeping trails neat, clean and well maintained, well blazed for hikers and campers, and prompt removal of blown down trees, branches or obstructions.

Presenting the awards were Winnie Schreiber, Withlacoochee Forest Manager, Vince Morris, Ecology Unit Leader and Cynthia “Sid” Taylor, Resident Park Ranger at the Tillis Hill Campground / Citrus Tract. Charles Edwards and Neil Fox, Suncoast Chapter members, accepted the awards for the Suncoast Chapter. Also honored at the meeting was Steve Nemeth, a member of the Highlands Chapter of the FTA, which serves Lake and Sumter Counties. Nemeth received a volunteer service award for 1,000 hours of service, which Edwards accepted on his behalf.
Below:

Withlacoochee State Forest Ecology Unit Leader Vince Morris (right) presents the Woody Woodpecker Ecology Award to Neil Fox (left) and Charles Edwards (center) on behalf of the Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Trail Association.  The award was given to the Suncoast Chapter for its members’ continuing environmental sensitivity and compliance.

About the Suncoast Chapter and the DOF:
The Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Trail Association serves a seven county area in west central and southwest Florida, which includes Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties. With more than 700 members, it is the FTA’s largest chapter. The Suncoast Chapter regularly maintains over 200 miles of Florida trail and hosts numerous recreational events throughout the year.

The Florida Division of Forestry has guided the operation of state forests for more than 70 years. It is their primary mission, while managing the land, to protect and maintain the biological diversity of the many ecosystems found in and around the state forests while integrating public use of the resources. Through sound forest management practices, the Division of Forestry is able to maintain the integrity of the forest environment while providing for the state’s future natural resource needs. The Withlacoochee State Forest is currently the third largest state forest in Florida. WSF is located in west central Florida with headquarters located north of Brooksville.

Contact:
Bonnie Bratby-Carey
Public Relations – Suncoast Chapter / Florida Trail Association
Telephone: 813-249-3425
E-Mail: mbratbycarey@pcomsys.com
 

FTA Staff @ April 18, 2008