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The Florida Trail Association develops, maintains, protects, and promotes a network of hiking trails throughout the state, including the unique Florida National Scenic Trail.
Together with our partners we provide opportunities for the public to hike, engage in outdoor recreation, participate in environmental education, and contribute to meaningful volunteer work.
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The heat is on! With the first day of summer approaching next week, humidity has increased along with climbing temperatures. Anyone who has been outside the past few days has probably noticed that our dry season has come to an end with the return of daily thunderstorms and abundant rain. We don't typically have as many activities during the summer, although we will continue short hikes for our Hike of the Month. Stay tuned to Meetup for other events such as paddling and bicycling.
While long distance hiking isn't recommended in the Sunshine State this time of year, short hikes are still possible and well worth the time. Aside from the obvious (plenty of water, sun protection), a little bit of planning can make summer hiking enjoyable. Aim to start out as early as possible, and finish up the hike before noon at the latest to avoid thunderstorms and the hottest part of the day. One benefit of hiking this time of year - the native butterfly orchid is in bloom right now. This colorful epyphite can be found clinging to trees in shady oak and palm hammocks.
Stay cool and happy hiking!
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Summer Leadership Updates
Summer is here, and we’re excited to announce some changes in our leadership team following the recent elections at our Wekiva Springs meeting.
Leadership Updates:
New Leadership Roles
Chelsey Stevens – Chapter Chair
FTA member for 7 years
Chris Stevens – Media Coordinator
FTA member for 7 years
Bill Turman – Activity Coordinator and Past President
FTA member for 33 years
Continuing Leadership Positions
Jerry Rogers – Trail Coordinator
FTA member for 7 years
Kelley Galvin – Treasurer
FTA member for 5 years
Steve Griger – Membership Coordinator
FTA member for 5 years
Doug Kucklick – Outreach Coordinator
FTA member for 16 years
Pam Hoepner – Secretary
FTA member for 4 years
David Magness – Program Coordinator
FTA member for 5 years
Our Dedicated Hospitality Team:
Jean Williams – Hospitality
FTA member for 26 years
Ruth (Rue) Nilson – Hospitality Assistant
FTA member for 14 years
We also have an open position for Historian and welcome anyone interested to reach out.
Join Our Committees!
Are you interested in becoming more involved but aren't quite ready for a leadership position? We are forming committees to assist each leadership role and are looking for passionate volunteers. For now, we are focusing on the following committees, but this will expand to other leadership roles in the future:
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Media Committee: Help with social media, share photos, write articles, or coordinate others to write.
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Outreach Committee: Assist with setting up and manning tables at outreach events.
If you’re interested in joining a committee, please reach out to us!
We hope everyone stays cool and safe from the heat this summer. Thank you for getting to know your leadership team better, and have a fantastic season!
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Magness family at Mills Creek Woodlands | |
As we take a summer break, we’re excited to preview the engaging and informative sessions we have lined up for the upcoming months. Mark your calendars and get ready for an array of enriching presentations from distinguished experts in their fields.
August 22: Valerie Anderson
Join us for an inspiring evening with Valerie Anderson, a passionate advocate for environmental conservation and sustainability. Valerie is the Director of Communications and Programming for the Florida Native Plant Society and runs a GIS consulting business. She also serves as Chair of the Osceola Soil and Water Conservation District and President of Friends of Split Oak Forest. With an impressive academic background and extensive experience, Valerie will share her insights on preserving Florida's unique native plant species and more.
September 19: Stephen Stipkovits - Florida Forest Service
Stephen Stipkovits, a seasoned Forester with the Florida Forest Service, will be our speaker in September. Stephen has played a key role in developing resource management plans, implementing prescribed burns, and leading invasive species control programs. His extensive knowledge in forest management and conservation will provide valuable insights into the complexities of maintaining and protecting our state forests.
October 17: Chris Stevens - FarOut Trail Guides
In October, we will hear from our very own Chris Stevens, who will discuss his work with the Far Out Guides app, particularly focusing on the Florida Trail segment. Chris is responsible for the updates and improvements to the app, making it an essential tool for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Learn more about how this innovative app enhances the hiking experience by providing up-to-date information and resources.
If you have a special interest you would like to share or suggestions for future speakers, please feel free to click here to Submit Monthly Chapter Presentation ideas!
Meeting Schedule and Details
Third Thursday of every month from August to May
Location: Leu Gardens - Magnolia Room
6:30pm-7:00pm: Social time
7:00pm: Presentation begins
Guests are invited to bring a snack to share before the start of the meeting. We will also be having a 1/2 back raffle where you can purchase one ticket for $1 or six tickets for $5. The winner will receive 1/2 the pot!
The raffle will conclude at the end of our meeting.
We look forward to seeing you at these upcoming meetings. Enjoy your summer, and get ready for a fall season filled with knowledge and inspiration!
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Activities
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Trail Maintenance
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Discovering exciting events has never been easier! Our engaging activities and Trail Maintenance events are posted and shared exclusively on Meetup.
Due to their overwhelming popularity, spots fill up swiftly. To ensure you never miss out on the latest updates and happenings, we kindly request all members to join our Meetup community. Stay informed and be part of the fun!
Please note that Trail Maintenance events will be taking a hiatus over the summer months to avoid heat related illnesses and will resume as temperatures cool.
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New Sign Installation Marks the Way to
Charles H. Bronson State Forest
Navigating to the Charles H. Bronson State Forest has always been a challenge, even for frequent visitors. The turn onto Philips Road leading to the Joshua Creek Trailhead is easy to miss. But thanks to the hard work and dedication of several individuals, a new sign has been installed to help guide the way.
The Charles H. Bronson State Forest, established on July 1, 2008, spans approximately 11,246 acres and is located about 40 minutes east of Orlando, near the towns of Chuluota and Christmas, Florida. This forest is named after Charles H. Bronson, the ninth Commissioner for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. It is a vital area for outdoor recreation, wildlife conservation, and sustainable forest management.
The forest's most notable feature is the St. Johns River, which forms part of its eastern boundary. The forest also supports a diverse array of wildlife and offers various recreational activities such as hiking, horseback riding, and fishing.
The new sign, located on Fort Christmas Road, is a significant addition, ensuring that visitors can easily find their way to the forest's trailhead. This installation addresses a long-standing issue, as the turn to the forest was often missed, even by those familiar with the area.
The Central Florida Chapter of the Florida Trail Association extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to this project. The new sign is a testament to the dedication and cooperation of multiple organizations and individuals working together to improve access to our natural treasures.
We are excited to announce that tentative dates for the sign reveal at the Charles H. Bronson State Forest are being finalized. We will share the official dates once they are confirmed, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to join us in celebrating this much-needed addition. Stay tuned for updates and make sure to mark your calendars when the dates are announced!
For more information about the Charles H. Bronson State Forest and its recreational opportunities, visit the Charles H. Bronson State Forest webpage.
Explore the forest, enjoy the scenic trails, and experience the beauty of Florida's natural landscapes with ease, thanks to the new sign guiding your way.
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Highlighted Hike of the Month! | |
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Explore the Orlando Wetlands!
Join the Central Florida Chapter of the Florida Trail Association for an exciting hike through the Orlando Wetlands, a unique man-made wetland designed to provide advanced treatment for reclaimed water from the City of Orlando and surrounding areas. Spanning 1650 acres in Christmas, Florida, the Orlando Wetlands offers a variety of primitive and passive activities such as photography, wildlife viewing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and guided tours.
This month's hike covers approximately 2-2.5 miles round trip, starting under the pavilion near the restrooms. We'll explore the canopy, hoping to spot beautiful epiphytes like the giant air plant, shoestring fern, and butterfly orchids. Keep an eye out for large alligators and numerous bird species along the way!
For full hike details and what to bring, please visit our Meetup page.
Location: Orlando Wetlands, 25155 Wheeler Rd, Christmas, FL 32709
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure in the Orlando Wetlands!
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Savage Christmas Creek Preserve
Protecting more than a thousand acres, Savage Christmas Creek Preserve east of Orlando has more than 8 miles of trails through panoramic prairie and pine flatwoods landscapes
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Are you passionate about making a positive impact in your community? Do you enjoy engaging in outreach activities that promote environmental awareness and sustainability? If so, we invite you to join our team of dedicated volunteers for upcoming Outreach events this spring!
Here are some exciting opportunities to get involved:
🌿 Volunteers Needed for Backyard Biodiversity Day!
Join us for Backyard Biodiversity Day, a fantastic celebration of Florida's unique flora and fauna, presented by the Florida Native Plant Society. Taking place on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park, FL, this family-friendly event promises a day filled with informative presentations, interpretive hikes, native plant sales, kids' activities, and more!
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Sign Up for Our Volunteer List!
If you're interested in participating and receiving updates about future Outreach events, please forward your name and email address to
Rue Nilson at rumagoo@embarqmail.com and Doug Kucklick at dkucklick@cfl.rr.com
Let's come together to create meaningful change and build a brighter, more sustainable future for all!
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Outdoor Summer Recreating Tips
As summer heats up, so does the desire to enjoy the great outdoors. However, with increased crowds flocking to natural areas, navigating outdoor activities requires some strategic planning. Join the Madcaps this week as they share their tips for making the most of Florida's outdoor spaces during peak season.
Meet the hosts of the Florida Madcaps: Our very own Chris & Chelsey Stevens, along with Ryan Worthington, members of the Florida National Scenic Trail Board of Directors. Together, they provide valuable perspectives on outdoor recreation in the Sunshine State.
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10% off all regularly priced clothing, footwear, and gear
Offer limited & some exclusions apply
Travel Country Outfitters supports Florida Trail Members Simply show proof of membership at the register
www.travelcountry.com 407-831-0777
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