May 16, 2025

Welcome to the Friday Waypoint where you'll find the latest updates about opportunities & activities with the Florida Trail Association.

Tisha McCombs brings a lifelong passion for public lands and an impressive track record of protecting, managing, and stewarding trail systems. Her leadership experience spans national parks, U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands, as well as state, county, and municipal holdings. Beyond land management, Tisha is deeply committed to public engagement—helping educate and inspire outdoor enthusiasts through her work as a speaker, podcast guest, and co-author of the official guidebook for The Colorado Trail. She has also shared her love for the outdoors through personal essays, blog posts, and contributions to newspapers and outdoor magazines.

Before joining FTA, Tisha served as Executive Director of The Colorado Trail Foundation, where she oversaw a 567-mile trail and a robust volunteer program contributing over 20,000 hours annually. Her impact included transforming CTF’s internal systems, diversifying and increasing funding streams, and revitalizing the volunteer base—bringing programs to full capacity with waiting lists.

Though she’s spent the last two decades out west, Tisha is originally from Savannah, Georgia, and says that coming to Gainesville feels like a return home. When she’s not leading in the office or on the trail, you’ll find her soaking in the sun with an iced coffee, hiking, paddling, fly fishing, or seeking the perfect bakery on her travels. Tisha is excited to explore Florida's trails and communities—so if you’ve got bakery tips or trail suggestions, don’t be shy! Please join us in giving her a warm welcome.

Have a stunning shot from the Florida Trail? We want to see it! We're now accepting submissions for the 2026 Florida Trail Calendar, and we’re looking for images that showcase the beauty and diversity of the trail—from sweeping landscapes and serene trail views to close-ups of native plants and wildlife encounters.

Selected photos will be featured in the printed calendar, with full credit to the photographer.

🗓️ Submission deadline: Friday, June 14, 2025

📍 Limit 5 high-resolution images per person

Help us celebrate the places and moments that make the Florida Trail unforgettable.

👉 Submit your photos here

You’re Invited! Trail Accessibility Event at Prairie Creek Lodge

Join us on Saturday, June 7th, from 8 AM to 12 PM for a morning of family-friendly fun and adventure! Hosted by the Florida Trail Association, Alachua Conservation Trust, and Sportsability Alliance, this event is part of @AmericanHiking’s #NationalTrailsDay—a nationwide celebration of trails and the people who love them!

Together, we’ll enjoy the outdoors and work to leave the trails and the outdoor community better than we found them.

What to Expect:

• Explore the trail using EcoRover and Joëlette accessibility devices
• Connect with organizations working to make the outdoors accessible to all

Details:

• Location: Prairie Creek Lodge, 7204 County Road 234, Gainesville, FL 32641
• Accessible restrooms are available at the lodge
• The area around the lodge is soft grass, and the road leading to the lodge is a dirt road (accessible by regular cars)

Hike Options:

• 0.6-mile loop with scenic views of wetlands and hammocks
• A shorter option around the native plant garden area

EcoRover and Joëlette devices will be available on a rolling basis, with 30-minute time slots and a 15-minute buffer between trips.

To Participate:

• Pre-register to secure your time slot and select your preferred hike option (we’ll do our best to accommodate everyone)
• Walk-ins are welcome if you don’t register in advance
• If you plan to use the EcoRover or Joëlette, please bring a family member or buddy to assist with transfers
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We look forward to seeing you for a fun, inclusive, and impactful day outdoors!

In addition to participating in this event, you can take the National Trails Day® pledge and be entered for a chance to win one of four outdoor gear prize packages. You can also find other National Trails Day events near you at bit.ly/trails-day.