May 2020 E-blaze

May 2020 Protecting More Than Trails As the COVID-19 pandemic has progressed, the FTA board, staff, and our U.S. Forest Service partners have been closely monitoring conditions in Florida, and working together to provide operating procedures that keep our communities safe. Recommendations to hikers: As always, only hike sections of the trail that are open […]

April 2020 E-blaze

April 2020 The FTA’s Ongoing COVID-19 Precautions In response to Governor Ron DeSantis’s recent Executive Order, we continue to urge you to please stay off the Florida Trail during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many sections and facilities along the trail remain closed. Traveling out of town to access the FT also puts the health and safety of our […]

COVID-19 Prevention

In response to the Stay at Home order Governor Ron DeSantis announced yesterday afternoon, we urge you to please stay off the Florida Trail during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many sections and facilities along the trail are closed and more are continuing to close each day. Traveling out of town to access the FT also puts […]

March 2020 E-blaze

March 2020 FTA’s Response to the COVID-19 Outbreak After monitoring widespread and rapidly changing closures across the Florida Trail, the FTA is strongly recommending that the public cease backpacking on the Florida Trail, including section hiking and thru-hiking. In addition to trail and campsite closures, many local businesses typically used for resupply points are closed. The FTA […]

Florida Trail Virtual Puzzles

Take a journey through the FT landscape wherever you may be Each Friday from now throughout this spring, we’ll be sharing five new virtual Florida Trail puzzles for you to solve and enjoy from home. Get lost in the landscape with us! These puzzles can be solved via a computer, tablet or phone, although the […]

February 2020 E-blaze

  February 2020 Trail Recovery & Regeneration The FT in Econfina is Accessible Again Panhandle Trail Program Manager, Adam Fryska, writes: The FTA is happy to announce that the Econfina Section has been re-opened following the catastrophic damage sustained during Hurricane Michael. This was a monumental effort, requiring 4 major staff-supported Volunteer Work parties, 2 […]

January 2020 E-blaze

January 2020 Introducing the FTA’s New Central/South Florida Trail Program Manager Welcome to the team, Jenna! We are thrilled to share that Jenna Taylor has joined the FTA team as the new Central/South Florida Trail Program Manager. This position became available after the previous manager, Kelly Wiener, stepped into FTA’s Trail Program Director role this […]

Trekking Onward into 2020

January 2020 Looking Back on 2019 & Trekking Onward into 2020 The Florida Trail Association’s mission to build, maintain, protect and promote our unique Florida National Scenic Trail along with a network of hiking trails throughout the state would not be possible without the collaborative effort of the US Forest Service, our volunteers and partner […]

November 2019 E-blaze

November 2019 Seminole State Forest Ribbon Cutting On November 2nd, about 70 participants met at the Cassia Trailhead in Eustis, FL and joined us in celebrating the completion of a 5.3-mile reroute through Seminole State Forest. This new section removes 3.2 miles of paved road walk along busy SR 44 and roads in the Royal […]

October 2019 E-blaze

October 2019 Recovering the FT in Econfina Panhandle Trail Program Manager, Adam Fryska, writes: As our membership is no doubt aware, the Florida Trail in the Panhandle Region suffered a devastating blow from Hurricane Michael. With the one-year anniversary of the storm’s landfall now behind us, the volunteers of the Panhandle Chapter continue to work […]