The FTA Welcomes Royce Gibson as the New Executive Director

Royce Gibson was recently selected as the Florida Trail Association’s (FTA) new executive director. Gibson began work this week leading the organization in its mission to build, maintain, protect, and promote the Florida National Scenic Trail (Florida Trail), along with a network of hiking trails throughout the state of Florida. David Waldrop, president of the FTA’s […]

October 2020 E-blaze

October 2020 The FTA Welcomes Royce Gibson as the new Executive Director Royce Gibson was recently selected as the Florida Trail Association’s (FTA) new executive director. Gibson began work this week leading the organization in its mission to build, maintain, protect, and promote the Florida National Scenic Trail (Florida Trail), along with a network of hiking […]

September 2020 E-blaze

September 2020 Byrd Hammock Archaeological Site National Historic Landmark Along the Florida Trail Potsherd from the Byrd Hammock site. Photo credit: National Park Service Panhandle Trail Program Manager, Adam Fryska, writes: Did you know that the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge contains one of the most important archaeological sites in the state? Just a couple […]

August 2020 E-blaze

August 2020 Big Bend Reroute Update USFS Staff, FTA Staff & Board Members scout Fenholloway River as a part of the Big Bend Reroute, 2017. We are thrilled to share an update on our progress closing one of the largest gaps in the Florida Trail– a 50-mile gap between Twin Rivers State Forest and the […]

July 2020 E-blaze

July 2020 Updated COVID-19 Operating Procedures 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 members, staff, volunteers, partners and the public safe. The FTA board has voted to approve updated […]

June 2020 E-blaze

June 2020 Our Ongoing COVID-19 Response This month, FTA and USFS staff have continued our diligent efforts toward creating new operating procedures for trail maintenance events in order to mitigate public health concerns amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It is our goal to give FTA chapters the option to resume volunteer projects as soon and […]

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 […]