Florida Trail Association (FTA)
OUTREACH
Trail Towns — FTA added two new towns to its revitalized Gateway Community program and received a $25,000 grant to install dedicated kiosks in four Gateway Communities.
Programs — FTA hosted the Wild and Scenic Film Festival for 400 participants, raising $2,000.
Documentation — FTA published a Junior Explorer book in English and Spanish.
PROTECTION
Construction — FTA purchased an easement that reopened a 5-mile section of the trail, eliminating a 2.5-mile road walk. FTA leveraged new partnerships to complete a 5.3-mile reroute which removed 3.2 miles of road walk. More than 2,000 volunteer hours and an extensive collaboration between FTA, USFS, and several other community partners were dedicated to the construction of the 70-foot Alaqua “Demon” Bridge, the trail’s newest and longest suspension bridge, in Eglin, FL.
Maintenance — FTA involved 13 partner groups in trail maintenance.
CAPACITY
Trainings — FTA held its annual Trail Skills Training for 65 participants.
Staffing — FTA’s Board of Directors hired a firm to aid in the hiring of an Executive Director.
Membership — FTA conducted two membership drives with raffling gear donated by corporate sponsors.
Strategic Plan — USFS reached its five year (2018-2023) strategic plan goal of adding 50 miles to the Florida Trail three years early (nearly six miles were added in 2019).