Florida Trail Association
Central Florida Chapter
Embedded Files
Serving Orange, Seminole and Osceola Counties
Serving Orange, Seminole and Osceola Counties
The Central Florida Chapter of the Florida Trail Association was chartered in 1981 and is one of FTA’s largest chapters with more than 500 members. We maintain over 60 miles of the Florida National Scenic Trail, along with trails in Wekiwa Springs State Park, and Little Big Econ and Charles Bronson State Forests.
Our active members lead and participate in many hiking, biking, paddling, camping and trail maintenance activities. Each Thanksgiving we have a group camping event at a state park or forest and each New Years we “retreat” to the Ocala National Forest for a fun-filled camp out and celebration.
Featured Guest Speaker Kristin Anderson will present Protecting Wild Florida: A Look at Conservation Florida’s Impact.
Florida’s landscapes are changing fast—but so are the efforts to protect them.
Conservation Florida is a statewide land trust working to conserve critical lands that protect wildlife, water, and natural heritage from the Everglades to the Panhandle.
Programs & Community Engagement Lead Kristin Anderson will walk us through the story of Conservation Florida, their mission to preserve working lands and wild places, and the local impact of recent projects like the newly opened D Ranch Preserve. She’ll also share how hikers and volunteers can get involved with stewardship and restoration efforts across the state.
Bring a snack to share and join us for an evening of community, stories, and planning for the trail year ahead!
Opened to the public earlier this year, D Ranch Preserve protects 476 acres of land in the Lake Monroe floodplain. Acquired by Conservation Florida in 2019, this former working ranch boasts an impressive variety of habitats undergoing various stages of restoration.
Built with the help of volunteers, a network of well-marked trails crisscrosses the property, showcasing its natural beauty.
September 24th @ Little Big Econ State Forest
Join the FTA Central Florida Chapter for a trail work day in Little-Big Econ State Forest!
What to expect: We will use a combination of power equipment and hand tools to bring the trail back up to standard. We will: mow, lop (trim) branches, paint new blazes and at times, inspect or repair infrastructure.
We will meet at the trailhead at 8:45am for a safety session. Volunteers are then divided into crews. When appropriate, crews may need to carpool and drive one vehicle to a starting location. New volunteers will be provided an orientation on the role they are assigned to and all are encouraged to try new tasks!
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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