Trail Maintainer Roles

The Section Leader performs the following activities. 

• Develop and maintain the section of the Florida National Scenic Trail, a.k.a Florida Trail, and/or other trails assigned by the Chapter Trail Coordinator.  

• Coordinate trail maintenance and trail changes with the Chapter Trail Coordinator, the appropriate FTA regional representative and the land managers and owners for the properties through which the trails run. 

• Work with the Chapter Trail Coordinator to recruit and assign Trailmasters to be responsible for maintaining segments of the trails for your trail section. 

• Learn and maintain the basic skill sets for FTA Trail Crew Leader and the FNST standards described in the FTA Trail Manual and on the FTA website. 

• Train Trailmasters according to the FNST standards used to maintain the trails. 

• Directly communicate with Trailmasters and land managers, land owners and the public on the status and needs of the trail segments. 

• Ensure that the trail section is inspected twice a year. 

• Prepare Notices to Hikers and map changes used by the FTA office to update the FTA website and maps and databooks available on it. 

• Submit and maintain a volunteer profile on the FTA Volunteer Hours Entry System. 

• Report personal volunteer hours and volunteers hours of members of your section's work crew.

• Maintain supplies and equipment necessary for trail maintenance.

NOTE: The Section Leader duties above are derived from the FTA Trail Manual.

The Trailmaster performs the following activities.

• Maintain a segment of the FNST and/or other trails designated by the Section Leader.

• Inspect the assigned trail segment twice a year.

• Report personal volunteer hours to the Section Leader.

NOTE: The Trailmaster role was removed from the FTA Trail Manual in 2024. It is retained here for training use by the FTA Suncoast Chapter.