SPRING 2015 CHAPTER OFFICERS CHAIR Howard Pardue (850) 386-1494 [email protected]TREASURER Elizabeth Slack (850) 320-2760 [email protected]MEMBERSHIP Lori Gilbertson (850) 420-0132 [email protected]TRAILS COORDINATOR Richard Graham (850) 878-3616 [email protected]ACTIVITIES Dawn Griffin (850) 509-6103 [email protected]PROGRAMS Liz Sparks (850) 570-5950 [email protected]PUBLICITY/WEBSITE Linda Patton (850) 668-4334 [email protected]NEWSLETTER - VACANT (Linda Patton - Interim Editor) SECTION LEADERS ANF West: Al Ingle (850) 509-1162 ANF East: Richard Graham (850) 878-3616 St. Marks: Dale Allen (850) 656-8050 Aucilla: - VACANT Ft. Braden: Howard Pardue (850) 386-1494 Phipps Park: Dawn Brown (850) 668-0091 Torreya: Jerry Herting (850) 878-3426 MEETING PROGRAMS April 14 Why That Beautiful Plant is not Your Friend--Managing Invasive Plants. Join Linda King, FWC Upland Invasive Plant Project Manager, as she shares the big picture on how Florida tries to tackle an onslaught of unwelcome plant species. Learn to identify the bad guys and how you can help locally. May 12 Project Remote. The remoteness of the natural landscape is still continually diminishing despite America’s best efforts to preserve its public wildlands. The U.S. road network fills the national landscape so fully, that it is no longer possible to be more than 5 miles from a road within the vast majority of the conterminous 48 United States. Opportunities for hu- mans to “get away from it all” are all but gone outside Alaska. Ryan Means is a conservation ecologist, naturalist, and outdoor explorer. Join us to hear his exciting approach to preserving remote and roadless areas, and learn more about the problem and solutions for preserving America’s famed re- moteness. June 9 Bear Aware Program. The state’s largest land mammal has come back from just several hundred bears in the 1970s to more than 3,000 today. For many people, seeing a black bear is a thrilling, rewarding experi- ence. Sarah Barrett from FWC’s Bear Aware Program will share valuable tips and information to keep your bear interactions positive when hiking through Florida’s wild lands. She will share technical advice to residents to help them take actions that will discourage bears from becoming a problem on their property. Learn how to react if encountering a bear during your out- door adventures, and keep your encounters on the safe side. NEW and RETURNING MEMBERS November 2014-January 2015 Jon Anderson, Colleen Castille, Dianne Chosen, Mary Ellen Clark, Angela Dial, Steve Eswine, Grayal Farr, Michael Ganey, Michelle Manzer, Henree Martin, Jim Martin, Laura Newton, Deb Parrish, J. P. Rinehart, Michael Sheridan, Carol Spring, Harry Spring, Evan Turkle, Morton Winsberg AS OF 2/2/15: 261 memberships / 344 members CONTENTS 1........Programs / People 2-4.....April-June 2015 Activities 4-5.....Articles From the Chair Go Green and Save YOU are Needed! The Ten Essentials Chapter Council Highlights 6........FTA Membership Form
ANF West: Al Ingle (850) 509-1162 ANF East: Richard Graham (850) 878-3616 St. Marks: Dale Allen (850) 656-8050 Aucilla: - VACANT Ft. Braden: Howard Pardue (850) 386-1494 Phipps Park: Dawn Brown (850) 668-0091 Torreya: Jerry Herting (850) 878-3426
MEETING PROGRAMS
April 14 Why That Beautiful Plant is not Your Friend--Managing Invasive Plants. Join Linda King, FWC Upland Invasive Plant Project Manager, as she shares the big picture on how Florida tries to tackle an onslaught of unwelcome plant species. Learn to identify the bad guys and how you can help locally.
May 12 Project Remote. The remoteness of the natural landscape is still continually diminishing despite America’s best efforts to preserve its public wildlands. The U.S. road network fills the national landscape so fully, that it is no longer possible to be more than 5 miles from a road within the vast majority of the conterminous 48 United States. Opportunities for hu-mans to “get away from it all” are all but gone outside Alaska. Ryan Means is a conservation ecologist, naturalist, and outdoor explorer. Join us to hear his exciting approach to preserving remote and roadless areas, and learn more about the problem and solutions for preserving America’s famed re-moteness.
June 9 Bear Aware Program. The state’s largest land mammal has come back from just several hundred bears in the 1970s to more than 3,000 today. For many people, seeing a black bear is a thrilling, rewarding experi-ence. Sarah Barrett from FWC’s Bear Aware Program will share valuable tips and information to keep your bear interactions positive when hiking through Florida’s wild lands. She will share technical advice to residents to help them take actions that will discourage bears from becoming a problem on their property. Learn how to react if encountering a bear during your out-door adventures, and keep your encounters on the safe side.
NEW and RETURNING MEMBERS
November 2014-January 2015
Jon Anderson, Colleen Castille, Dianne Chosen, Mary Ellen Clark, Angela Dial, Steve Eswine, Grayal Farr, Michael Ganey, Michelle Manzer, Henree Martin, Jim Martin, Laura Newton, Deb Parrish, J. P. Rinehart, Michael Sheridan, Carol Spring, Harry Spring, Evan Turkle, Morton Winsberg AS OF 2/2/15: 261 memberships / 344 members
CONTENTS
1........Programs / People
2-4.....April-June 2015 Activities
4-5.....Articles From the Chair Go Green and Save YOU are Needed! The Ten Essentials Chapter Council Highlights
6........FTA Membership Form
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PLEASE NOTE: The Florida National Scenic Trail and other forest trails are part of the natural environment. Rough, une-ven, and/or slippery surfaces, protruding roots, encroaching vegetation, fallen branches, mud and water, insects and other wildlife, irritating plants and other hazards may be present. Wear boots and use caution. If you question whether a hike is within your ability, contact the Activity Leader. For more information go to www.apalachee.floridatrail.org and click on “Guidelines for Activity Participants.”
ACTIVITY LEADERS
Dale Allen Gwen Beatty Karen Berkley Cathy Briggs Louis Brooks Dawn Brown Ray Cade Bob Daniels Wendy Dial
Lori Gilbertson Richard Graham Dawn Griffin Barry Haber Jerry Herting Al Ingle Melanie Knapp John Laney Howard Pardue
Holly Parker Linda Patton Adrienne Ruhl Gary Sisco Ronny Traylor Mike Tucker Carol Watkins George Weaver Kent Wimmer
Mar. 12 Thur.—Mar. 15 Sun. P/S Florida National Scenic Trail Volunteer Work Party in Bradwell Bay East. See http://www.floridatrail.org/bradwellbayevwp for more details. Registra-tion required: contact Megan Donoghue at mdonoghue@ floridatrail.org or 941-408-3098
Mar. 15 Sun. P/M Tates Hell Hike. 4-mi. interpretive hike. Contact Lori Gilbertson (850) 420-0132 fta_trails4u.lori@ aol.com or Al Ingle (850) 509-1162 [email protected] or Carol Watkins (313) 319-9463 [email protected]
Mar. 19 Thur.—Mar. 22 Sun. P/S Florida National Scenic Trail Volunteer Work Pary in Bradwell Bay West. See http://www.floridatrail.org/bradwellbaywvwp for more details. Registra-tion required: contact Megan Donoghue at mdonoghue@ floridatrail.org or 941-408-3098
Mar. 21 Sat. P/M Hike, Seek & Destroy Invasive Plants. Contact Karen Berkley (850) 570-5740 (text OK) kjberk-ley@gmail. com or Susan Tanski (850) 891-5314
Mar. 26 Thur.—Mar. 29 Sun. P/S Florida National Scenic Trail Volunteer Work Party in the Apalachicola National Forest. See http://www.floridatrail.org/apalachicolavwp for more details. Registration required: contact Megan Donoghue at [email protected]
Mar. 28 Sat. P/M Sopchoppy Hike and Plant ID. LIMIT 20 PEOPLE. Contact George Weaver (850) 510-3288 weaver@ psy.fsu.edu or Melanie Knapp (850) 339-8830 mermelly22@ hotmail.com
Mar. 29 Sun. P/M Wacissa River Paddle, Jefferson County. Bring your own boat and wear a pdf. No dogs please. Contact Gwen Beatty (850) 539-6027 gfbeatty@yahoo. com or Gary Sisco (850) 545-4776 [email protected]
Apr. 1, 8, 22, 29; May 13, 20, 27; June 3, 10, 17 Wed. P/S Brisk Walks. Join us for a 4-mile walk to burn calories, de-stress and socialize. We will leave from the restroom area at Lafayette Heritage Trail Park, 4900 Heritage Park Blvd., which is off Conner Blvd. We will take different routes to Tom Brown Park, or go over the pedestrian Bridge to J.R. Alford Green-way, or up and down the fishing fingers, or take a new route around the sparkling lake. Bring water and wear comforta-ble shoes! Be ready to walk at 5:30 p.m. RSPV at http://www.meetup.com/ Apalachee-Florida-Trail-Hiking/ or contact Wendy Dial at [email protected] (941) 320-8470 clearly stating your name and phone number so we can contact you about last-minute changes.
Apr. 6, 13, 20, 27; May 4, 11, 18; June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Mon. P/S Brisk Walks. This is our 4th year! Meet at the Thornton trailhead to walk along the Miccosukee Greenway with others who want to exercise, eliminate stress and meet interesting peo-ple! Be ready to hike at 5:30 p.m. sharp. Come hydrated and also bring water, dress in layers. We will attempt to maintain a 3.2-3.5 mph pace, nonstop. Hikes are 4 - 8 miles. You can go as far and as fast as you want. RSPV at http://www.meetup.com/Apalachee-Florida-Trail-Hiking/ to receive last minute changes. Contact Dawn Griffin (850) 509-6103 [email protected]
Apr. 9 Thu. - Apr 12 Sun. P/L FLORIDA TRAIL ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE. Life Enrichment Center, 4991 Pic-ciola Road, Fruitland Park, FL. Celebrate another year dedicated to building and maintaining the Florida Trail. The venue features motel-style lodgings, tent and and RV sites, buffet-style dining room, auditorium and classrooms, wi-fi in most locations. There will be workshops and speakers, live and silent auctions, raffle, campfires, awards, election of officers, and guided/self-guided hikes. Schedule, registration, and other information at www.floridatrail.org/2015-annual-conference
Apr. 12 Sun. P/L Econfina Creek Canoe & Kayak Paddle (Bay County). Paddle 5 miles on the beautiful spring-fed Econfina Creek considered one of Florida’s most beautiful canoe trails. The river flows through a hilly limestone karst landscape, and there are springs, sinkholes, caves and rock outcrops along the way. Hopefully we’ll be just in time to enjoy the Florida wild azaleas and mountain laurel in full bloom. LIMIT 12 boats. Con-tact Gwen Beatty or Gary Sisco (850) 539-6027
Apr. 14 Tue. P/L CHAPTER MEETING. See pg. 1.
Apr. 18 Sat. P/L Tallahassee Urban Hike! Shakespeare buffs and theatergoers--dust off your wherefore-art-thous and enjoy springtime while exploring downtown activities including the Southern Shakespeare Festival’s live performance of “ A Mid-
Leisurely (L) = 1-2 mph walking pace (Ex.: 4/26) Moderate (M) = 2-3 mph walking pace (Ex.: 4/25) Strenuous (S) = 3-4+ mph walking pace (Ex.: 4/1)
Your membership in the Florida Trail Association helps make our activities open and accessible to everyone. If you are a member, thank you! If you are not a member, please consider making a donation to the FTA at outings you attend. Give your donation to the hike leader. Or join the FTA today: http://www.floridatrail.org/make-a-difference/become-a-member
summer Night’s Dream” at the amphitheater in Cascades Park. Plan a slow afternoon hike around downtown, grab some dinner, bring a chair/blanket and be ready for the evening performance. Details on meeting location/time/costs to be provided closer to
event. Contact Dawn Griffin (850) 509-6103 [email protected] or Louis Brooks (850) 383-0724 [email protected] or you can sign up at http://www.meetup.com/Apalachee-Florida-Trail-Hiking
Apr. 18 Sat. P/M Spring Canyon Hike. A 4- to 5-mile hike through a privately owned property that is being restored to its original condition. Expect a slow pace as we enjoy the beautiful wildflowers, ravines, and longleaf pine forest, led by owners Tom and Helen Roth. Bring water, snacks and es-pecially a camera. This should be leisurely hike but expect a few steep climbs up the ra-vines. Contact Mike Tucker (850) 545-3489
tuckems @hotmail.com
Apr. 18 Sat. P/L Annual Wakulla Springs State Park Wildlife Festival. A celebration of the area's wildlife and especially inviting to children and the child in everyone. There will be music, outdoor exhibitors, wildlife tours, and more. Drop by and see us at the FTA
Apr. 19 Sun. P/M FNST Trail Care in Apala-chicola National Forest-West. Join a crew to maintain the Florida National Scenic Trail by clearing brush & limbs and repainting blazes. Location to be determined based on need. We will leave early morning and return about mid-afternoon. Wear trail shoes, dress for the weather, bring personal medications, lunch and snacks, and plan for insects & sun. Trail work can be strenuous so wear clothes you don’t mind getting worn out. We will wear pro-tective gear, either what you bring or provided by FTA/USFS. Basic tools will be provided. Contact Al Ingle (850) 509-1162 [email protected]
Apr. 25 Sat. P/M Hike, Seek & Destroy Invasive Plants! At a City of Tallahassee park, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Get exercise, education, and a reward. Learn from experts about invasive-plants & remove as many pounds of them as you can. Co-organized by local chapters of FTA & Florida Native Plant Association plus The Nature Conservancy and City of Tallahas-see. Lunch/beverages provided; plus prizes! Bring water, bug spray, gloves, and clippers if you own them (we will have extras).
Apr. 26 Sun, P/L Day Hike at Birdsong Nature Center. BNC consists of 565 acres of wildflower meadows, forests, ponds and swamps which are home to a myriad of birds and other wildlife. We will visit the famous Bird Window; the surrounding gardens and pool have attracted over 160 species of birds. Plan to bring a snack/water and day hike on some of the 12 miles of trails. Possible cookout at Dawn Brown’s house afterwards! Admission: $5 adults, $2.50 children 4-12 years old, free to BNC members. Car pool meeting location and time of
departure finalized closer to event. Contact Dawn Griffin (850) 509-6103 Grifindd @aol.com or Dawn Brown (850) 668-0091 or 545-0351 [email protected] or you can sign
up at http://www.meetup.com/Apalachee-Florida-Trail-Hiking
Apr. 28 Tue. M/L Activity Leader Planning Meeting. Grab a beer, wine and dinner while planning chapter activities for the months of July–September. 5:30 – 7: 30 p.m. at Milano’s Pizza (Corner of MLK and Tharp). Contact Dawn Griffin (850) 509-
May 2 Sat. P/L Moonlight Hike on the Miccosukee Greenway. See a 7-mile section of the Greenway in a unique way, cast in shadows and moonlight. Meet at 7:30 p.m. at the Crump Rd. trailhead (across the street from the brick house at 4955 Crump Rd.) and carpool to the Fleischman Rd. trailhead to begin our
hike. The first 1.5 miles of trail are natural path. The remainder of the pathway is broad level gravel. The white stones will make following the path an easy task. Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes and bring water, a flashlight or headlamp, and bug spray. Contact Melanie Knapp (850) 339-8830 [email protected] or Dawn
Griffin (850) 509-6103 [email protected] or sign up at http://www.meetup.com/Apalachee-Florida-Trail-Hiking
May 9 Sat. P/M Bike and Hike in St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge. Bike from the Visitor Center to the lighthouse and stop to hike some trails along the way. Contact Lori
May 17 Sun. P/M FNST Trail Care in Apala-chicola National Forest-West. Join a crew to maintain the Florida National Scenic Trail by clearing brush & limbs and repainting blaz-es. Location to be determined based on need. We will leave early morning and return about mid-afternoon. Wear trail shoes, dress for the weather, bring personal medications, lunch and snacks, and plan for insects & sun.
Trail work can be strenuous so wear clothes you don’t mind get-ting worn out. We will wear protective gear, either what you bring or provided by FTA/USFS. Basic tools will be provided. Contact Al Ingle (850) 509-1162 [email protected]
May 30 Sat. M/L Float, Swim and Ice Cream Social, Apala-chicola National Forest–West. We will canoe, kayak or float
down the Ochlockonee River from Piney Creek landing in Wakulla County to Smith Creek, about 2 mi. south of departing point. Swimming and sightseeing is a must! Enjoy ice cream and light food at Al’s family cabin (the take out point). Plan to
bring a food item to share! FTA MEMBERS ONLY; LIMIT 8 PEOPLE. Contact Al Ingle (850) 509-1162 [email protected]
June 6 Sat. M/L National Trails Day. Something completely
different--a venue with air conditioning!! Candy-making demo, ice cream at reduced price, parlor games to play with (and pur-
chase?), trail talk. MEMBERS ONLY; LIMIT 12 PEOPLE. To reserve a spot: Linda Patton (850) 668-4334 [email protected]
June 9 Tue. P/L CHAPTER MEETING. See page 1.
June 13 Sat. P/L Red Hills Ramble. Join us for our 3rd six-mile easy ramble along Old Centerville Road, from Centerville Road to the FL/GA state line (canopied road: half paved and half
Go GREEN, save our Chapter MONEY, and get a COLOR copy of the BLAZE with EXTRA pages. You can opt into receiving ‘The Blaze’ by email as a PDF and opt out of receiving a copy by mail. Each member who
does so saves the Chapter about $2.40 per year. Currently, 56 members are saving us about $135 !!
If you would like to receive the newsletter via email, contact Linda Patton, at [email protected]. THANK YOU !!
[If you’re not receiving the pdf of this issue, here’s what you’re missing: Articles by Toni Courtier on selecting hiking shoes AND Kent Wimmer on the Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition AND MORE!! [Including color photos]!
Heading into our Annual Chapter Business Meeting, I’m looking forward to the possibility of progressing to the most sought after role in ALL volunteer organizations – the position of Past Chair person.
It won’t mean less of a commitment to the Mission and experience of Florida Trails…it should mean more FTA time in the woods, a little less FTA time on the computer and phone. It means assisting and sharing what I have learned with our existing and new chapter leadership. It has been a good four years for me and I hope for you.
There are a lot of highlights over the four years – not the least of which was the phenomenal Wakulla Walkabout Regional Conference we hosted at Camp Indian Springs. Our chapter remains financially stable and administratively strong. We organized four dozen monthly programs and literally hundreds of outdoor activities for our members and the public. Your Apalachee Chapter made a difference in the lives of walkers, hikers and many others in our community. We did it as volunteers.
It’s impossible to list all the folks who made so many wonderful things happen. So I won’t try. Hope-fully each of us, all volunteers, were thanked along the way and we all know the difference we made.
Of course making a difference matters most in the present. I urge you to appreciate the past, look forward to the future, but work like the devil to make a difference in the present. Find one way, find a dozen ways, to make a difference in YOUR chapter, YOUR FTA and PROTECTION of the future of the trail.
Howard Pardue CHAPTER CHAIR
hard packed clay). The Red Hills has been identified for special
conservation efforts and the Nature Conservancy has desig-nated it as one of America's "Last Great Places." Wear com-fortable clothes, walking shoes and bring water & trail snacks for several hours. Meet at 10 a.m. at Bradley's Coun-try Store (approx. 5.7 mi. beyond Bradfordville/Roberts Roads) where we will park and begin our walk. Afterwards enjoy a sausage dog and drink at the country store. Contact Dawn Griffin (850) 509-6103 [email protected] or sign up at http://www.meetup.com/Apalachee-Florida-Trail-Hiking
June 14 Sun. M/M Wacissa River Paddling Trip. Paddle approximately 2 mi. round trip, from the Wacissa River Springs to Big Blue Springs and back, followed by a picnic lunch at the
springs. The river is a large, spring-fed stream located in south-central Jefferson County. Its headwaters are located about a mile south of the town of Wacissa, where the river emerges crystal clear from a group of large limestone springs. Well known for its large concentration of aquatic birds, including egrets, herons, ibis, osprey, wood storks, limpkins, anhingas, kingfishers, barred owls and bald ea-gles. FTA MEMBERS ONLY; LIMIT 8 BOATS. Contact Louis Brooks (850) 383-0724 [email protected]
June 20 Sat. P/M Annual Ft. Braden Interpretative Hike. Join us under the cooler forest canopy at Ft. Braden Trails, lo-cated on Hwy 20 about a mile west of Coe Landing Rd. We will meet at the trailhead just off Hwy 20 (watch for the sign) at 8:15 a.m. We will hike on one of the trail loops, enjoying interpreta-tion on forest resource management and recreation by State Forest experts. Dress for the weather, wear outdoor shoes/boots. Bring personal items including medications, bug & sun protection, water, snacks, etc. The hike will conclude about noon with cooling refreshments. Contact Howard Pardue (850)
June 28 Sun. P/M FNST Trail Care in Apalachicola National Forest–West. Join a crew to maintain the Florida National Scenic Trail by clearing brush, limbs and repainting blazes. Lo-cation to be determined based on need. We will leave early morning and return about mid-afternoon. Wear trail shoes, dress for the weather, bring personal medications, lunch and snacks, and plan for insects & sun. Trail work can be strenuous so wear clothes you don’t mind getting worn out. We will wear protective gear, either what you bring or provided by FTA/USFS. Basic tools will be provided. Contact Al Ingle (850) 509-1162 [email protected]
5
YOU ARE NEEDED!!
Help Wanted: SECTION LEADER for the Aucilla River Section of the FNST. This is a most scenic and culturally
significant section of the Florida National Scenic Trail. There are active Trailmasters for all segments of the Section. To learn more, contact Trail Coordinator, Richard Graham: (850) 878-3616 [email protected]
Help Wanted: TRAILMASTERS for the Apalachicola National Forest-West Section of the FNST. There are
about 32 miles within this section requiring lopping and inspection for problems before mowing is done. Pick a section from 2 to 5 miles (or more) long. To learn more, contact Section Leader, Al Ingle: (850) 509-1162 [email protected]
Help Wanted: Newsletter EDITOR for The Blaze. Requires knowledge of appropriate software equivalent to Adobe
InDesign or Microsoft Office Publisher. Requires about 20+ hrs. of work 4 times per year. This includes collection of con-tent (activities, articles, membership data, changes in volunteer responsibilities, etc.), formatting, creating extra content for electronic version, converting to pdf, purchasing stamps and seals, interfacing with DQP print shop, getting copies ready for mailing (folding, affixing stamps and seals, taking to post office), and adding additional content to, and emailing, the electronic version. To learn more, contact Interim Editor, Linda Patton: (850) 668-4334 [email protected]
THE ‘TEN ESSENTIALS’ FOR DAYHIKING
CLASSIC LIST
1. Map
2. Compass
3. Sunglasses and sunscreen
4. Extra clothing
5. Headlamp/flashlight
6. First-aid supplies
7. Firestarter
8. Matches
9. Knife
10. Extra food
UPDATED “SYSTEMS” LIST
1. Navigation (map and compass)
2. Sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen)
3. Insulation (extra clothing)
4. Illumination (headlamp/flashlight)
5. First-aid supplies
6. Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles)
7. Repair kit and tools
8. Nutrition (extra food)
9. Hydration (extra water)
10. Emergency shelter
CHAPTER COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS:
The Council of FTA Chapters meets three times a year to learn about the state of FTA and share information with other Chapters. Here are a few highlights from the January 31, 2015 meeting.
• The FLORIDA TRAIL ASSOCIATION continues to be a very financially lean organization. We are no longer spending down reserves. We have a much smaller staff and are no longer providing as many services to the public and are relying on special volunteer projects (like updating trail maps) to keep some services going. Increasing our membership and fundraising are high priorities. FTA membership applications should be placed in trail kiosks and Activity Leaders should be carrying FTA brochures with them to distribute on their hikes. HOW else can you help?
• FTA’s TRAIL PROGRAM COORDINATOR, Eric Mason, has recently taken a position with the City of Tallahassee. We believe his position will be filled. Current work is being coordinated by Megan Donoghue and FTA Regional Reps, Jeff Glenn and Alex tigliano. WELCOME ERIC! We are glad to have you as a volunteer member of our Chapter.
• The FTA TRAIL MANUAL -- which describes standards and practices for routing, building and maintaining the FNST and Loop Trails -- is being revised. Our Section Leaders and Trail Coordinator were sent drafts for review and comment. Contact Richard Graham [email protected] if you think you have comments on what should be in the Trail Manual.
• The FTA ANNUAL CONFERENCE Is coming up April 9 – 12 in Fruitland Park (the Life Enrichment Center). Go to http://www.floridatrail.org/2015-annual-conference for more information. And see the event description on pg. 2 in this issue. We need to contribute new donations (outdoor gear or themed items are great!) to the silent and live auctions. Contact Howard Pardue [email protected] if you believe you have good donations to offer.
