Volunteer Awards

Florida Trail Association Volunteer Recognition

The Florida Trail Association’s annual awards serve as a way to recognize members, volunteers, partners, and supporters for their incredible contributions to the FTA and the Florida Trail. Every year, we ask our partners, members and volunteers to nominate people in the community for their exceptional contributions.

Every year, we ask our partners, members and volunteers to nominate people in the community for their exceptional contributions. Please take part in helping us recognize those who have played a vital role in supporting and furthering the mission of the FTA.

Nominations are open! Please use this form to nominate a volunteer for an award. Nominations will close December 22nd, 2025 at 5PM EST.

Awards are based on the calendar year – January 2025 to December 2025.
 
Please submit only one nomination per award category. Each FTA Chapter should work together to decide which member from their chapter will be nominated.  
Full descriptions of the awards and the awards nomination process can be found on the page below.
 

2025 Award Winners will be announced at Florida Trail Fest, March 6th-8th. Award Ceremony details will be announced soon.

If you have any questions, please contact volunteer@floridatrail.org

Award Categories

Chair’s Awards

The following awards are selected and presented at the FTA Chair’s discretion:

Leslie Wheeler - Cornelia Burge Award & Vernon Compton - Lifetime Achievement Award

This award is presented at the FTA Chairs’s discretion to an FTA member who has made extraordinary progress toward meeting the purposes and objectives of the FTA on a statewide basis. This award is considered the highest recognition for an FTA Member/Volunteer, and as such, this is limited to one recipient annually.

YearRecipientChapter
1984Ernie BaldiniIR
1984Ashby BoxIR
1984Mary Anne TwyfordAC
1985Fred MulhollandSC
1985George WysockSC
1986Wiley Dykes, SrCF
1986Karl EichhornIR
1987Saima TakkenHS
1988Cheri McDermottFC
1989Ethel PalmerSC
1990Frank OrserFC
1990Deborah Stewart-KentTB
1991Sylvia DunnamSU
1992Dick SchulerHS
1993Paul CummingsLC
1993Sunny PiskuraLC
1994Ken & Thelma CarpenterHH
1995June AtkinsonCF
1996Don & Marie MeindersSC
1997Bernie SimmsTB
1998Joan HobsonHI
1999Kent WimmerAC
2000Carol Ann SchillerSU
2000Fred SchillerSU
2001Pete DurnellCF
2001Bill HalpenLC
2002Mary Anne FreyerCF
2002Rick GuhseTT
2003Sandra FriendFC
2004Pam HaleIR
2005Tom DanielCH
2006Helen GallopsBC
2007Eileen WyandSC
2008Vernon ComptonCH
2009Ed WolcottFC
2010Julia ThompsonCF
2011Richard RiceSU
2012Lou and Rachael AugspurgCF
2013Melissa BruneauHC
2013David WaldropHC
2014Judy TrottaFC
2014Eve BaileyCH
2015David CostakisFC
2015Don MockFC
2016Linda BentonTB
2017Carlos SchomakerAA
2018Janice WellsHC
2019Kay FerraraHH
2019Howard PardueAC
2021Susan Bennett MannsBC
2023Leslie WheelerNF
2024Bill TurmanCF

 

This award is presented at the FTA Chairs’s discretion to very select members who have demonstrated a lifetime dedication and commitment to the mission and goals of the FTA. This award will recognize those individuals who have significant efforts in all levels of the organization repeatedly throughout their years as a member of the FTA. This award is one of the most prestigious given by the FTA and as such, there will be very limited number of awards given out. Nominations are submitted to the Awards Committee for consideration.

YearRecipientChapter
2005Ernie & Jean BaldiniIR
2005Paul & Sherry CummingsLC
2005Carl & Sylvia DunnamSU
2005Wiley Dykes, SrCF
2005Karl & Betty EichhornIR
2005Mary Anne FreyerCF
2005Jim KernTB
2005Charlie MonsonBC
2005Fred MulhollandSC
2005Ethel PalmerSC
2005Margaret ScruggsFC
2005Dorothy StrickhouserBC
2006Rose & Jim KellermanHC
2006Frank OrserFC
2006Jim PaceHC
2006Fred & Carol Ann SchillerSU
2006Dick SchulerHS
2006Bill & Linda TaylorHS
2006Elizabeth VanMieropFC
2007Dick BinghamSC
2007Dean DrakeLC
2007Charles & Virginia EdwardsSC
2007Dennis NymarkSC
2007Bernie & Jackie SimmsTB
2007Ted & Trudy WinsbergLC
2007Ed WolcottFC
2008Kenneth SmithFC
2009Ted KmetFC
2009Pat & Allan PearceTB
2010Roland AldermanHC
2011Pete DurnellCF
2011Lou & Rachel AugspurgCF
2011Bea Rogers and Dean DrakeLC
2011Joan & Bruce HobsonHI
2012Robert SchultzHI
2012Bea RogersLC
2013Howard PardueAC
2013Jon PhippsCF
2014Bill ReedWG
2014George BrinkmanFC
2015Margaret BrabhamLC
2016Tom ClementsTT
2016Tom DanielCH
2016Monika HoerlHC
2016Betty WilsonAA
2016Chuck WilsonAA
2016Fred DavisLC
2017Francis KeenanHI
2017Bobbi KeenanHI
2017Sandra FriendIR
2018David DenhamBC
2017Ralph HancockSC
2019Ted YoungbloodSC
2021Howard PardueAP
2022Mike & Lynn ThompsonHH
2022Dawn GriffinAP
2023Vernon ComptonWG
2023Pamela HaleIR
2024David WaldropHC

This award is presented at the FTA Chair’s discretion to public officials who have provided leadership in advocating on behalf of the Florida Trail, as well as landowners and agencies who have significantly contributed to the completion and protection of the Florida Trail.

YearRecipient
2010Mark Warren
2010Don & Janice McDonald
2010M.C. Davis
2011James Burnett
2013Jim Wood
2016Allen Broussard Conservancy
2017Beth Jackson – Orange County
2017Jared Barber – Big Cypress NPS
2018Bob Mindick – Osceola County
2021Edwin McCook – Suwannee River WMD
2023Nathan Boyles – Okaloosa County Commissioner District 3
2023Stephen Stipkovits – Florida State Forest, Little Big Econ and C. H. Bronson State Forests
2024Seminole Tribe of Florida – Big Cypress Chapter

Membership Awards

The following awards are selected by the Awards Committee from FTA member nominations:

This award is presented to members who have made extraordinary efforts as trail maintainers in helping reach our organizational goal of a continuous trail across Florida, and those who have worked diligently in building and maintaining the side and loop trails of the Florida Trail System, and are excellent role models and examples for other volunteers. This award is considered the highest recognition for an FTA trail maintainer. Nominations are submitted to the Awards Committee for consideration and approval.

YearRecipientChapter
2001Kenneth SmithFC
2001Alton SnellgroveTB
2001Ed WolcottFC
2002Tom DanielCH
2002Frank OserFC
2002William SummersSC
2003Paul CummingsLC
2004Mary Pat CrossWG
2004Dean DrakeLC
2004Joan HobsonHI
2004Dick SchulerHS
2004Ted YoungbloodSC
2005Jim HernandezHC
2005Jack HornerAA
2005Bea RogersLC
2006Sam BigbieSU
2006Jim GlancyTT
2006Wally HillCF
2006Don NealeSU
2006Antony RawsonLC
2007Monika HoerlHC
2007Butch Siegel, Jr.CH
2007Gerry WaldFC
2008Bob DeckertCH
2008David DenhamHH
2008L.B. JonesWG
2009Ron PetersonPC
2009Jon PhippsCF
2009Bill PowerTT
2009Ed WalkerWG
2010Hugh BellPC
2010Bob YostHC
2010Jim & Rose KellermanHC
2010Steve KuharWG
2011Ian AjacHC
2011David “Bill” ColemanCF
2011Monika HoerlHC
2011Francis & Bobbi KeenanHI
2011Ron PetersonCH
2011Mike ThompsonHH
2011David WaldropHC
2011Ed WilliamsonWG
2012Jim AldridgeHC
2012Robert BrowderWG
2012Scott JohnstonCF
2012Andre MarcilSU
2012David SibleyIR
2013Lori BurrisTT
2013Janie HamiltonTB
2013Doug KucklickCF
2013Steve MeyersLC
2013Shawn RileyIR
2013Ronny TraylorAC
2014Bill MartinSC
2014Ray MorganWG
2014Linda PattonAC
2014Bill ReadFC
2015Lou & Rachael AugspurgCF
2015Richard GrahamAC
2015Janie HamiltonTB
2015Eric LewisAC
2015Robin LugerFC
2015Bernice NemethHI
2015Steven NemethHI
2016Lou AugspurgCF
2016Rachael AugspurgCF
2016Jean BubAA
2016Michael TuckerAC
2016Bill TurmanCF
2016John GrobHI
2016Gene MolnarHI
2016Hazel MolnarHI
2016Eric LewisPC
2016RJ SikoraSU
2016Stephanie SikoraSU
2016Linda TaylorBB
2017Larry AlesiHH
2017Vic & Carlene DanartAC
2017Abe ChristianBB
2018Jeff AndrewsLC
2018Tom ClementsTT
2018Gordy HawkinsSC
2018David RobinsonHH
2018Carl RodkeyBB
2018Jo Anne RodkeyBB
2018Doug SpharIR
2018Debra TaylorAA
2019Bill TaylorBB
2019Richard QuinnTT
2019Barbara QuinnTT
2020Darryl UpdegrovePH
2021Ed WilliamsonWG
2021Rick ByrnesLC
2022David MaltbyIR
2022Don RavinskiWG
2023Jerry RogersCF
2023Keith LeFevreCH
2024Tom DanielCH
2024Kenneth DoucetteCH

This award is presented to members who have made very significant efforts and accomplishments to ensure that the responsibilities for building and maintaining their portion of the Florida Trail and the side and loop trails of the Florida Trail System are met. This award is considered a high honor for the trail maintainer, and as such the award will be limited to at most one recipient per chapter per year. Nominations are submitted to the Awards Committee for consideration and approval.

YearRecipientChapter
2019Bill AlexanderIR
2019Rachael AugspurgCF
2019Alan HearnPC
2019Patrick KerrHH
2019Linda TaylorBB
2019Mike WilliamsSC
2020Don RavinskiWG
2020Bill TurmanCF
2021Mike TuckerAP
2021Patrick EllisHH
2021Richard WarrenBC
2021Don RavinskiWG
2021Terry HeapsAA
2021Jerry RogersCF
2022Mike TuckerAP
2022David GaleBC
2022Tom DrakeCF
2022Eugene StoccardoCF
2022Jeff DorenHH
2022Walter AhernLC
2022Brenda ZenkNF
2022Darryl UpdegrovePC
2022Brad HendersonWG
2022Rhonda WiseHC
2023Joseph “Java Joe” DabesSC
2023Cody PeacockBC
2023Margaret “Hammer” NonnemacherBB
2023Pete LawCF
2023Paul “Bart” PaceHC
2023Mike TamborrinoHI
2023Doug KverekIR
2023Douglas AdamsLC
2023Hattie SpringNextGen
2023John HintonNF
2023Dan PetersonSH
2023Rich QuinnTT
2023Howard HayesAC
2023Ken DoucettePH
2023Dick WardHH
2024Kevin SedgwickTB
2024Larry AlesiHH
2024John HootenCH
2024William CoffmanPH
2024Gary BusheyCF
2024Victoria LambieTT

This award is presented to members who have made significant contributions to the Florida Trail Association at a state or chapter level. Examples of significant contributions may include leadership, fundraising, recruitment, outreach, or other valuable volunteer services. Special Service Awards are limited to one recipient per chapter. Nominations are submitted to the Awards Committee for consideration and approval.

YearRecipientChapter
1999Lou & Rachael AugspurgCF
1999Jim & Nancy EscoffierIR
1999Ed MooreWG
1999Warren ResenLC
1999Carol Ann SchillerSU
2000Lou & Rachael AugspurgCF
2000Ken & Thelma CarpenterHH
2000Tom & Kay ClementsTT
2000Vernon ComptonWG
2000Pete DurnellCF
2000Dawn GriffinAC
2000Ben HaleFC
2000Bill HalpenLC
2000Sidney McDonaldPC
2000Phil NiswanderTB
2000Dennis NymarkSC
2000Daisy PalmerLC
2000Linda PattonAC
2000Jon PhippsCF
2000Marion PyotsiaSC
2000Dick RiceSC
2000Kenneth SmithFC
2000Daryl WellsTB
2001Barbara BigbieSU
2001Rebecca BowmanCF
2001Tom DanielCH
2001Cheryl EllefsonCF
2001Rick GuhseTT
2001Bobbie & Francis KeenanHI
2001Judy MinterCF
2001Ted & Dottie PeppelSC
2001Judy & Bill PerhamLC
2001Jeff WaltersCF
2002Ernie BaldiniIR
2002Sam BigbieSU
2002Myrna ClaytonCF
2002Carl DunnamSU
2002Dan KnippelTT
2002Ethel PalmerSC
2002Steve RajtarCF
2002Dick SchulerHS
2002Paula SnellgroveTB
2002Carl StrohmengerSC
2002Lee SubermanCF
2002Ronnie TraylorAC
2002Ted WilkinsFC
2002Ted & Trudy WinsbergLC
2003Linda BentonTB
2003Rick BinderTT
2003Harold & Juanita DemarestPC
2003Tony FlohreIR
2003Ted KmetFC
2003Donna KororaTT
2003Don NealeSU
2003Lynn & Mike ThompsonHH
2003Leslie WheelerTB
2004Tom ClementsTT
2004Tom DanielCH
2004Jim & Nancy EscoffierIR
2004Peggy GranthamWG
2004Joan & Bruce HobsonHI
2004Joan JarvisCF
2004Bob & Louise KeefeCF
2004Russ KlettCF
2004Nancy LaubenthalCF
2004Dell LoylessCF
2004Tom McLainHH
2004Charlie MonsonBC
2004Steve RajtarCF
2004Warren ResenLC
2004Bea RogersLC
2004Elizabeth VanMieropFC
2005Joe AllenIR
2005Lou & Rachael AugspurgCF
2005Jan EckerdAC
2005Helen GallopsBC
2005Jack & Liz HailmanTT
2005Louise HillenTT
2005Jack & Gerry HornerAA
2005Beth KelsoAA
2005Virginia LaneHH
2005Billy & Tammy LuperTB
2005Eric MedleyTB
2005Jan MeeksSC
2005Steve MeyersLC
2005Judy MinterCF
2005Rodney PoseyCF
2005Beth & Walter SchoenfelderSU
2005Rob Smith, JR.CF
2005Alton SnellgroveTB
2005Dale WeddleIR
2006Eve BarbourCF
2006Virginia BartonCF
2006Ian BrownCF
2006Roland BurrowsHH
2006Morena CameronIR
2006Phyllis DuenasCF
2006Pat HastingsAA
2006Gail IrwinLC
2006Mick KarolickIR
2006Gregory LaneHH
2006Richard LoudenIR
2006JoAnn LuceAA
2006Audrey MinnisTT
2006Bill PowerTT
2006Rosalind SuitOS
2006Mary TeedBC
2006Terry TenoldAC
2006Ken WilliamsHC
2006Catherine WinterCF
2007Bob CovenyFC
2007Gretchen DeweyTT
2007Kay FerraraHH
2007Frank GriecoAA
2007Joel KaiserTT
2007Esther MuramLC
2007Edythe PekinLC
2007Mike PisacanoTT
2007Roger RoseAA
2007Barbara SchumuckerTT
2007Kenneth SmithFC
2007Betty WilsonAA
2008Mitch AlmonSC
2008Margaret BrabhamLC
2008Jean BubAA
2008Lori BurrisTT
2008Brenda CarneriAA
2008Paul CummingsLC
2008Cheryl GardnerWG
2008Paul GuyonLC
2008Mary HalfertyHH
2008Janie HamiltonFC
2008Cate KearnsHH
2008Wallis MayoCH
2008Judy MinterCF
2008Candy & Frank RetterHH
2008Carol RoseAA
2009Lori DillonHH
2009Deanna FilkinsHH
2009Diana FitzpatrickHH
2009Charles HausladenCF
2009Gordon JohnsonLC
2009Wallis MayoCH
2009Chuck WilsonAA
2010Larry AlesiHH
2010Bill AllisonHH
2010Judy HarrisHH
2010Jerry HertingAC
2010Jay LevittTT
2010Andre MarcilSU
2010Dot MorrisonFC
2010Galen MosesAC
2010Teresa NewgentAC
2010Dan RieflerHH
2010Bob WallaceSU
2010Jean WilliamsonCF
2010Allan YoungHH
2011Eve BarbourCF
2011Wallis & Paul MayoCH
2011Susan CreelWG
2011Lou & Rachel AugspurgCF
2011Ruby TeboCF
2011Kim HimmelmanTT
2011Aubrey MinnisTT
2011Kay FerraraHH
2011Brown, ElizabethHH
2011Jacquelyn KelleyAA
2011Donna EllisSU
2011Ken WilliamsHC
2012Carl AngleseaCF
2012John & Pat CarrollTT
2012Howard LunsfordLC
2012Mike LevittLC
2012Mary MillerLC
2012Debra LawrenceLC
2012Alan CollinsLC
2012Randy CreelWG
2012Robert SchultzHI
2012Barbara BigbieWG
2012RJ & Stephanie SikoraSU
2012Linda PattonAC
2012Bonnie McLaughlinAA
2012Tom DanielCH
2013Marion FinchLC
2013Russell KletteCF
2013Bill & Mary Ellen MiltonHI
2013Betty PiperHC
2013Holly Porter-FairCF
2013Helen WigersmaWG
2014Kay FerraraHH
2014Deanna FilkinsHH
2014Kean EngieWG
2014Janet WalshCF
2014Tom WackendorfAA
2015Virginia BartonCF
2015Elaine FisherCF
2015John GrobHI
2015Gain IrwinLC
2015Joan JarvisCF
2015Doug KucklickCF
2015Scott LunsfordLC
2015Steve MeyersLC
2015Roy MooreLC
2015Shannon MooreLC
2015Mary NixonCF
2015Bill RoyFC
2015Connie ScottCF
2015Judy TrottaFC
2015David WaldropHC
2015Jean WilliamsonCF
2016Bill TurmanCF
2016Jackie WarrenCF
2016Karen HilemanCF
2016Elaine FisherCF
2016Patrick RollinNA
2016Howard PospeselHI
2016Carmen PospeselHI
2016Diane RoeschHI
2017Bill AlexanderIR
2017Jim CouillardTT
2017Shannon MooreLC
2017Tom McDanielHH
2017Ed WilliamsonWG
2017Gene & Terry BouleyHI
2017John McArdleTT
2017Pam SwansonCF
2018Rita BlackLC
2018Kathleen BonvouloirHH
2018Kay FerraraHH
2018Joe GardnerBB
2018Barb HallsBB
2018Barbara JohnstonHH
2018Kathy LambHI
2018Eric LewisPC
2018Randy MadisonTB
2018Patty RiskoskyBB
2018Chelsey StevensCF
2018Chris StevensCF
2018Wade WillistonHI
2019Rene BonvouloirHH
2019Robert GrosswaldHH
2019Carl KepfordAA
2019Bill & Ginger LeachHI
2019Karen SmithHH
2019Darryl UpdegrovePC
2019Jackie WarrenCF
2020Richard (Dick) WardHH
2020Steve GriegerCF
2020Brenda CarneriAA
2020Ernie LynkBC
2021Richard WarrenBC
2021Kay FerraraHH
2021Debra TaylorAA
2021Susan Bennett MannsBC
2021Helen WigersmaWG
2021Christine HaleWG
2021Cheryl GardnerWG
2021Barbara RossAA
2021James FaitAA
2021Bill AlexanderIR
2021Janet MillerLC
2021Mary Helen MillerLC
2021Jennifer Jones-ReynoldsLC
2022Bruce ZollnerHI
2022Mike BarnettHI
2022Alan HoldsworthHH
2022David MaltbyIR
2022Karl ByarsWG
2022Jim PeaksIR
2022Darryl UpdegrovePC
2022Cody PeacockBC
2022Janet MillerLC
2022Jerry RogersCF
2023Mike TuckerAC
2023Kelley GalvinCF
2023Jim WilsonCH
2023Kathleen BonvouloirHH
2023Kathy LeaversHI
2023Bett ConnellLC
2023Ira EickNF
2023Tracey TyrellNF
2023Christina DoucettePH
2023Dorothy MorrisonSH
2023Richard KnappTT
2024Jack SchofieldSC
2024Rick GuhseTT
2024Christine PenaHI
2024Tara HagoodHI
2024Amy PerkinsHH
2024Kate AdamsFEC
2024David MagnessCF
2024Helen WigersmaWG
2024Peggy GranthamWG
2024Ann ConleyPC
2024Doug KverekCF
2024Melodie & Dennis HardyHI

Presented to members who have made extraordinary efforts and are highly qualified as Activity Leaders or Activity Coordinators using activities as a means to introduce the public to the Florida Trail. The nominee should have a history of successful and innovative activity leadership, displaying a knowledge of the Activity Leader Guidelines, and possess skills such as first aid, map reading, and engage in environmental education including the knowledge of local flora & fauna, or culture and history. This award is considered a high honor for the Activity Leaders and Activity Coordinators, and as such, the award will be limited to at most one recipient per chapter per year. Nominations are submitted to the Awards Committee for consideration and approval.

YearRecipientChapter
2009Lou & Rachael AugspurgCF
2009David DenhamHC
2009Peggy GranthamWG
2009Mickey MillerAA
2009Bea RogersLC
2010Sam BigbieSU
2010Paula MillerTT
2010Nancy NeedsHC
2010Rodney PoseyCF
2011Bea RogersLC
2011Rose & Jim KellermanHC
2011Steve RajtarCF
2011Esther MuramHH
2012Judy MinterCF
2012Bea RogersLC
2013Peggy GranthamWG
2013Liane PlumhoffHC
2013Tom ReganCF
2013Joseph RosenbergLC
2015Alan CollinsLC
2015Mary Slater LinnCF
2016Dawn GriffinAC
2017Margaret BrabhamLC
2017Jim & Nancy EscoffierIR
2017Tony FlohreIR
2017Dawn GriffinAC
2017Valerie JohnsonLC
2017Howard LunsfordLC
2017Mary MillerLC
2017Bill & Mary Ellen MiltonHI
2017Roy MooreLC
2017Jackie WarrenCF
2018Rachael AugspurgCF
2018Lenny ChewSC
2018Ryan LuskLC
2018Mike ThompsonHH
2019Pam SwansonCF
2020Chuck & Betty WilsonAA
2020Ed WilliamsonWG
2021Melissa UpdegrovePC
2021Carmel HindHH
2021Dennis HardyHI
2021Melodie HardyHI
2021Alan CollinsLC
2022Don ValcheffHI
2022Andy J. NiekampWG
2022David GriswoldHH
2022Gary WassermanIR
2022Rachel AugspergCF
2023Carmel HindHH
2023Dianne DammillerHI
2023David NewkirkIR
2023Mary MillerLC
2023Walter BryantNF
2023Leo DuggerSH
2023Maria FielderSH
2023Barbara QuinnTT
2024Judi HarrisonAC
2024Ron HarrisonAC
2024Bruce ZollnerHI
2024Michelle FerroIR
2024Lynn ThompsonHH
2024Chris NolanCH
2024Mary Slater LinnCF

This award is presented to members with twenty-five years of continuous membership to the FTA.

  • Leslee Heller
  • Walker Banning
  • Dee Dalrymple
  • Candis Harbison
  • Debbie Levi
  • Ben Ellis
  • Gerald Wald
  • Ann Rodgers
  • JoAnn Miller
  • Larry Warren
  • Bill Hofman
  • Michael Kelly
  • Debra Akin
  • Jean Williamson
  • Anna Dorsey
  • Hector Vargas
  • Kathy Besbekos
  • Dorothy Morrison
  • Robert Dodrill
  • Eve Barbour
  • S. Aaron Laden
  • Gary Sisco
  • Marsha Certain
  • Steve Meyers
  • Carmel Hind
  • Alan Collins
  • Jon Hillen
  • Robert Daniels
  • John Buchholz
  • Jeff Ernst
  • Mitch Almon
  • Alan Roddy
  • James Fait
  • Janie Hamilton
  • Greg Lane
  • Jean Powell
  • Don Lauher
  • Inge Ackerman
  • Jan Blue
  • William Byczek
  • Susan and
  • Charles Creel
  • Tom and Anne Daniel
  • Fred Davis
  • Kris Dougherty
  • Holly Genzen
  • Joseph Gildone
  • Liqing Hart
  • Bob Herring and Gaye Ciesinski
  • Monika Hoerl
  • Kevin and Cheryl Hogan
  • George Hoover
  • Michael Kane
  • Norman “Bob” Kerckel
  • Hai-Toh Lim
  • Grace Linn
  • Peter Lund
  • Thomas McDaniel
  • Henry McElreath
  • Bonnie McLaughlin
  • Audrey and Marc Minnis
  • Mary Lou Rethman
  • Richard Robbins
  • George Stewart
  • Phillip Stonwater
  • Charles Tabscott
  • Mike @ Travel Country Outdoors
  • Michael and Betsy Tucker
  • Patricia Larkins
  • Miles McSweeney
  • Molly Jones
  • Kathleen Etherington
  • Diana Clark
  • Mark Rimmer
  • Margaret Brabham
  • Catherine Amoss
  • Eva Bailey
  • Bill Lindholm
  • Kevin Stoppello
  • Dorothy R. Williams
  • Russ Klette
  • Timothy Hodges
  • Arnold Klein
  • Paul Kirkham
  • Cathy Muckler
  • Margaret Vandiver
  • Ronald Thomas
  • Edward Walker
  • Jim Nolan
  • Jocelyn Cox Hargrove
  • Paul Kirkpatrick
  • George Blakely
  • Melton Cockrell
  • David Robinson
  • Donald Kreitzman
  • Sherrill McNeece
  • Florence Adams
  • Nancy Tunnell
  • Robert Rowland
  • Beverly Wilburn
  • John Davis
  • Barbara Lasky
  • Joan Grey
  • Grayal Farr
  • William Shay

This award is presented to members with fifty years of continuous membership to the FTA.

  • David Forman
  • Terrence Mahoney
  • George Stovall
  • Ruth Black
  • Mary Anne Freyer
  • Judy Otto
  • Bob Warren
  • Susan Hofstein
  • Maryellen Kirwan
  • Betty Loomis
  • John Sutphin III
  • Deborah Stewart Kent

Partnership Awards

Presented to non-members or organizations that have made significant contributions to the Florida Trail Association. This may be to a land owner or land manager who has been of noteworthy assistance, or to a monetary donor. The person may incidentally be a member of the FTA but the assistance was made “outside” the organization. Nominations are submitted to the Awards Committee for consideration and approval.

YearRecipient
2010Brasington’s Adventure Outfitters
2011David Butcher
2012Stephen Stipkovits
2013Blackwater River State Forest Gary
2013Werner
2014Amy Conyers
2014Warren Poplin
2014Steve Elkinton, National Park Service
2015Hazen Mitchell
2016Nels Parson
2016John Strayer
2017Jim Blush
2017Jeff McLemore
2017Hidden Valley Park, Schuler Family
2018Robert Brooks, Wekiwa Springs SP
2018Jason Ballard, FWC
2018Jim Duby, Seminole County
2018Michelle Hoffman, Orianne Center
2018Mark Jenkins, FWC
2018Dean Prescott
2018Ralph Risch, Seminole State Forest
2019Anastasia Dieter, REI
2019Matt Favero, Z-Packs
2019Monrad Chandler
2020Chris Johansen, Eglin Air Force Base
2020Bijaya (BJ) Kattel, South Florida Water Management District (retired)
2021Loisa Kerwin
2022Reverend Arlen & Mrs. Lana Payne – Big Cypress New Testament Baptist Church
2022Sean Blanton – Run Bum Tours
2022FTthruHIKE
2023Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners
2023Sheila Fitzgerald
2023Bob and Judy Erdle
2023Deb Bussinger
2023Alex Creager
2024Big Cypress National Preserve Staff
2024Travis Pollard
2024Justin Davis
2024Joe Ivory

This award is presented to a member of the media (newspaper, magazine, television, radio) who has promoted the goals and objectives of the Florida Trail Association and has highlighted the health benefits of backpacking, hiking or walking. Nominations are submitted to the Awards Committee for consideration and approval.

YearRecipient
2014
Troy Moon, Kimberly Blair, John Blackie, Pensacola News Journal
2016Megan Digeon
2017
Greg Stanley & Katie Klann, Naples Daily News
2018Sandra Friend, Florida Hikes
2019Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel
2020Misit Little, Orange Blaze Podcast
2021Jessica Mills, Homemade Wanderlust
2021Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel
2022Chris and Chelsey Stevens “Sunshine State Seekers”
2024Reagan Ryan

Florida Trail Program Awards

This annual statewide award is presented to a member who has conducted outstanding volunteer service as measured by having the most FNST maintenance hours submitted and entered into the FTA hours reporting database within the year. This award is coordinated and presented by the Staff.
Year Recipient Chapter
2016 Ed Williamson WG
2017 Paul Mayo CH
2018 Abe Christian BB
2019 Mike Hankey TB
2020 Margaret Nonnemacher BB
2021 Perry Koussiafes AP
2022 Eugene Stoccardo CF
2023 Margaret Nonnemacher BB
2024 Jerry Rogers CF

This annual statewide award is presented to a partnership group who has conducted outstanding volunteer service as measured by having the most collective volunteer hours submitted and entered into the FTA hours reporting database within the year. This award is coordinated and presented by the Staff.

YearRecipient
2016REI
2017Florida Alternative Breaks
2018UF Engineers for Sustainability
2019Groundwork Jacksonville
2020Girls Who Hike Florida
2023Creekside High School Engineering Club
This annual statewide award is presented to a member who has conducted outstanding volunteer service as measured by having the most administrative hours submitted and entered into the FTA hours reporting database within the year. This award is coordinated and presented by the Staff.
Year Recipient Chapter
2020 Bill Turman CF
2021 Debra Taylor AA
2022 Lynn Thompson HH
2023 Kate Adams FE
2023 Susan Bennett Manns BC