Next Generation Coalition

The Florida Trail Association’s Next Generation Coalition is a group of young leaders dedicated to sustaining and promoting the Florida Trail!

Interested in joining the Next Generation Coalition? 

We are not currently accepting applications for the Coalition. If you are interested in future participation or have any questions, please email Emily Padden at [email protected].

Applications for the 2025-2026 cohort will open in Summer 2025

Meet the 2024-2025 Next Generation Leaders

Abigayle Watts

  • Gainesville, FL
Abigayle Watts- I have had the pleasure of growing up in Florida and getting the chance to experience the unique nature that is all around and I am so thankful for all the memories I have exploring this state. I am a junior at the University of Florida pursuing a degree in English and Education! I spend all of my free time outside working at a lake, facilitating ropes and challenge courses and I love to run, rock climb and read. I spent two summer seasons working in Yellowstone National Park and then one summer doing trail maintenance in Northwestern Colorado on a conservation corps. These summers have especially nurtured my love of the outdoors and has shown me the importance of educating people on taking care and respecting our planet! While the American West is truly incredible, the North Florida trails hold a special place in my heart and I cannot wait to give back by serving on this coalition! 
 

 

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Alyssa Cashmore

  • Live Oak, FL

Alyssa Cashmore - Hi there! I’m Alyssa Cashmore, a high school teacher and college student working on my B.S. in Wildlife Conservation. I am a north Florida native and have a LOVE for Florida’s trails and outdoors. Florida’s unique ecosystem and protecting it is a passion of mine and I love sharing about it with others. The Florida Trail for me is one of the most incredible doors to the wild and is where I find my escape from life. I believe that Florida is one of God’s most beautiful creations and I’m honored to be learning more on how to upkeep and protect it. ’

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Angel Kelley

  • Miami, FL

Angel Kelley - I grew up in the Florida Keys, where my love for the natural world began. Now, I live in Fort Meyers, studying environmental education at FGCU and working as a land manager for Conservation Collier. I enjoy hiking, birding, and photographing Florida’s native flora and fauna. Having spent my life exploring Florida’s wild spaces, I’m passionate about conserving these landscapes and giving back however I can. I’m thrilled to join the Next Generation Coalition and connect with others who share the same passion for the outdoors!

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Ash Turner

  • Miami, FL

Ash Turner - Hi! I'm Ash. I'm a 20 year old Environmental Science student at Florida International University. I'm not originally from Florida, instead, I grew up constantly moving from country to country. I've spent my entire life hiking, camping, and exploring the world around me, and out of everywhere I've lived, Florida has some of the most fantastic ecosystems with such unique beauty all around. It changes so quickly. From white sand beaches to cypress swamps to pine forests- it's truly amazing. I love hiking, backpacking, watching cartoons, and hanging with my cat. I hope more people will take the chance to explore the world around them and fall in love with Florida the same way I did.

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Brianne Lehan

  • Gainesville, FL

Brianne Lehan - I’ve had a strong connection with the natural world, especially animals, for as long as I can remember. But, growing up in the Daytona Beach area, I thought I didn’t like Florida. That was until I got older and began exploring. Seeing the incredible wild spaces and array of animal species that call this state home changed my mind completely. Because of this, a big part of my personal mission is to cultivate love and respect for the natural world around us here in Florida. My passion is to show how we can come together to enjoy, protect, and preserve the environment around us and that anyone can be involved in conservation, break stereotypes of all kinds, and simply do good. 

I’ve worked as a photographer/videographer for about 9 years now and am particularly drawn to multimedia work and creative storytelling. In my free time I usually still have a camera with me out exploring new trails or revisiting my favorites time and time again

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Cailyn McCarthy

  • Jupiter, FL

Cailyn McCarthy - Having grown up in the North East, I’ve always been drawn to the beauty and diversity of nature. Moving to Florida after college, I traded in the ADK mountains, Hudson Valley and fall foliage to tromp around the beautiful swamps and various different ecosystems Florida has to offer. I’m passionate about protecting these natural places for future generations and believe that fostering inclusivity is key to ensuring everyone can enjoy the outdoors!

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Diana Garcia-Ramos

  • Plant City, FL

Diana Garcia-Ramos -

Hello! My name is Diana . I was born and raised in central Florida. I am currently a senior at the University of South Florida majoring in Public Health with the end goal of applying to veterinary schools after I get my bachelor's degree . I am still unsure if I want to go into wildlife or small animal medicine . The debate is still to be determined.  I have always been a nature lover for as long as I can remember and now that I am able to make my own decisions as a young adult I spend my free time taking my dogs out on trial walks and going on new adventures exploring different parks and nature preserves with close friends.  I applied for the Next Generation Coalition as this would be a great opportunity to meet new people all over Florida who are like minded as me and who care about preserving Florida's unique trails for the next generations to come. 
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Jaime Hamilton

  • Jacksonville, FL

Jaime Hamilton - Jaime Hamilton is a dedicated nonprofit professional based in Florida, with a background in program management, fundraising, and grant writing. Currently serving as the Program Manager for the National Association for Proton Therapy, Jaime brings a passion for supporting meaningful causes and a commitment to fostering community engagement. Outside of work, Jaime enjoys exploring the outdoors and is excited to contribute to the Florida Trail Association’s Next Gen cohort, combining their love for nature with a drive to inspire the next generation of trail enthusiasts. 

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Julianna Merotto

  • Orlando, FL

Julianna Merotto - Hello! My name is Julianna! I have lived in Orlando for the past five years, attending the University of Central Florida and then working in the local resilience and sustainability field as a resilience planner. Outdoors has always been my favorite place to be whether paddling, hiking, bird-watching, or at the beach. With many sections of the Florida Trail near and dear to my heart, I look forward to involving more young people in the conservation and sustainability efforts nesecary to keep our trails beautiful, while bringing new young voices to the table that must be considered, and connecting our future leaders with the experienced and knowledgable figures who have led the work in their own generations.

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Kaylyn Glenn

  • Naples, FL

Kaylyn Glenn - Kaylyn is a 10th generation Floridian raised near the Western Everglades, where her childhood in oak hammocks and cypress tree domes fostered a deep connection to the land. Her experiences witnessing the loss of these crucial areas fueled her passion for environmental advocacy, leading to over a decade of work in regenerative agriculture and land management across the Southern United States. She brings critical knowledge to her conservation efforts and envisions a future where the Florida Trail connects the history of Old Florida with the stewards of the future, ensuring wildlands are protected for generations to come. In her free time, Kaylyn enjoys backpacking, python hunting, and trail riding with her hound dogs. 

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Matt Beverly

  • Orlando, FL

Matt Beverly - I’m Matt, a Florida native raised in the panhandle. As a current senior at the University of Central Florida, I serve as the President of the Outlanders Club where I lead outdoor recreational activities and community building with students on campus. My understanding of the importance of public outdoor spaces was fostered by hiking through pine flatwood forests and the northern terminus of the Florida Trail. My appreciation for the trail grew in college where I joined the local chapter of the Florida Trail Association and began volunteering with trail maintenance. This past summer was spent with the Forest Service in Washington state. Returning to Florida, I am honored to join the Next Generation Coalition to continue advocating for conservation and outdoor recreation. I appreciate Florida’s endemic ecosystem and its unique trails that conserve the habitats that we and thousands of other species call home.

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Matthew Hill

  • Gainesville, FL

Matthew Hill - My name is Matthew Hill, and I am a student at the University of Florida. I grew up exploring the outdoors, from family camping to backcountry primitive backpacking. Now in college, I get to study sustainability and the climate, and I plan to focus on this in my career as well. Knowing how much the environment has given me, I am so excited to be a member of the NextGen Coalition and to get more people outside! 

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Rosa Malagon

  • Sanford, FL

Rosa Malagon - As a first-generation Mexican American and Floridian, Rosa grew up in Central Florida. Her passion for social justice and wanting to create more equitable and inclusive spaces led her to pursue her master’s degree in social work from the University of Central Florida. In her current role, she connects with nonprofits looking to expand their capacity through funding opportunities. In her spare time, Rosa runs a hiking group in the Central Florida area centered around creating safe spaces for Brown and Black folks in the outdoors. She also enjoys kayaking in the springs and has recently gotten into birding! Rosa also believes in maintaining her connection to her Mexican roots and does so by dancing in a local Mexican Folkloric dance group. As a mother of two, Rosa wants to inspire the next generation to connect to nature and foster the same appreciation for Florida’s natural beauty as she does. 

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Stephanie Ochoa

  • Orlando, FL

Stephanie Ochoa - While pursuing a bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies, I have been afforded opportunities to explore the different environments of Florida. From trotting through flat pine woods, to trudging through swampy wetlands, I have been able to see a portfolio of the state's natural beauty. As a Next Gen leader, I strive to educate other Floridians on how we can thoughtfully interact with the organisms in our backyard. I also hope by holding space in outdoor recreation and education, those who are apprehensive about hiking can see they have their very own spot on the trail.

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Tara Hagood

  • Leesburg, FL

Tara Hagood - With a professional history of nonprofit management and facilitating workforce development initiatives, I'm an advocate for strengthening community as well as empowering, and giving people the tools to live fulfilled lives. As an avid outdoors(wo)man, I believe that includes embracing and supporting the natural world around us. My hobbies include hiking, foraging, kayaking, camping, and traveling to experience nature of all kinds. As a creative, I also take a lot of inspiration from Florida's unique ecosystems. Some of my favorite memories were made sitting around a fire, after a long day of hiking, to cook up some freshly foraged dinner and listen to the hum of the cicadas.  

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Tyler Gunther

  • Gainesville, FL

Tyler Gunther - I fell in love with hiking and backpacking on the Florida Trail about 3 years ago. As Florida keeps getting more crowded and developed, I think it's important to have places where people can get outside, connect with nature, and sleep under the stars. Florida is very lucky to have a federally designated National Scenic Trail, and I'm glad to be in a position where I can give back to the trail and help maintain this special resource. Besides being an avid hiker, I'm a first year engineering student at the University of Florida. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, playing guitar, and listening to music.

 
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Next Generation Coalition Description

TASKS

  • Actively participate in monthly meetings and workshops of the Next Generation Coalition
  • Provide input and advice to the Florida National Scenic Trail Coalition
  • Contribute to FTA communications, including the E-Blaze, Footprint Magazine, and social media platforms
  • Take part in organizing dedicated hikes and trail maintenance events
  • Help strengthen partnerships with colleges, schools, affinity groups, and other organizations
  • Engage in Florida Trail work parties, tabling events and other initiatives created by the Next Generation Coalition
  • Actively communicate with your local chapter representatives
  • Play an active role in the creation and implementation of the FTA Justice, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) initiative
TASKS

BENEFITS

  • One-year membership to the FTA
  • Complimentary FTA swag and Outdoor Pro Deals
  • Free CPR and WFA training
  • Community of like minded individuals
  • Opportunities for scholarships for professional development.
  • Networking with leaders and other professionals in the trail community including land managers, U.S. Forest Service, and National Parks
  • Excellent resume builder for those interested in careers in the outdoor industry
  • Have your social media accounts promoted by FTA, if desired
  • Opportunities for travel throughout the state of Florida
BENEFITS

REQUIREMENTS

  • Between the ages of 18 and 35
  • Passionate about the Florida Trail, outdoors advocacy, and justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the outdoors
  • Strong communication skills
  • Capacity to engage throughout the year on social media and through FTA communications
  • Available for quarterly meetings
  • Capacity to attend at least one local chapter meeting twice a year
  • Capacity to attend at least one Volunteer Work Party each year
  • Committed to serving on coalition for one year with opportunity with majority of time commitment served September-May
  • Members from the BIPOC, Latinx, LGBTQIA+ and other underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply
REQUIREMENTS

TASKS

  • Actively participate in monthly meetings and workshops of the Next Generation Coalition
  • Provide input and advice to the Florida National Scenic Trail Coalition
  • Contribute to FTA communications, including the E-Blaze, Footprint Magazine, and social media platforms
  • Take part in organizing dedicated hikes and trail maintenance events
  • Help strengthen partnerships with colleges, schools, affinity groups, and other organizations
  • Engage in Florida Trail work parties, tabling events and other initiatives created by the Next Generation Coalition
  • Actively communicate with your local chapter representatives
  • Play an active role in the creation and implementation of the FTA Justice, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) initiative

BENEFITS

  • One-year membership to the FTA
  • Complimentary FTA swag and Outdoor Pro Deals
  • Free CPR and WFA training
  • Community of like minded individuals
  • Opportunities for scholarships for professional development.
  • Networking with leaders and other professionals in the trail community including land managers, U.S. Forest Service, and National Parks
  • Excellent resume builder for those interested in careers in the outdoor industry
  • Have your social media accounts promoted by FTA, if desired
  • Opportunities for travel throughout the state of Florida

REQUIREMENTS

  • Between the ages of 18 and 35
  • Passionate about the Florida Trail, outdoors advocacy, and justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the outdoors
  • Strong communication skills
  • Capacity to engage throughout the year on social media and through FTA communications
  • Available for quarterly meetings
  • Capacity to attend at least one local chapter meeting twice a year
  • Capacity to attend at least one Volunteer Work Party each year
  • Committed to serving on coalition for one year with opportunity with majority of time commitment served September-May
  • Members from the BIPOC, Latinx, LGBTQIA+ and other underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply

Current Next Generation Projects

Project #1

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Project #2

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Completed Next Generation Projects

Project #1

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Project #2

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Next Generation

Onboarding Presentation

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For questions or more information, please reach out to our Next Generation Coordinator, Emily Padden [email protected]

1022 NW 2nd Street Gainesville, FL 32601 | Phone: (352) 378-8823 | Email: [email protected]

The Florida Trail Association is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Our Tax ID number: 23-7079720

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