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? 

Applications are closed. We will open applications early Summer 2024

Meet the 2023-2024 Next Generation Leaders

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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Kaley Deal

  • Chuluota, FL

Kaley Deal - For me, growing up in Florida has meant developing a strong love, and also respect, for the natural world. I’m grateful for the memories I have exploring different facets of life in this state, and I continue to be in awe of the happenings I am witness to and the things I am still learning. As I am writing this, some barred owls are hooting and hollering away just outside my window. You can often find me on the trail – I might be trying to identify a plant, watching a gator get some sun, or simply walking. I also enjoy pursuing creative ventures and playing with my pup. Looking forward to sharing in nature with y’all.

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Hattie Spring

  • Mount Dora, FL

Hattie Spring - Hattie is a second generation Floridian, an Advanced Florida Master Naturalist, and a volunteer trail maintainer, who loves all things outdoors. Paddling, backpacking, orienteering, and adventure racing are some of her favorite past times. She frequently undertakes solo adventures, and is passionate about empowering women and marginalized populations to find their footing outside and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of being out in nature. She is so excited for this awesome new opportunity to advocate for these important public lands and inspire a diverse community to experience the real Florida.

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Emily Padden

  • St. Petersburg, FL

Hello! My name is Emily, and I am a native Floridian, born and raised in Melbourne! I am a senior at the University of Central Florida, studying environmental sciences and anthropology, and I work as a research writer for a marine conservation organization. I am an avid hiker and birdwatcher and spend most afternoons relaxing in my hammock with a book or a good folk playlist. Central Florida’s FT sections are my favorite to visit for a weekend hike, and I am excited to introduce more people to this wonderful trail during my time with the Next-Gen Coalition. It’s no mystery that we as a society and global community face many environmental crises. I firmly believe that one of the best ways to build support for preventing these crises is to get more people outside to experience all the wonder our natural world has to offer. As someone lucky enough to spend much of my life outdoors while earning a higher degree in an environmental field, I feel responsible and lucky to help encourage connections to nature and help people find their inspiration while outside. 

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Cody Peacock

  • Miami, FL

Cody Peacock - What's up y'all! I'm a 7th generation Floridian born and raised in Miami, Florida. Backpacking and hiking has been a passion of mine since I was first introduced to it through scouting when I was 11 years old. Since then, I've put a few miles on my feet with different thru hikes and section hikes including a 370 mile section of the Florida Trail, the Ocean to Lake trail, and the Foothills trail in the Carolinas to name a few. Currently, I'm a member of the Granite Gear Groundskeepers team and we are a team of hikers and paddlers that clean up trails, and promote leave no trace with the main focus of leaving our public lands better! When I'm not hitting the trails, you can find me getting my groove on at music festivals and concerts, or hanging in my hammock reading a book or the back of my eyelids depending on the day.

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Zane Vesper

  • Gainesville, FL

Drawing from a lifetime of outdoor experiences and a fundamental commitment to sustainability, I am delighted to be a part of the Next Generation Coalition. My enthusiasm lies in fostering connections with nature through recreation, education, and the development of resilient communities. My academic background centers on the design and construction of our built environment, providing me with a unique perspective; as an advocate for responsible natural resource management, thoughtful place-shaping, and human-scale design, I strive to contribute valuable insights into creating physical and cultural gateways between our urban landscapes and natural environment. My hobbies include hiking, biking, backpacking, kayaking, enjoying live music, and spending time with my cat. 

 

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Aisleen Turner

  • Gainesville, FL

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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Weston Hunter

  • Gainesville, FL

My name is Weston and I'm a 5th generation Florida native from Tampa. I went to Florida Gulf Coast University where my appreciation for the Florida Wildlife Corridor and Florida Trail all started. I am an avid hiker and enjoy travelling to national parks across the country. Helping spread word and getting my hands dirty for the FTA is something I am proud to be a part of!

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Ayla Shove

  • Gainesville, FL

Bio here

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Sven Kendrick

  • Gainesville, FL

Having never grown up with the outdoors, I never expected to become an “outdoorsy person.” A few years ago, however, I went out on a limb and attended a FTA work party, and I’ve been happily falling down the rabbit hole ever since. I love the outdoor community and am so grateful to be part of such an inspiring group of people. I am an out and proud queer person whose passions include kayaking, camping, bouldering, and bringing the outdoors to more people who, like me not too long ago, don’t even know it exists.

 studying Natural Resources at FIU, you can usually find me outdoors— hiking, paddling, identifying plants and fungi, or simply basking in the awesome sights and birdsong around me. Having developed a love for learning about hiking and camping to better immerse myself in learning about the natural world, I hope to similarly empower people who have not grown up enjoying the outdoors to try to overcome any fears or self-limiting beliefs and to develop self-confidence and a profound sense of of accomplishment and joy that will foster a sense of respect and care for the natural world. I am grateful for the opportunity to advocate for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the outdoors community and hope to see you on the trail!

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Brianne Lehan

  • Gainesville, FL

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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Sarah Pierce

  • St. Augustine, FL

I'm incredibly proud to be a member of the Florida Trail Association, just like my dad, Donald Pierce, who's an Event Leader with the North Florida Trail Blazers. It's a legacy of love for the outdoors that I'm eager to pass down to the next generation, especially now that I'm a parent. I want to inspire the same deep appreciation for Florida's natural beauty in my son that my parents instilled in me. My mission within the Next Generation Coalition is clear: I'm here to encourage more families to discover, cherish, and protect the wild wonders of Florida. When I'm not out on the trails, you can find me tending to my garden, spring hopping, or exploring new corners of our beautiful state. I'm also an amateur indoor rock climber at my favorite local gym, Stone Climbing, and I love to get crafty and share my knowledge with my little one.

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Lukas Lamb

  • Gainesville, FL

I was Born in Florida but raised in Maine, I returned to Florida in 2017 to obtain my PhD at FIU to study the ecology of coastal Everglades marshes. Since 2017, I have likely spent at least 365 days tromping around and studying remote areas of the coastal Everglades, with more recent adventures taking me into Big Cypress, where I thru-hiked its 30 mi segment of theFlorida Trail in a single day. I am a strong advocate for Everglades restoration and the protection of all natural landscapes and look forward to giving back to Florida’s outdoor community while serving on the Next-Gen Coalition.

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Jamie Simison

  • Anthony, Fl

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Florida Master Naturalist, business owner, therapist, wellness educator, farmer, mother, wife, wounded warrior advocate, and seeker of wild. In my private practice, I specialize in Post Traumatic Growth and stress reduction. Facilitating groups, workshops, and retreats through Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and nature-based mindfulness, I have seen hundreds of people enhance their lives by reconnecting and remembering nature. Horses are not always accessible, but thanks to the Florida Trail, folks across the entire state are not far from a trailhead opening a portal to connect with wild lands and heal themselves. From paddling dazzling rivers to swearing through swamps, backpacking through pine forests to spotting scrub jays and seahorses, the wonders of this state will never cease to inspire awe. I feel honored joining the FTA Next Gen Coalition, bringing my passion to preserve this incredible resource for those who will follow our footsteps. 

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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 Communications and Outreach Manager, Jane Pollack janep@floridatrail.org

1022 NW 2nd Street Gainesville, FL 32601 | Phone: (352) 378-8823 | Email: fta@floridatrail.org

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

Copyright © 2024 USA

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