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.

2023 Award Winners were announced at the FTA Annual Meeting in April 20th, 2024 in Gainesville, FL at the main library downtown.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

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.
Year Recipient Chapter
1984 Ernie Baldini IR
1984 Ashby Box IR
1984 Mary Anne Twyford AC
1985 Fred Mulholland SC
1985 George Wysock SC
1986 Wiley Dykes, Sr CF
1986 Karl Eichhorn IR
1987 Saima Takken HS
1988 Cheri McDermott FC
1989 Ethel Palmer SC
1990 Frank Orser FC
1990 Deborah Stewart-Kent TB
1991 Sylvia Dunnam SU
1992 Dick Schuler HS
1993 Paul Cummings LC
1993 Sunny Piskura LC
1994 Ken & Thelma Carpenter HH
1995 June Atkinson CF
1996 Don & Marie Meinders SC
1997 Bernie Simms TB
1998 Joan Hobson HI
1999 Kent Wimmer AC
2000 Carol Ann Schiller SU
2000 Fred Schiller SU
2001 Pete Durnell CF
2001 Bill Halpen LC
2002 Mary Anne Freyer CF
2002 Rick Guhse TT
2003 Sandra Friend FC
2004 Pam Hale IR
2005 Tom Daniel CH
2006 Helen Gallops BC
2007 Eileen Wyand SC
2008 Vernon Compton CH
2009 Ed Wolcott FC
2010 Julia Thompson CF
2011 Richard Rice SU
2012 Lou and Rachael Augspurg CF
2013 Melissa Bruneau HC
2013 David Waldrop HC
2014 Judy Trotta FC
2014 Eve Bailey CH
2015 David Costakis FC
2015 Don Mock FC
2016 Linda Benton TB
2017 Carlos Schomaker AA
2018 Janice Wells HC
2019 Kay Ferrara HH
2019 Howard Pardue AC
2021 Susan Bennett Manns BC
2023 Leslie Wheeler NF
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.
Year Recipient Chapter
2005 Ernie & Jean Baldini IR
2005 Paul & Sherry Cummings LC
2005 Carl & Sylvia Dunnam SU
2005 Wiley Dykes, Sr CF
2005 Karl & Betty Eichhorn IR
2005 Mary Anne Freyer CF
2005 Jim Kern TB
2005 Charlie Monson BC
2005 Fred Mulholland SC
2005 Ethel Palmer SC
2005 Margaret Scruggs FC
2005 Dorothy Strickhouser BC
2006 Rose & Jim Kellerman HC
2006 Frank Orser FC
2006 Jim Pace HC
2006 Fred & Carol Ann Schiller SU
2006 Dick Schuler HS
2006 Bill & Linda Taylor HS
2006 Elizabeth VanMierop FC
2007 Dick Bingham SC
2007 Dean Drake LC
2007 Charles & Virginia Edwards SC
2007 Dennis Nymark SC
2007 Bernie & Jackie Simms TB
2007 Ted & Trudy Winsberg LC
2007 Ed Wolcott FC
2008 Kenneth Smith FC
2009 Ted Kmet FC
2009 Pat & Allan Pearce TB
2010 Roland Alderman HC
2011 Pete Durnell CF
2011 Lou & Rachel Augspurg CF
2011 Bea Rogers and Dean Drake LC
2011 Joan & Bruce Hobson HI
2012 Robert Schultz HI
2012 Bea Rogers LC
2013 Howard Pardue AC
2013 Jon Phipps CF
2014 Bill Reed WG
2014 George Brinkman FC
2015 Margaret Brabham LC
2016 Tom Clements TT
2016 Tom Daniel CH
2016 Monika Hoerl HC
2016 Betty Wilson AA
2016 Chuck Wilson AA
2016 Fred Davis LC
2017 Francis Keenan HI
2017 Bobbi Keenan HI
2017 Sandra Friend IR
2018 David Denham BC
2017 Ralph Hancock SC
2019 Ted Youngblood SC
2021 Howard Pardue AP
2022 Mike & Lynn Thompson HH
2022 Dawn Griffin AP
2023 Vernon Compton WG
2023 Pamela Hale IR
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.
Year Recipient
2010 Mark Warren
2010 Don & Janice McDonald
2010 M.C. Davis
2011 James Burnett
2013 Jim Wood
2016 Allen Broussard Conservancy
2017 Beth Jackson – Orange County
2017 Jared Barber – Big Cypress NPS
2018 Bob Mindick – Osceola County
2021 Edwin McCook – Suwannee River WMD
2023 Nathan Boyles – Okaloosa County Commissioner District 3
2023 Stephen Stipkovits – Florida State Forest, Little Big Econ and C. H. Bronson State Forests

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.
Year Recipient Chapter
2001 Kenneth Smith FC
2001 Alton Snellgrove TB
2001 Ed Wolcott FC
2002 Tom Daniel CH
2002 Frank Oser FC
2002 William Summers SC
2003 Paul Cummings LC
2004 Mary Pat Cross WG
2004 Dean Drake LC
2004 Joan Hobson HI
2004 Dick Schuler HS
2004 Ted Youngblood SC
2005 Jim Hernandez HC
2005 Jack Horner AA
2005 Bea Rogers LC
2006 Sam Bigbie SU
2006 Jim Glancy TT
2006 Wally Hill CF
2006 Don Neale SU
2006 Antony Rawson LC
2007 Monika Hoerl HC
2007 Butch Siegel, Jr. CH
2007 Gerry Wald FC
2008 Bob Deckert CH
2008 David Denham HH
2008 L.B. Jones WG
2009 Ron Peterson PC
2009 Jon Phipps CF
2009 Bill Power TT
2009 Ed Walker WG
2010 Hugh Bell PC
2010 Bob Yost HC
2010 Jim & Rose Kellerman HC
2010 Steve Kuhar WG
2011 Ian Ajac HC
2011 David “Bill” Coleman CF
2011 Monika Hoerl HC
2011 Francis & Bobbi Keenan HI
2011 Ron Peterson CH
2011 Mike Thompson HH
2011 David Waldrop HC
2011 Ed Williamson WG
2012 Jim Aldridge HC
2012 Robert Browder WG
2012 Scott Johnston CF
2012 Andre Marcil SU
2012 David Sibley IR
2013 Lori Burris TT
2013 Janie Hamilton TB
2013 Doug Kucklick CF
2013 Steve Meyers LC
2013 Shawn Riley IR
2013 Ronny Traylor AC
2014 Bill Martin SC
2014 Ray Morgan WG
2014 Linda Patton AC
2014 Bill Read FC
2015 Lou & Rachael Augspurg CF
2015 Richard Graham AC
2015 Janie Hamilton TB
2015 Eric Lewis AC
2015 Robin Luger FC
2015 Bernice Nemeth HI
2015 Steven Nemeth HI
2016 Lou Augspurg CF
2016 Rachael Augspurg CF
2016 Jean Bub AA
2016 Michael Tucker AC
2016 Bill Turman CF
2016 John Grob HI
2016 Gene Molnar HI
2016 Hazel Molnar HI
2016 Eric Lewis PC
2016 RJ Sikora SU
2016 Stephanie Sikora SU
2016 Linda Taylor BB
2017 Larry Alesi HH
2017 Vic & Carlene Danart AC
2017 Abe Christian BB
2018 Jeff Andrews LC
2018 Tom Clements TT
2018 Gordy Hawkins SC
2018 David Robinson HH
2018 Carl Rodkey BB
2018 Jo Anne Rodkey BB
2018 Doug Sphar IR
2018 Debra Taylor AA
2019 Bill Taylor BB
2019 Richard Quinn TT
2019 Barbara Quinn TT
2020 Darryl Updegrove PH
2021 Ed Williamson WG
2021 Rick Byrnes LC
2022 David Maltby IR
2022 Don Ravinski WG
2023 Jerry Rogers CF
2023 Keith LeFevre CH
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.
Year Recipient Chapter
2019 Bill Alexander IR
2019 Rachael Augspurg CF
2019 Alan Hearn PC
2019 Patrick Kerr HH
2019 Linda Taylor BB
2019 Mike Williams SC
2020 Don Ravinski WG
2020 Bill Turman CF
2021 Mike Tucker AP
2021 Patrick Ellis HH
2021 Richard Warren BC
2021 Don Ravinski WG
2021 Terry Heaps AA
2021 Jerry Rogers CF
2022 Mike Tucker AP
2022 David Gale BC
2022 Tom Drake CF
2022 Eugene Stoccardo CF
2022 Jeff Doren HH
2022 Walter Ahern LC
2022 Brenda Zenk NF
2022 Darryl Updegrove PC
2022 Brad Henderson WG
2022 Rhonda Wise HC
2023 Joseph “Java Joe” Dabes SC
2023 Cody Peacock BC
2023 Margaret “Hammer” Nonnemacher BB
2023 Pete Law CF
2023 Paul “Bart” Pace HC
2023 Mike Tamborrino HI
2023 Doug Kverek IR
2023 Douglas Adams LC
2023 Hattie Spring NextGen
2023 John Hinton NF
2023 Dan Peterson SH
2023 Rich Quinn TT
2023 Howard Hayes AC
2023 Ken Doucette PH
2023 Dick Ward HH
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.
Year Recipient Chapter
1999 Lou & Rachael Augspurg CF
1999 Jim & Nancy Escoffier IR
1999 Ed Moore WG
1999 Warren Resen LC
1999 Carol Ann Schiller SU
2000 Lou & Rachael Augspurg CF
2000 Ken & Thelma Carpenter HH
2000 Tom & Kay Clements TT
2000 Vernon Compton WG
2000 Pete Durnell CF
2000 Dawn Griffin AC
2000 Ben Hale FC
2000 Bill Halpen LC
2000 Sidney McDonald PC
2000 Phil Niswander TB
2000 Dennis Nymark SC
2000 Daisy Palmer LC
2000 Linda Patton AC
2000 Jon Phipps CF
2000 Marion Pyotsia SC
2000 Dick Rice SC
2000 Kenneth Smith FC
2000 Daryl Wells TB
2001 Barbara Bigbie SU
2001 Rebecca Bowman CF
2001 Tom Daniel CH
2001 Cheryl Ellefson CF
2001 Rick Guhse TT
2001 Bobbie & Francis Keenan HI
2001 Judy Minter CF
2001 Ted & Dottie Peppel SC
2001 Judy & Bill Perham LC
2001 Jeff Walters CF
2002 Ernie Baldini IR
2002 Sam Bigbie SU
2002 Myrna Clayton CF
2002 Carl Dunnam SU
2002 Dan Knippel TT
2002 Ethel Palmer SC
2002 Steve Rajtar CF
2002 Dick Schuler HS
2002 Paula Snellgrove TB
2002 Carl Strohmenger SC
2002 Lee Suberman CF
2002 Ronnie Traylor AC
2002 Ted Wilkins FC
2002 Ted & Trudy Winsberg LC
2003 Linda Benton TB
2003 Rick Binder TT
2003 Harold & Juanita Demarest PC
2003 Tony Flohre IR
2003 Ted Kmet FC
2003 Donna Korora TT
2003 Don Neale SU
2003 Lynn & Mike Thompson HH
2003 Leslie Wheeler TB
2004 Tom Clements TT
2004 Tom Daniel CH
2004 Jim & Nancy Escoffier IR
2004 Peggy Grantham WG
2004 Joan & Bruce Hobson HI
2004 Joan Jarvis CF
2004 Bob & Louise Keefe CF
2004 Russ Klett CF
2004 Nancy Laubenthal CF
2004 Dell Loyless CF
2004 Tom McLain HH
2004 Charlie Monson BC
2004 Steve Rajtar CF
2004 Warren Resen LC
2004 Bea Rogers LC
2004 Elizabeth VanMierop FC
2005 Joe Allen IR
2005 Lou & Rachael Augspurg CF
2005 Jan Eckerd AC
2005 Helen Gallops BC
2005 Jack & Liz Hailman TT
2005 Louise Hillen TT
2005 Jack & Gerry Horner AA
2005 Beth Kelso AA
2005 Virginia Lane HH
2005 Billy & Tammy Luper TB
2005 Eric Medley TB
2005 Jan Meeks SC
2005 Steve Meyers LC
2005 Judy Minter CF
2005 Rodney Posey CF
2005 Beth & Walter Schoenfelder SU
2005 Rob Smith, JR. CF
2005 Alton Snellgrove TB
2005 Dale Weddle IR
2006 Eve Barbour CF
2006 Virginia Barton CF
2006 Ian Brown CF
2006 Roland Burrows HH
2006 Morena Cameron IR
2006 Phyllis Duenas CF
2006 Pat Hastings AA
2006 Gail Irwin LC
2006 Mick Karolick IR
2006 Gregory Lane HH
2006 Richard Louden IR
2006 JoAnn Luce AA
2006 Audrey Minnis TT
2006 Bill Power TT
2006 Rosalind Suit OS
2006 Mary Teed BC
2006 Terry Tenold AC
2006 Ken Williams HC
2006 Catherine Winter CF
2007 Bob Coveny FC
2007 Gretchen Dewey TT
2007 Kay Ferrara HH
2007 Frank Grieco AA
2007 Joel Kaiser TT
2007 Esther Muram LC
2007 Edythe Pekin LC
2007 Mike Pisacano TT
2007 Roger Rose AA
2007 Barbara Schumucker TT
2007 Kenneth Smith FC
2007 Betty Wilson AA
2008 Mitch Almon SC
2008 Margaret Brabham LC
2008 Jean Bub AA
2008 Lori Burris TT
2008 Brenda Carneri AA
2008 Paul Cummings LC
2008 Cheryl Gardner WG
2008 Paul Guyon LC
2008 Mary Halferty HH
2008 Janie Hamilton FC
2008 Cate Kearns HH
2008 Wallis Mayo CH
2008 Judy Minter CF
2008 Candy & Frank Retter HH
2008 Carol Rose AA
2009 Lori Dillon HH
2009 Deanna Filkins HH
2009 Diana Fitzpatrick HH
2009 Charles Hausladen CF
2009 Gordon Johnson LC
2009 Wallis Mayo CH
2009 Chuck Wilson AA
2010 Larry Alesi HH
2010 Bill Allison HH
2010 Judy Harris HH
2010 Jerry Herting AC
2010 Jay Levitt TT
2010 Andre Marcil SU
2010 Dot Morrison FC
2010 Galen Moses AC
2010 Teresa Newgent AC
2010 Dan Riefler HH
2010 Bob Wallace SU
2010 Jean Williamson CF
2010 Allan Young HH
2011 Eve Barbour CF
2011 Wallis & Paul Mayo CH
2011 Susan Creel WG
2011 Lou & Rachel Augspurg CF
2011 Ruby Tebo CF
2011 Kim Himmelman TT
2011 Aubrey Minnis TT
2011 Kay Ferrara HH
2011 Brown, Elizabeth HH
2011 Jacquelyn Kelley AA
2011 Donna Ellis SU
2011 Ken Williams HC
2012 Carl Anglesea CF
2012 John & Pat Carroll TT
2012 Howard Lunsford LC
2012 Mike Levitt LC
2012 Mary Miller LC
2012 Debra Lawrence LC
2012 Alan Collins LC
2012 Randy Creel WG
2012 Robert Schultz HI
2012 Barbara Bigbie WG
2012 RJ & Stephanie Sikora SU
2012 Linda Patton AC
2012 Bonnie McLaughlin AA
2012 Tom Daniel CH
2013 Marion Finch LC
2013 Russell Klette CF
2013 Bill & Mary Ellen Milton HI
2013 Betty Piper HC
2013 Holly Porter-Fair CF
2013 Helen Wigersma WG
2014 Kay Ferrara HH
2014 Deanna Filkins HH
2014 Kean Engie WG
2014 Janet Walsh CF
2014 Tom Wackendorf AA
2015 Virginia Barton CF
2015 Elaine Fisher CF
2015 John Grob HI
2015 Gain Irwin LC
2015 Joan Jarvis CF
2015 Doug Kucklick CF
2015 Scott Lunsford LC
2015 Steve Meyers LC
2015 Roy Moore LC
2015 Shannon Moore LC
2015 Mary Nixon CF
2015 Bill Roy FC
2015 Connie Scott CF
2015 Judy Trotta FC
2015 David Waldrop HC
2015 Jean Williamson CF
2016 Bill Turman CF
2016 Jackie Warren CF
2016 Karen Hileman CF
2016 Elaine Fisher CF
2016 Patrick Rollin NA
2016 Howard Pospesel HI
2016 Carmen Pospesel HI
2016 Diane Roesch HI
2017 Bill Alexander IR
2017 Jim Couillard TT
2017 Shannon Moore LC
2017 Tom McDaniel HH
2017 Ed Williamson WG
2017 Gene & Terry Bouley HI
2017 John McArdle TT
2017 Pam Swanson CF
2018 Rita Black LC
2018 Kathleen Bonvouloir HH
2018 Kay Ferrara HH
2018 Joe Gardner BB
2018 Barb Halls BB
2018 Barbara Johnston HH
2018 Kathy Lamb HI
2018 Eric Lewis PC
2018 Randy Madison TB
2018 Patty Riskosky BB
2018 Chelsey Stevens CF
2018 Chris Stevens CF
2018 Wade Williston HI
2019 Rene Bonvouloir HH
2019 Robert Grosswald HH
2019 Carl Kepford AA
2019 Bill & Ginger Leach HI
2019 Karen Smith HH
2019 Darryl Updegrove PC
2019 Jackie Warren CF
2020 Richard (Dick) Ward HH
2020 Steve Grieger CF
2020 Brenda Carneri AA
2020 Ernie Lynk BC
2021 Richard Warren BC
2021 Kay Ferrara HH
2021 Debra Taylor AA
2021 Susan Bennett Manns BC
2021 Helen Wigersma WG
2021 Christine Hale WG
2021 Cheryl Gardner WG
2021 Barbara Ross AA
2021 James Fait AA
2021 Bill Alexander IR
2021 Janet Miller LC
2021 Mary Helen Miller LC
2021 Jennifer Jones-Reynolds LC
2022 Bruce Zollner HI
2022 Mike Barnett HI
2022 Alan Holdsworth HH
2022 David Maltby IR
2022 Karl Byars WG
2022 Jim Peaks IR
2022 Darryl Updegrove PC
2022 Cody Peacock BC
2022 Janet Miller LC
2022 Jerry Rogers CF
2023 Mike Tucker AC
2023 Kelley Galvin CF
2023 Jim Wilson CH
2023 Kathleen Bonvouloir HH
2023 Kathy Leavers HI
2023 Bett Connell LC
2023 Ira Eick NF
2023 Tracey Tyrell NF
2023 Christina Doucette PH
2023 Dorothy Morrison SH
2023 Richard Knapp TT
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.
Year Recipient Chapter
2009 Lou & Rachael Augspurg CF
2009 David Denham HC
2009 Peggy Grantham WG
2009 Mickey Miller AA
2009 Bea Rogers LC
2010 Sam Bigbie SU
2010 Paula Miller TT
2010 Nancy Needs HC
2010 Rodney Posey CF
2011 Bea Rogers LC
2011 Rose & Jim Kellerman HC
2011 Steve Rajtar CF
2011 Esther Muram HH
2012 Judy Minter CF
2012 Bea Rogers LC
2013 Peggy Grantham WG
2013 Liane Plumhoff HC
2013 Tom Regan CF
2013 Joseph Rosenberg LC
2015 Alan Collins LC
2015 Mary Slater Linn CF
2016 Dawn Griffin AC
2017 Margaret Brabham LC
2017 Jim & Nancy Escoffier IR
2017 Tony Flohre IR
2017 Dawn Griffin AC
2017 Valerie Johnson LC
2017 Howard Lunsford LC
2017 Mary Miller LC
2017 Bill & Mary Ellen Milton HI
2017 Roy Moore LC
2017 Jackie Warren CF
2018 Rachael Augspurg CF
2018 Lenny Chew SC
2018 Ryan Lusk LC
2018 Mike Thompson HH
2019 Pam Swanson CF
2020 Chuck & Betty Wilson AA
2020 Ed Williamson WG
2021 Melissa Updegrove PC
2021 Carmel Hind HH
2021 Dennis Hardy HI
2021 Melodie Hardy HI
2021 Alan Collins LC
2022 Don Valcheff HI
2022 Andy J. Niekamp WG
2022 David Griswold HH
2022 Gary Wasserman IR
2022 Rachel Augsperg CF
2023 Carmel Hind HH
2023 Dianne Dammiller HI
2023 David Newkirk IR
2023 Mary Miller LC
2023 Walter Bryant NF
2023 Leo Dugger SH
2023 Maria Fielder SH
2023 Barbara Quinn TT

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

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.
Year Recipient
2010 Brasington’s Adventure Outfitters
2011 David Butcher
2012 Stephen Stipkovits
2013 Blackwater River State Forest Gary
2013 Werner
2014 Amy Conyers
2014 Warren Poplin
2014 Steve Elkinton, National Park Service
2015 Hazen Mitchell
2016 Nels Parson
2016 John Strayer
2017 Jim Blush
2017 Jeff McLemore
2017 Hidden Valley Park, Schuler Family
2018 Robert Brooks, Wekiwa Springs SP
2018 Jason Ballard, FWC
2018 Jim Duby, Seminole County
2018 Michelle Hoffman, Orianne Center
2018 Mark Jenkins, FWC
2018 Dean Prescott
2018 Ralph Risch, Seminole State Forest
2019 Anastasia Dieter, REI
2019 Matt Favero, Z-Packs
2019 Monrad Chandler
2020 Chris Johansen, Eglin Air Force Base
2020 Bijaya (BJ) Kattel, South Florida Water Management District (retired)
2021 Loisa Kerwin
2022 Reverend Arlen & Mrs. Lana Payne – Big Cypress New Testament Baptist Church
2022 Sean Blanton – Run Bum Tours
2022 FTthruHIKE
2023 Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners
2023 Sheila Fitzgerald
2023 Bob and Judy Erdle
2023 Deb Bussinger
2023 Alex Creager
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.
Year Recipient
2014
Troy Moon, Kimberly Blair, John Blackie, Pensacola News Journal
2016 Megan Digeon
2017
Greg Stanley & Katie Klann, Naples Daily News
2018 Sandra Friend, Florida Hikes
2019 Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel
2020 Misit Little, Orange Blaze Podcast
2021 Jessica Mills, Homemade Wanderlust
2021 Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel
2022 Chris and Chelsey Stevens “Sunshine State Seekers”

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
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.
Year Recipient
2016 REI
2017 Florida Alternative Breaks
2018 UF Engineers for Sustainability
2019 Groundwork Jacksonville
2020 Girls Who Hike Florida
2023 Creekside 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