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 volunteer@floridatrail.org
Award Categories
Chair’s Awards
The following awards are selected and presented at the FTA Chair’s discretion:
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 |
| 2022 | 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
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
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 |
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 |
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 | Girls Who Hike Florida |
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 |