FTA Highlanders Chapter
Uniting Trailseekers and Trailkeepers Across Lake & Sumter County
Our Mission
We assist the Florida Trail Association in its goals to build and maintain hiking trails across the State of Florida, while providing educational and recreational opportunities for our members and the public that inspire others to care for our diverse natural spaces.
Our Section
The Highlanders section of the Florida National Scenic Trail is between the Bear Pond section of the Seminole State Forest in the south off Highway 46 at (28.815926, -81.426277) to Highway 40 in the Ocala National Forest in the north at (29.174132, -81.692990).
Click below to bring up the map of the entire Florida National Scenic Trail:
About Us
Since 1997, the Highlanders Chapter of the Florida Trail Association has provided a gathering place for hikers in the heart of Central Florida. The chapter regularly maintains 56 miles of the Florida Trail and offers educational seminars and recreational events throughout the region. Many hiking and kayaking events are also planned by members and published in the Highlanders Newsletter.
The Highlanders chapter maintains the Florida National Scenic Trail in the Ocala South Section in the National Forest, as well as the Cassia Section including the north part of Seminole State Forest, Royal Trails segment, and LaNoChe Boy Scout Camp segment. They are also responsible for the Croom Hiking Trail running from Hog Island to River Junction in Withlacoochee State Forest in south Sumter County. They also maintain one loop trail, the Daubenmire Trail in Flat Island Preserve, in Leesburg.
Events
We have numerous events throughout the year ranging from fun social events, trail maintenance, educational classes/sessions, hikes, backpacking trips, and more!
To see what we’ve been up to and what events we have planned over the next couple of months , please see our Newsletter below:
Join the FTA
For $35 a year you can become a member of the Florida Trail Association and the Highlanders Chapter.
If you’d like more information, please reach out to our Membership Chair, Mike Tamburrino at M_Tamburrino@msn.com
Chapter Leadership
Chair
Eugene Bouley
Vice Chair
Victoria Henne
Secretary
Ginger Leach
Treasurer
Bill Leach
Trail Coordinator
Hugh (Sandy) Bell
Activity Chairs
Mary Ellen Milton, and Bobbi Keenan
Membership Chair
Mike Tamburrino
Chapter Coordinator
Bobbi Keenan
Outreach Coordinator
Cathy Leavers
Newsletter Editor and Webmaster
Tara Hagood
Program Chair
Lavon Silvernell
Newsletter Editor and Webmaster
Tara Hagood
Chapter Council Representatives
John Grob and Tara Hagood
Chapter Photographer
Diane Dammiller
Grant Writer
Dee Bender
Quartermaster and Archivist/Historian
Christine Pena
Media PR Coordinator
Glenda Moore
Calendar Editor
Bobbi Keenan
Memorial Committee Chair
Eugene Bouley
Recycling Coordinator
Bill Leach
FTA Highlanders Chapter
FTA Highlanders Chapter
Our chapter's officers, coordinators, and trailmasters are dedicated to fostering a sense of community among all of our members of every age, so please feel free to reach out or come join us at one of our upcoming events!