Before signing up for an activity, please read the “Guidelines for Outing Participants.”

May 10 Sat P/L Fort Braden Trail. Leon County Health Department, Community Health Promotion Program. Guided hikes (limit 12 people per hike) will be offered throughout the morning at 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, and 11 am. Call Connie Betterley for additional details and to register. 850-487-3146 ext. 153 connie_betterley@doh.state.fl.us. Terry Tenold will be co-leading the hike. totenold49@aol.com or 850-877-1612.

May 13 Tue Apalachee Chapter Meeting Program: “Florida’s Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail.” Beginning near Pensacola, extending around the Florida peninsula and Keys, and ending near the Georgia border, this trail is a 1,550-mile sea kayaking paradise. Doug Alderson, Florida Office of Greenways and Trails field director for this project, will show photos from nearly all of the trail’s 26 segments & discuss a new statewide group recently formed to support the trail. 7 p.m. at Woodcrest Office Park, 325 John Knox Rd., Bldg. F (first bldg. on the right). Look for Florida Trail signs on wooden door at east end of building. Free. Contact: Linda Patton (850) 668-4334.

May 17 Sat P/M Torreya State Park. Hike the Torreya Trail about 7 miles over hilly terrain and along the Apalachicola River rim swamp. Enjoy the many trees and other plants. Bring lunch, water and insect repellant. Meet at 7:00 A.M. in Tallahassee to car pool. Jerry Herting (850) 878-3426.

May 24 Sat P/L Wade Tract Birding Hike. This popular hike will take you into one of the best remaining examples of old-growth longleaf pine/wiregrass forests left in the U.S. Jim Cox, noted ornithologist with Tall Timbers Research Station, will provide commentary and show us a red cockaded woodpecker colony. Fee will be from $7 to $15 / person depending on number of participants. Limit 20 people. Kent Wimmer (850) 523-8576 or kwimmer@fs.fed.us .

Before signing up for an activity, please read the “Guidelines for Outing Participants.”

Apr. 5 Sat P/L Wakulla Birding and Wildlife Festival Fun and educational activities for the whole family. The FTA Apalachee Chapter will sponsor an information booth. Come help at the booth 1 or 2 hours, then enjoy the festival. Call for information or to help with the booth. Need 5 people. Terry Tenold (850) 877-1612 totenold49@aol.com

Apr. 8 Tuesday Program: “The Geology of Florida’s Springs” Florida has over 700 springs–possibly the largest concentration in the world– due to the presence of underlying limestone and dolostone which dissolve away over time, leaving voids that fill with water–the Floridan Aquifer System. This is both a curse and a blessing. Harley Means of the Florida Geological Survey discusses the issues facing our Florida springs.

Apr. 12 Sat P/M Shepherd Spring Hike Walk through the Cathedral of Palms in the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Have lunch at remote and pristine Shepherd Spring and perhaps catch a glimpse of the resident gator. Geologist Harley Means will be along to tell us about the spring. Approx. 6 miles. Linda Patton (850) 668-4334

Apr. 13 Sun P/L Econfina Canoe/Kayak Day Trip Leisurely paddle on beautiful, spring-fed Econfina Creek in Bay County. Limit 10 boats. Gwen Beatty (850) 942-7165

Apr. 19 Sat P/L Apalachicola National Forest Hike 4 miles on the Florida Trail from FR 321 to Oak Park Bridge. Bring water, lunch, and insect repellant, and dress in layers. Richard Graham (850) 878-3616 r_graham@lycos.com

Apr. 26 Sat P/L Spring Botany Hike at Phipps Park Guy Anglin, retired Forest Service botanist and member of the Florida Native Plant Society, will accompany us to identify trees, flowers, and other plants along the trail and in the meadows. Morning hike with optional lunch in the oak grove. Limit 12 people. Linda Patton (850) 668-4334

Mar. 1 Sat P/S Annual Bradwell Bay Wilderness Swamp Stomp
Slog about 8 miles, in the heart of the Apalachicola National Forest, through one of the largest swamp forests in Florida. Rated by BACKPACKER magazine as one of the 10 toughest hikes in the USA. If we’ve had rain, expect wading in ankle-to-waist-deep water for over half of the hike. Bring lunch, hiking sticks, and extra dry clothes and shoes. Old, but sturdy boots recommended. Kent Wimmer (850) 523-8576 kwimmer@fs.fed.us

Mar. 7-8 Fri-Sat P/M Annual Tate’s Hell Kayak Canoe Trip Meet in Sumatra at the Costal Family Restaurant at 8:30 a.m. EST. We will go to the landing to unload gear and work out the shuttle to begin a 2-day adventure through Tate’s Hell. Bring sleeping gear, food, and water for the trip. Ronny Traylor (850) 643-5517

Mar. 11 Tue Program: “Hiking the Florida Trail: 1,100 Miles, 78 Days, Two pairs of Boots, and One Heck of an Adventure.” Johnny Molloy, outdoor adventurer and prolific guidebook writer, will wow us with images of his 2005 thruhike, talk about his trail experience–the good, the bad, and the ugly– and let us in on his thoughts about the Florida Trail. His newest book is the very first narrative of a Florida Trail thruhike.

Mar. 15 Sat P/L Sopchoppy River Hike View native azaleas and other blooming wildflowers on the FNST along the Sopchoppy River in the Apalachicola National Forest. Limit 15 people. Galen Moses galenmoses@aol.com

Mar. 22 Sat P/L Annual Leon Sinks Geological Area Hike See native azaleas and dogwoods in bloom. The interpretive trail winds through scenic terrain in the Apalachicola National Forest, including four major sinks, a natural bridge, a disappearing stream, and swamps. Trailhead parking fee – call for car-pool arrangements. Limit 15 people. Terry Tenold (850) 877-1612 totenold49@aol.c

Feb. 9 Sat P/L Aucilla Sinks Hike the Florida Trail from Goose Pasture Rd south 4.3 miles along the Aucilla River as it sinks underground and reappears. Limit: 12 people. Walker Banning (850) 878-2270

Feb. 12 Tue Program: “Tales from the Top of Africa” Member Dawn Brown will present the story of her successful summit attempt of Mt Kilimanjaro (19,340 ft.), the highest peak on the African continent. She will also speak about her walking safari and descent into the Olduvai Gorge in the Angata Kiti area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area; driving safari in the Ngorongoro Crater and cultural exchange with the Massai people.

Feb. 16 Sat P/L Bradwell Bay Wilderness Hike about 5 miles on the FNST in the eastern, non-swampy part of the Wilderness. Bring water, lunch, and insect repellant, and dress in layers. Richard Graham (850) 878-3616 r_graham@lycos.com ACTIVITY CANCELLED 1/9/08

Feb. 19 Tue Activities Planning Meeting 6 p.m. US Forest Service Bldg F Jerry Herting (850) 878-3426

Feb. 23 Sat P/L Bradwell Game Farm Tract Enjoy hiking about 4 miles on old woods roads in rolling terrain through the scenic, historic Bradwell Game Farm Tract, off State Road 20 and bordering the Ochlockonee River in the Apalachicola National Forest. Sights include the Red Lodge, old cabin, pet cemetery and antique car. Terry Tenold (850) 877-1612 totenold49@aol.com

Jan. 8 Tue Program: “Trekking in Viet Nam” Journey with Apalachee Chapter members Ken and Virginia Loewe through the lush topography of this scenic country, where they hiked on rice paddy dikes, dodged motorbike traffic, enjoyed homestays, survived rickshaw rides, and sailed the Mekong Delta.

Jan. 12 Sat P/L Apalachicola National Forest Hike the Florida Trail through pine woods, about 4 miles from Hwy. 319 to FR 321. Bring water, lunch, and insect repellant, and dress in layers. Richard Graham (850) 878-3616 r_graham@lycos.com

Jan. 13 Sun P/M Fort Braden Trail Take a day off to enjoy the crisp cool weather of January while hiking approximately 6 miles on the western and central loops of the Fort Braden Trail. Gwen Beatty (850) 942-7165<

Jan. 26 Sat P/S Torreya Challenge Winter is a good season for a brisk 10-mile walk in the park up and down steep-head terrain among stately trees. Bring lunch and water. Meet at 7:30 a.m. in Tallahassee to car pool. Jerry Herting (850) 878-3426

Dec. 1  Sat  P/L  Wade Tract Birding Hike  This popular hike will take you into one of the best remaining examples of old-growth longleaf pine/wiregrass forests left in the U.S.  Jim Cox, noted ornithologist with Tall Timbers Research Station, will guide.  Fee will be from $7 to $15 / person depending on number of participants.  Limit 20 people.  Kent Wimmer (850) 523-8576   kwimmer@fs.fed.us.  

Dec. 8  Sat  P/S  Torreya Challenge  Hike the Torreya Challenge Trail (aka Rock Creek Loop) up and down hilly, wooded terrain for 10 miles.  We’ll see a variety of trees and shrubs.  Bring lunch and water.  Meet at 7:15 a.m. in Tallahassee.  Jerry Herting (850) 878-3426  

Dec. 11   Program:  “Annual Holiday Social”  Please bring a covered dish or dessert and an inexpensive item for the gift-exchange game.  Socialize with your fellow hiking and outdoor enthusiasts as we celebrate another year of hiking and outdoor adventures.  For more information, call Richard Graham, Chapter chair, at 878-3616.

Dec. 22  Sat  P/M  W.D. Lines Tract Hike  Celebrate winter solstice with a hike through the woods.  We’ll walk approximately 6.5 miles.   Bring water and a snack.  Gwen Beatty  (850) 942-7165  

Dec. 29  Sat  P/M  13th Annual Phipps Park Holiday Hike  A leisurely, all-day hike on some of the 8-mile hiking trail at Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park, centered around a restful lunch break at the Oak Hammock.  Linda Patton   (850) 668-4334 

Nov. 4 Sun P/L Aucilla River Hike Hike about 6 miles on the northern portion of the Aucilla River section of the Florida Trail. We will pass the Aucilla rapids. Limit: 12 people. Vic and Carlene Danart (850) 997-1818

Nov. 9-11 Fri-Sun 55^th Annual Florida Folk Festival at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center in White Springs. (Rescheduled from May because of forest fires.)

Nov. 10 Sat P/M FNST Work Hike Help with autumn maintenance of the Trail in the east section of the Apalachicola Forest. Richard Graham (850) 878-3616 r_graham@lycos.com

Nov 13 Program: “The Nature Conservancy” Deborah Keller, coordinator of TNC’s Northwest Florida Greenway Project, will talk about the urgency of preserving Florida’s remaining open spaces and methods of funding the protection of high-quality habitats. She will highlight the use of military lands as conservation and recreational places. (Related hike on the FNST at Eglin Air Force Base: November 17)

Nov. 17 Sat P/L Alaqua Hike Hike about 5 miles on the scenic Alaqua Section of the FNST at Eglin AFB, southwest of DeFuniak Springs. Choctawhatchee Chapter members will join us. The all-day event will take 9 or 10 hours, including the 260 mile round-trip drive. Limit 15 people. (Note: Follow-up to Nov. 13 Chapter meeting program.) Linda Patton (850) 668-4334.

Nov. 18 Sun P/L Sopchoppy River Portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail Work up an appetite for Thanksgiving and maybe see some turkeys or other wildlife on this easy 5-mile hike along the Sopchoppy River in the Apalachicola National Forest. Limit: 15 people. Galen Moses (850) 926-9476 galenmoses@aol.com

Nov. 24 Sat P/L 6th Annual Moonlight Hike Experience the beauty and fun of a walk under the full moon in Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park in northwest Tallahassee. Learn about nocturnal animals’ adaptations to the dark. Campfire, music and s’mores after the hike. Limit 20 people. Linda Patton (850) 668-4334

Oct. 6 Sat P/M FNST Work Hike Help with autumn maintenance of the Trail in the east section of the Apalachicola Forest. Richard Graham (850) 878-3616 r_graham@lycos.com

Oct 9 Program: “New Zealand and the Milford Track” Chapter member Dawn Brown will present her hiking and kayaking trip to New Zealand, including a hike of the dramatic and awesome Milford Track. Milford Track traverses the heart of Fiordland National Park–the wildest, wettest and most isolated part of the country–and has long been described as “the finest walk in the world.”

Oct. 12-14 Fri-Sun P/S Fort Braden Trail F-Troop Project Work will include rerouting trail, building boardwalks through marshy areas, and constructing bridges. Howard Pardue (850) 523-8525 or 386-1494 hpardue@fs.fed.us

Oct. 16 Tuesday Activities Planning Meeting 6 p.m., US Forest Service Bldg F Jerry Herting (850) 878-3426

Oct. 20 Sat P/L Apalachicola Canoe Trip Canoe the Apalachicola River from Fort Gadsden to the City of Apalachicola. Meet at Fort Gadsden at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to begin trip. Ronny Traylor (850) 643-5517 rtraylor@fs.fed.us

Oct. 27 Sat P/L Phipps Park Work Hike Easy lopping and clipping. Lunch at the Oak Hammock. Bring work gloves, and loppers and/or clippers if you have them. LIMIT 10. Linda Patton (850) 668-4334

Oct. 28 Sun P/M Torreya Park Hike The Torreya Trail (aka River Bluff Loop) meanders 7 miles through the Apalachicola River floodplain forest and over adjoining hilly, wooded uplands. Bring lunch and water. Meet at 7:15 a.m. in Tallahassee. Jerry Herting (850) 878-3426