October 12 Tuesday P/L Chapter Meeting Program: “Creating Wilderness Trail experiences in your own back yard and beyond.” With the help of David Copps we will identify patterns and features of natural landscapes, talk about recreating them in our residential areas, and maximizing the appeal of natural landscapes with trails. David is a landscape designer with more than 25 years of experience in landscape design and conservation.

October 16 Saturday P/L Blountstown/Pioneer Settlement Hike. Hike the Florida National Scenic Trail through Blountstown, and go back in time to Pioneer Days. We will meet in Tallahassee. From there we will carpool to Blountstown to walk the FNST/bikeway through town to Sam Adkins Park where Goat Days and Pioneer Days (Panhandle Pioneer Settlement) will be held. Dress appropriately for the weather, wear sturdy shoes and bring cash for the gate fee ($6.00) and lunch. For information and/or to reserve your spot (and get time and place to meet), Contact: Howard Pardue (850) 386-1494 or hpardue@comcast.net

October 16 Saturday P/L 8th Annual Moonlight Hike and Campfire. Experience the beauty of a full moon at Phipps Park in northeast Tallahassee. Short hike to a small lake, followed by a campfire and s’mores. A naturalist will be with us to call up some owls (if the owls cooperate). Sign up by Tuesday, Oct. 12th. For information and/or to sign up (and get time and place to meet), Contact: Linda Patton (850) 668-4334.

October 23 Saturday P/M Sopchoppy Hike & Plant ID. A five-mile hike on the Florida Trail along the Sopchoppy River. Participants will receive a list of trees with key field signs to aid in identification of specimens along the trail. A car shuttle will be arranged to allow for a one-way trip (north to south) which will take approximately 2 ½ hours. Limit 15 people. For information and/or to sign up (and get time and meeting place), contact: George Weaver (850) 510-3288 weaver@psy.fsu.edu

October 30 Saturday P/M Torreya Challenge Trail Care. Help maintain the Torreya Challenge Trail in Torreya State Park. We’ll clip back vegetation, remove fallen limbs, and enjoy the trail. Bring water and lunch. We will meet in Tallahassee for carpooling. For more information and/or to sign up (and get meeting time and place), Contact: Jerry Herting (850) 878-3426 or Bob Gilley (850) 557-1536

October 30 Saturday 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 natural history commentary and band young Bachman’s Sparrows. Contribution of $10/person requested for donation to Tall Timbers. Limit 24. For information and/or to sign up (and get meeting time and place), contact: Kent Wimmer (850) 523-8576 kwimmer@fs.fed.us

All activities are free unless otherwise noted.

CHAPTER MEETINGS are held the second Tuesday of each month from 7 to 9 PM in Building F, Suite 100 (U.S. Forest Service), the first building on the right as you enter Woodcrest Office Park at 325 John Knox Road, Tallahassee. The meeting room is ground level at the east end of Building F. Look for the Florida Trail signs at wooden door. For more information, contact Terry Tenold (850) 877-1612 or Linda Patton (850) 668-4334. Meetings are open to the public.

OTHER ACTIVITIES: Please read the GUIDELINES FOR OUTING PARTICIPANTS before signing up for an activity. This will make for a better outing experience for all concerned.
Click here for a copy of the Guidelines.

“P” Public welcome to participate
“M” Limited to FTA members only
“L” Leisurely
“M” Moderately difficult

VIDEO: Celebrate the survival of summer and the kick-off of the hiking season with Ern Jones’ video of paddling on the Sopchoppy River.

USED GEAR SALE: Bring your used hiking/camping gear/clothing, marked with a price, and arrive at 6:30 to display it for sale.

See old and new friends at our Fall “Homecoming.” Be there before 7:00 to get some good gear deals and enjoy ice cream and other special desserts.

September 18 Saturday P/M Apalachicola National Forest Trail Care. Help clear about 4 miles of the Florida Trail and repaint blazes on the section between US 319 and FR 321. For information and/or to sign up (and get time and place to meet), Contact: Richard Graham (850)878-3616 r_graham@lycols.com.

September 25 Saturday P/L Meetup Hike at Phipps Park. This is National Public Lands Day, so we will do a brief beautification project before or during the hike. This will be a 1.5-mile slow-and-easy hike on Coon Bottom Loop. Suitable for families with children. Sign up by Monday, September 20th so that Tallahassee Parks and Recreation Dept. has time to purchase enough project supplies for everyone. For information and/or to sign up (and get time and place to meet), Contact: Linda Patton (850) 668-4334.

All activities are free unless otherwise noted.

CHAPTER MEETINGS are held the second Tuesday of each month from 7 to 9 PM in Building F, Suite 100 (U.S. Forest Service), the first building on the right as you enter Woodcrest Office Park at 325 John Knox Road, Tallahassee. The meeting room is ground level at the east end of Building F. Look for the Florida Trail signs at wooden door. For more information, contact Terry Tenold (850) 877-1612 or Linda Patton (850) 668-4334. Meetings are open to the public.

OTHER ACTIVITIES: Please read the GUIDELINES FOR OUTING PARTICIPANTS before signing up for an activity. This will make for a better outing experience for all concerned. Click here for a copy of the Guidelines.

“P” Public welcome to participate
“M” Limited to FTA members only
“L” Leisurely
“M” Moderately difficult
“S” Strenuous

National Trails Day Event
Wakulla Station Trailhead
Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail

The Florida Trail Association, FDEP Office of Greenways and Trails, and Wakulla County are hosting a National Trails Day celebration from 9:00 a.m. to noon, including a 10:00 a.m. ceremony when the FTA will recognize the cities of Sopchoppy and St. Marks, and the county of Wakulla, for being designated as Florida Trail Gateway Communities.  The celebration will highlight the Trail and the other recreational opportunities within Wakulla County and share the role of public and private partners in helping the public enjoy these opportunities.  Many organizations will have informational tables and displays.   There is no fee for attendance. Kent Wimmer (850) 523-8576 kwimmer@fs.fed.us or Terry Tenold (850) 877-1612 totenold49@aol.

CLICK HERE FOR pdf of EVENT FLYER.

CLICK HERE FOR pdf of DIRECTIONS TO EVENT.

Loren Curro

With greatest regrets I am writing to let you know that a long-standing FTA
member, Loren Curro, died from a heart attack while hiking last Saturday.
We all know Loren as a man who was dedicated to environmental issues,
loved the outdoors, and enjoyed Chapter socials and programs. He will be
greatly missed.

His family will be holding a visitation at Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home
at 1737 Riggins Road from 3 to 5 this Thursday afternoon, May 27. Riggins
Rd. runs between Tennessee Street (East Mahan Dr) and Miccosukee Rd.
Culley’s is just down from the intersection of Miccosukee and Riggins. I hope
that those who are able will attend.

Terry Tenold
Apalachee Chapter Chair

If you wish to view/sign Culley’s guest book for Loren, go to
http://www.legacy.com/gb2/default.aspx?bookid=12180670341334

:

The Florida Trail has been reopened through Bradwell Bay per Cathy Briggs of the Apalachicola National Forest.  It is possible that if the fire situation changes, it could be closed again.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - May 23, 2010 - A team of U.S. Forest Service firefighters responded to two small wildfires in the Apalachicola National Forest that were discovered on Sunday morning. Neither pose a threat to any private homes or communities. Firefighters are working to contain these fires.  The Forest Service may conduct a burnout today to help contain the fire burning in Bradwell Bay Wilderness Area. A significant amount of smoke could result but local residents should not be alarmed at this time. The cause of the wildfires was lightning strikes.

Due to the wildfires, several trails are closed on the forest. The Florida Trail is closed through Bradwell Bay Wilderness Area. Motorists in the area may encounter smoky conditions today and tomorrow and are cautioned to drive slowly with lights on while traveling in smoky areas.

All activities are free unless otherwise noted.
Codes:
“P” Public welcome to participate
“M” Limited to FTA members only
“L” Leisurely
“M” Moderately difficult
“S” Strenuous

Please read the GUIDELINES FOR OUTING PARTICIPANTS before signing up for an activity. This will make for a better outing experience for all concerned. Click here for a copy of the Guidelines.

All activities are free unless otherwise noted.
Codes:
“P” Public welcome to participate
“M” Limited to FTA members only
“L” Leisurely
“M” Moderately difficult
“S” Strenuous

Please read the GUIDELINES FOR OUTING PARTICIPANTS before signing up for an activity. This will make for a better outing experience for all concerned. Click here for a copy of the Guidelines.

June 8 Tuesday P/L  Program: Apalachee Chapter Meeting “Wilderness First Aid.” Bring your first aid kits and worst case scenarios for an evening of Wilderness First Aid basics with Megan Eno, Florida Trail Staff, Wilderness EMT and Wilderness First Aid instructor. We will cover what everyone should have in their first aid kit, how to best prepare for a back-country trip with safety in mind and a round of injury scenarios where we can discuss as a group, “what would you do?”

June 12 Saturday P/M Fort Braden Trails Interpretive Hike - Tree and Habitat Identification. Hikers will gather at the Ft. Braden Trails trailhead at 8:15 AM. Our experts are Stan Rosenthal and Chuck Goodhart, two experienced foresters considered among the most knowledgeable in the region. Hikers should dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, bring any essential medicines, bug spray, sun block, and water. The hike will end at approximately noon with cooling refreshments. Limit 24 people. Howard Pardue (850) 386-1494 hpardue@comcast.net.

June 19 Saturday First Aid/CPR. This is an American Red Cross class that will be taught by Megan Eno and is open to members and land managers. Limit 12 people. Megan Eno (850) 523-8579 meno@fs.fed.us

June 22 Tuesday Activities Planning Meeting. Held at the U.S. Forest Service Bldg. F at 6:00 P.M. Open to all members who would like to participate. Please contact Barbara Donner at (850) 514 -4284 if you plan to attend.

All activities are free unless otherwise noted.
Codes:
“P” Public welcome to participate
“M” Limited to FTA members only
“L” Leisurely
“M” Moderately difficult
“S” Strenuous

Please read the GUIDELINES FOR OUTING PARTICIPANTS before signing up for an activity. This will make for a better outing experience for all concerned. Click here for a copy of the Guidelines.

May 11 Tuesday P/L  Program: Apalachee Chapter Meeting “Bucky McMahon – Adventure Journalist, Artist, Author.“ In 1992, Bucky McMahon, FSU graduate and native of the Southeast, published his first article with Outdoor Magazine which was to become the beginning of a long and strange adventure in the travel writing business. Come join us for an evening of story-telling which will inspire and perhaps terrify, depending on your tolerance for the wild and unusual. For more information regarding Bucky and his work visit http://www.fsu.edu/~fstime/FS-Times/Volume5/sept99web/8sept99.html.

May 15 Saturday P/L Wade Tract Birding Hike This popular hike will take you into one of the best remaining examples of old-growth long leaf pine/wire grass 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. Limit 24 people. Kent Wimmer (850) 523-8576 kwimmer@fs.fed.us.

May 15 Saturday P/M-S Bear Creek Interpretive Hike Learn about the ecosystems and plants in this part of the Talquin State Forest. We will be joined by a Division of Forestry volunteer intimately familiar with the area. Moderately strenuous with a few steep inclines. About 4 miles. Limit 12 people. Walker Banning (850) 878-2270 evenings.

May 21-23 Fri-Sun M/L Aucilla Campout Spend the weekend camping at Goose Pasture group camp visiting with our neighboring chapters from Western Gate to the Suwannee or come out for just a day to hike along the Aucilla River or sinks. On Saturday evening, a chicken dinner will be provided on a donation basis. Apalachee Chapter members are encouraged to bring a covered dish to share in lieu of a donation. Please sign up by May 7th. Barbara Donner (850) 514-4284.

All activities are free unless otherwise noted.
Codes:
“P” Public welcome to participate
“M” Limited to FTA members only
“L” Leisurely
“M” Moderately difficult
“S” Strenuous

Please read the GUIDELINES FOR OUTING PARTICIPANTS before signing up for an activity. This will make for a better outing experience for all concerned. Click here for a copy of the Guidelines.