About us
June 4th, 2021
This group is operated by the Florida Trail Association.
We are a community who love to get outdoors to hike, backpack, paddle, and give back by way of volunteer trail maintenance.
Joining this Meetup does not constitute membership in the FTA and unless specifically mentioned, you are not required to hold an FTA membership to participate. Events which are FTA Members Only will be clearly indicated.
The Suncoast Chapter serves over 500 FTA members in Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties. We maintain The Florida National Scenic Trail between US 98 north of Lakeland and Hernando. Find out more about the FTA Suncoast chapter at https://sites.google.com/floridatrail.org/suncoastfta/.
Within these boundaries we also maintain a section of the Florida Trail Western Corridor which encompasses the Citrus, Croom, Richloam Tracts within Withlacoochee State Forest, and Green Swamp West, as well as popular loop trails within these tracts.
https://floridatrail.org/maps-and-databook/
Trail systems that we also are responsible for include Hillsborough River State Park, Little Manatee State Park, Myakka River State Park, Potts Preserve, Upper Hillsborough WMA, Terra Ceia Preserve State Park, and Withlacoochee River Park.
Our chapter regularly maintains over 200 miles of trail and offers recreational and volunteer work events throughout the region.
We work in cooperation with the US Forest Service, State Forest Service, SWFWMD, DEP, and other land managers to keep the Florida National Scenic Trail, the Western Corridor, and designated side trails open for recreational use.
We sponsor many events on non FTA designated land tracts, trail systems and waterways.
ASSUMPTION OF RISK
Certain risks are inherent in any Florida Trail Association, Inc (the "Association") activity. Each Association member, guest, or non-member participant agrees to accept personal responsibility for his or her safety, and the safety of minors accompanying such persons.
The Association cannot ensure the safety of any participants on hikes or activities. In participating in Association activities, each such person agrees to hold harmless and free from blame the Activity Leader(s) and the Association, its officers, directors, and members, for any accident, injury, or illness which might be sustained from participating in hikes or other Association activities. Neither the Association, Activity Leaders, nor landowners are in any way liable for any injury or illness I might sustain from participating in an Association activity.
By joining the Suncoast Chapter Meetup Group you are agreeing to the assumption of risk as stated above.
JOIN THE FLORIDA TRAIL ASSOCIATION
http://www.floridatrail.org/make-a-differen...

Upcoming events
36

Trail Maintenance Day 1 of 4 at Citrus Tract of Withlacoochee SF
Withlacoochee State Forest - Citrus Tract, Holder Mine Trailhead Trail 10, Inverness , FL, 4399 Trail 10, Inverness, FL, USClick Read more to see all the event details.
The FTA Suncoast Chapter will be clearing and mowing trails in the Citrus Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest south of Inverness, FL Oct 17-20. We welcome those who want to help us in the annual endeavor. This event is posted on meetup for several days, so please sign up for each day you want to volunteer.
Oct 16 is for campers to set up at Holder Mine Campground. Camping is free for volunteers. Clearing and mowing will take place Oct 17-20 beginning at 8:00 a.m. each morning. We plan to finish by Oct 20. On Oct 21 campers will break camp and head home if we've finished. Otherwise, there may be some additional work that day after breaking camp.
We will gather at the campground at 8:00 a.m. each day and depart for the worksite at 8:30 a.m. If you arrive late, it will be difficult to join your crew. The latest we expect to be back at the campground is 5:00 p.m. We may be back earlier depending on weather conditions and if the trail section planned for that day is done.
Crews consisting of three or more workers will be assigned trail to clear and mow. Workers should be capable of walking 5-6 miles a day in varying weather conditions. Tasks to be performed are mowing, clearing the trail of large limbs ahead of the mower, and some lopping of limbs growing into the trail without slowing down the mowing and at the same time keeping the work crew together. Crew members will rotate mowing. We can train you to mow on-site. We will need a few drivers with four-wheel drive vehicles to deliver gas, water, etc. to the crews.
When you sign up please indicate in the question if you want to camp, mow, clear, lop, and/or drive. You can indicate more than one. Those who can stay several days will be given priority for camping. Tent camping is preferred because of the limited number of campsites we have reserved. If you are certified by FTA to chainsaw, please let Wes Calhoun know.
Please send host Wes Calhoun your full name and a way to quickly contact you (phone, email) with any questions. You can do this privately by clicking Wes Calhoun in the attendees list and then clicking Chat with Wes. If you prefer not to use Chat, just say so. I will send you my email and phone number in case you have questions.
Each day volunteers will sign in on a form like the one at this link.
https://floridatrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FTA-Assumption-of-Risk-November-2026.pdf/ . Please set up a volunteer profile on the FTA Volunteer Hours Entry System at this link https://floridatrail.galaxydigital.com/ . Click Sign Up at the top of the page.
Trail maintenance safety information is provided for General Maintenance and for Mower & Brushcutter Operation under the topic Job Hazard Analysis at this link https://floridatrail.org/volunteer-resources/#leader-resources/. Please read these two documents. Contact Wes Calhoun if you have any questions.Camping event
Day 1 event
Day 2 event
Day 3 event
Day 4 event12 attendees
Trail Maintenance Day 2 of 4 at Citrus Tract of Withlacoochee SF
Withlacoochee State Forest - Citrus Tract, Holder Mine Trailhead Trail 10, Inverness , FL, 4399 Trail 10, Inverness, FL, USClick Read more to see all the event details.
The FTA Suncoast Chapter will be clearing and mowing trails in the Citrus Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest south of Inverness, FL Oct 17-20. We welcome those who want to help us in the annual endeavor. This event is posted on meetup for several days, so please sign up for each day you want to volunteer.
Oct 16 is for campers to set up at Holder Mine Campground. Camping is free for volunteers. Clearing and mowing will take place Oct 17-20 beginning at 8:00 a.m. each morning. We plan to finish by Oct 20. On Oct 21 campers will break camp and head home if we've finished. Otherwise, there may be some additional work that day after breaking camp.
We will gather at the campground at 8:00 a.m. each day and depart for the worksite at 8:30 a.m. If you arrive late, it will be difficult to join your crew. The latest we expect to be back at the campground is 5:00 p.m. We may be back earlier depending on weather conditions and if the trail section planned for that day is done.
Crews consisting of three or more workers will be assigned trail to clear and mow. Workers should be capable of walking 5-6 miles a day in varying weather conditions. Tasks to be performed are mowing, clearing the trail of large limbs ahead of the mower, and some lopping of limbs growing into the trail without slowing down the mowing and at the same time keeping the work crew together. Crew members will rotate mowing. We can train you to mow on-site. We will need a few drivers with four-wheel drive vehicles to deliver gas, water, etc. to the crews.
When you sign up please indicate in the question if you want to camp, mow, clear, lop, and/or drive. You can indicate more than one. Those who can stay several days will be given priority for camping. Tent camping is preferred because of the limited number of campsites we have reserved.
Please send host Wes Calhoun your full name and a way to quickly contact you (phone, email) with any questions. You can do this privately by clicking Wes Calhoun in the attendees list and then clicking Chat with Wes. If you prefer not to use Chat, just say so. I will send you my email and phone number in case you have questions. If you are certified by FTA to chainsaw, please let Wes Calhoun know.
Each day volunteers will sign in on a form like the one at this link.
https://floridatrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FTA-Assumption-of-Risk-November-2026.pdf/ . Please set up a volunteer profile on the FTA Volunteer Hours Entry System at this link https://floridatrail.galaxydigital.com/ . Click Sign Up at the top of the page.
Trail maintenance safety information is provided for General Maintenance and for Mower & Brushcutter Operation under the topic Job Hazard Analysis at this link https://floridatrail.org/volunteer-resources/#leader-resources/. Please read these two documents. Contact Wes Calhoun if you have any questions.Camping event
Day 1 event
Day 2 event
Day 3 event
Day 4 event11 attendees
Trail Maintenance Day 3 of 4 at Citrus Tract of Withlacoochee SF
Withlacoochee State Forest - Citrus Tract, Holder Mine Trailhead Trail 10, Inverness , FL, 4399 Trail 10, Inverness, FL, USClick Read more to see all the event details.
The FTA Suncoast Chapter will be clearing and mowing trails in the Citrus Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest south of Inverness, FL Oct 17-20. We welcome those who want to help us in the annual endeavor. This event is posted on meetup for several days, so please sign up for each day you want to volunteer.
Oct 16 is for campers to set up at Holder Mine Campground. Camping is free for volunteers. Clearing and mowing will take place Oct 17-20 beginning at 8:00 a.m. each morning. We plan to finish by Oct 20. On Oct 21 campers will break camp and head home if we've finished. Otherwise, there may be some additional work that day after breaking camp.
We will gather at the campground at 8:00 a.m. each day and depart for the worksite at 8:30 a.m. If you arrive late, it will be difficult to join your crew. The latest we expect to be back at the campground is 5:00 p.m. We may be back earlier depending on weather conditions and if the trail section planned for that day is done.
Crews consisting of three or more workers will be assigned trail to clear and mow. Workers should be capable of walking 5-6 miles a day in varying weather conditions. Tasks to be performed are mowing, clearing the trail of large limbs ahead of the mower, and some lopping of limbs growing into the trail without slowing down the mowing and at the same time keeping the work crew together. Crew members will rotate mowing. We can train you to mow on-site. We will need a few drivers with four-wheel drive vehicles to deliver gas, water, etc. to the crews.
When you sign up please indicate in the question if you want to camp, mow, clear, lop, and/or drive. You can indicate more than one. Those who can stay several days will be given priority for camping. Tent camping is preferred because of the limited number of campsites we have reserved. If you are certified by FTA to chainsaw, please let Wes Calhoun know.
Please send host Wes Calhoun your full name and a way to quickly contact you (phone, email) with any questions. You can do this privately by clicking Wes Calhoun in the attendees list and then clicking Chat with Wes. If you prefer not to use Chat, just say so. I will send you my email and phone number in case you have questions.
Each day volunteers will sign in on a form like the one at this link.
https://floridatrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FTA-Assumption-of-Risk-November-2026.pdf/ . Please set up a volunteer profile on the FTA Volunteer Hours Entry System at this link https://floridatrail.galaxydigital.com/ . Click Sign Up at the top of the page.
Trail maintenance safety information is provided for General Maintenance and for Mower & Brushcutter Operation under the topic Job Hazard Analysis at this link https://floridatrail.org/volunteer-resources/#leader-resources/. Please read these two documents. Contact Wes Calhoun if you have any questions.Camping event
Day 1 event
Day 2 event
Day 3 event
Day 4 event10 attendees
Trail Maintenance Day 4 of 4 at Citrus Tract of Withlacoochee SF
Withlacoochee State Forest - Citrus Tract, Holder Mine Trailhead Trail 10, Inverness , FL, 4399 Trail 10, Inverness, FL, USClick Read more to see all the event details.
The FTA Suncoast Chapter will be clearing and mowing trails in the Citrus Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest south of Inverness, FL Oct 17-20. We welcome those who want to help us in the annual endeavor. This event is posted on meetup for several days, so please sign up for each day you want to volunteer.
Oct 16 is for campers to set up at Holder Mine Campground. Camping is free for volunteers. Clearing and mowing will take place Oct 17-20 beginning at 8:00 a.m. each morning. We plan to finish by Oct 20. On Oct 21 campers will break camp and head home if we've finished. Otherwise, there may be some additional work that day after breaking camp.
We will gather at the campground at 8:00 a.m. each day and depart for the worksite at 8:30 a.m. If you arrive late, it will be difficult to join your crew. The latest we expect to be back at the campground is 5:00 p.m. We may be back earlier depending on weather conditions and if the trail section planned for that day is done.
Crews consisting of three or more workers will be assigned trail to clear and mow. Workers should be capable of walking 5-6 miles a day in varying weather conditions. Tasks to be performed are mowing, clearing the trail of large limbs ahead of the mower, and some lopping of limbs growing into the trail without slowing down the mowing and at the same time keeping the work crew together. Crew members will rotate mowing. We can train you to mow on-site. We will need a few drivers with four-wheel drive vehicles to deliver gas, water, etc. to the crews.
When you sign up please indicate in the question if you want to camp, mow, clear, lop, and/or drive. You can indicate more than one. Those who can stay several days will be given priority for camping. Tent camping is preferred because of the limited number of campsites we have reserved. If you are certified by FTA to chainsaw, please let Wes Calhoun know.
Please send host Wes Calhoun your full name and a way to quickly contact you (phone, email) with any questions. You can do this privately by clicking Wes Calhoun in the attendees list and then clicking Chat with Wes. If you prefer not to use Chat, just say so. I will send you my email and phone number in case you have questions.
Each day volunteers will sign in on a form like the one at this link.
https://floridatrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/FTA-Assumption-of-Risk-November-2026.pdf/ . Please set up a volunteer profile on the FTA Volunteer Hours Entry System at this link https://floridatrail.galaxydigital.com/ . Click Sign Up at the top of the page.
Trail maintenance safety information is provided for General Maintenance and for Mower & Brushcutter Operation under the topic Job Hazard Analysis at this link https://floridatrail.org/volunteer-resources/#leader-resources/. Please read these two documents. Contact Wes Calhoun if you have any questions.Camping event
Day 1 event
Day 2 event
Day 3 event
Day 4 event6 attendees
Past events
1785

