For some people, being outdoors is the most effective way to unplug — soaking up some sun and being a part of nature.
But for 86-year-old Gene Bouley, and others like him, being outdoors gets his “work juices” flowing.
“I just get a high. I enjoy it. I’m restricted on what I can do now, but I still enjoy being outdoors. I went on a short hike at the Ocala National Forest earlier,” the Florida Trail Association member said.
Abe Christian, operations manager and acting executive director for the Florida Trails Association, said the nonprofit association works to build, protect and promote the 1,500-mile Florida National Scenic Trail, also known as the Florida Trail.
More than 400 volunteers and about a dozen staff members keep the association functional.
There are 19 chapters of the Florida Trail Association, including the Highlanders chapter, which covers Lake and Sumter counties.
For the past 28 years, the Highlanders chapter of the Florida Trail Association has hosted meetings to educate people about their local environment.
Danielle Montesdeoca, education and outreach coordinator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), will talk about non-native species in Florida and management strategies during the chapter’s upcoming meeting set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Leesburg Public Library, 100 E. Main St.
Bouley, who has worked with the Highlanders for the past 24 years and is finishing his third consecutive four-year term as the group’s chairperson, feels the work done by the association is indispensable because it helps educate others and makes the outdoors safely accessible by providing pathways to serene spots in nature.
The Highlanders chapter also maintains 56 miles of the Florida Trail.
“Trails don’t make themselves,” Christian said. “You get a lot of growth that comes in the spring. To maintain it, we go through and do major work parties.”
Chapters across the state form work parties of two to 50 people to clean up parts of the trail during the fall and winter. The volunteers typically cut trees from the trail’s path with chainsaws or axes, remove overgrown vegetation with chainsaws or brush cutters, and repair or place trail signage with orange paint placed strategically on the Florida Trails.
“Our trails are open to everyone. They aren’t maintained by the counties or the state, it’s all volunteers,” Bouley said. “We’ve built and maintained bridges and boardwalks over wetland. For the last few years, we’ve worked to move miles of trail from along the sides of the road to make them safer.”
The Highlanders maintain trails in the Ocala National Forest, Seminole State Forest, the Withlacoochee State Forest, and Flat Island Preserve.
As a certified activity leader with the Florida Trail Association who has led hikes and other trips, Bouley said he enjoys being part of the club because of the friends he’s made.
“We have lots of volunteers from The Villages, but we are working to get younger people on the trail doing things with us, too,” he said.
Bouley hopes the chapter’s upcoming meeting and future events will entice new members to join.
The association will host the first “Florida Trail Fest,” bringing together hikers, food trucks and entertainment to one spot for a free two-day celebration from 11 a.m. Feb. 7 through 3 p.m. on Feb. 9 at White Springs, 11016 Lillian Saunders Drive, U.S. 41, White Springs.
For more information about the association and how to join, visit Floridatrail.org.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
