Juniper Prairie Wilderness Volunteer Work Party 2025 (FTA) - SAT, 1/4/25

Name: Juniper Prairie Wilderness Volunteer Work Party 2025 (FTA) - SAT, 1/4/25
Start: 2025-01-04T08:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-01-04T15:00:00-05:00
Location: Lake George Ranger Station - Ocala National Forest

Schedule

Sat Jan 04 2025 at 08:00 am to 03:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Lake George Ranger Station - Ocala National Forest | Silver Springs, FL

ONFA Team - we need THIRTY (30) trail-clearing volunteers to help REOPEN the Juniper Prairie Wilderness and the Yearling Trail (the same trail that inspired The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings). Please consider joining, as there is a significant need for assistance.
Key Info:
The Florida Trail Association will manage the event
Event runs from Friday - Monday (1/3/25 - 1/6/25) - you can sign up for Friday and Monday events at Juniper Wilderness Volunteer Work Party 2025 | Florida Trail Association
Meeting Location: Lake George Ranger Station - 17147 E. Highway 40, Silver Springs, FL 34488
Work to be done:
Looping, weeding, and tree cutting.
Some members may be on the clean-up teams disposing of cut materials off the trail
Work will be divided into groups based on skill level and distance to be covered.
The long-distance team may hike up to 8 miles
Overnight Camping is available at the OHV Center in the Ocala NF (near Salt Springs and FR 11): If you would like to camp overnight, please sign up at the following link: Juniper Wilderness Volunteer Work Party 2025 | Florida Trail Association
Event Information:
Partnership with the Florida Trail Association
Join the Black Bear Chapter of the FTA in a week of work in the Juniper Wilderness on the Ocala National Forest. The Wilderness is a unique part of the Florida Trail, and it is maintained with hand tools only, bringing a legacy of skill and hard work to each day. This project has an exceedingly long history, and it is a wonderful place to meet up with old friends, make new friends, and enjoy some fine Florida winter weather.
What to expect: Juniper Prairie Wilderness is in the Ocala Forest between Juniper Springs and Pat’s Island. This is a unique project on the Florida Trail because it exclusively uses hand tools without any mechanized equipment. Work can be strenuous at times, and some crews will be required to hike up to 8 miles a day.
What to bring: For all projects you will need to bring a daypack, sturdy boots, and appropriate clothing. Long pants are required to do trail work and long-sleeved shirts are recommended. Sunscreen and bug spray are also advised.
IF YOU WANT TO CAMP OVERNIGHT (see below):
Camping: Camping is provided at the OHV Center on the National Forest near Salt Springs. There are full bath house facilities and electricity in the kitchen area under a large pavilion. RVs are welcome to this project but there are no hookups available.
Meals: All meals, Thursday dinner - Tuesday lunch will be provided. Please by plan to arrive no earlier than 4pm on January 2nd to set up camp and enjoy dinner with the crew. The workdays will be Friday - Tuesday.
What to bring: For all projects you will need to bring a daypack, sturdy boots, and appropriate clothing. Long pants are required to do trail work and long-sleeved shirts are recommended. Sunscreen and bug spray are also advised. You will need to provide your own camping gear, this includes a tent, sleeping bag, lunch container (baggie or tupperware,) and personal items.
Directions: From intersection of Rt. 19 and Rt. 316 at Salt Springs, go west on Rt. 316 for 6.2 miles to FR 11 go north on FR 11 for 2 ½ miles to OHV camp on the right.
Latitude 29°23'58.17"N Longitude 81°48'23.81"W
For questions regarding your Florida Trail registration status contact [email protected]
For questions regarding the event, contact Jeff Glenn [email protected]