Meet the Newest FTA Staff by FTA Staff
Chelsea Collison, Community Outreach Manager
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s the Florida Trail Association continues to grow, we wanted to introduce you to our newest team members. We are extremely excited to welcome these highly qualified and enthusiastic individuals and can’t wait to see what we can accomplish. Read on to learn more about their various backgrounds and interests. Chelsea Collison, Community Outreach Manager Chelsea is a Florida native who grew up playing in the sun, surf, and sand of New Smyrna Beach but is now more likely to be found snorkeling or scuba diving in the fresh blue springs surrounding Gainesville, where she has lived since 2007. When back on land, Chelsea enjoys photographing nature while hiking around Florida and beyond. She is now on her third year of completing the #52HikesChallenge which requires roughly one hike a week (but usually more!) over the course of a year. Prior to joining FTA, Chelsea spent five years as an educator for the Florida Museum of Natural History where she organized summer camps and public programs to inspire people to care about nature and science. Chelsea specializes in using communication strategies and partnership-building to increase public awareness, appreciation, and curiosity for our natural world. She holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in museum studies from Johns Hopkins University. In her new role as Community Outreach Manager, Chelsea is excited to continue the growth of the Florida Trail’s follower and vol-
unteer base by increasing public awareness, diversity and partnerships along the way. Chelsea looks forward to meeting more of the Florida Trail family as she continues to get settled in this new position! Jenna Taylor, South/Central Trail Program Manager Jenna Taylor joined the Florida Trail Association in 2020 as the South/ Central Trail Program Manager. She was born in South Florida and currently lives in Fort Pierce, a beachside town on the east coast. Prior to joining the FTA, Jenna spent 15 years leading volunteers and most recently led a team of 60 AmeriCorps members with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Jenna attended Flagler College and received bachelors degrees in print communications and psychology. After receiving her undergrad, Jenna pursued a Masters in Social Work through Florida State University with an emphasis on disaster response and nonprofit management. When she isn't working, Jenna stays busy as a coach for the Special Olympics equestrian team and for Girls on the Run. Annually, she and her husband serve as the event coordinators for the Treasure Coast Night To Shine, a prom for individuals with disabilities. Jenna loves running, pretending to be able to garden, fermenting all the things and cooking for others (conveniently a part of her role with FTA). Jenna's favorite part of the job is introducing people to the parts of Florida she grew up loving in her region. The fact that she can do that utilizing the greatest resource a community has to offer, passionate volunteers, makes this the perfect job for her.
Footprint
Spring 2021
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