By October 1966, he received permission from Ocala National Forest managers to start blazing a hiking trail.

It has been a volunteer-driven construction project ever since, built in disconnected segments in corridors where public land (or easements granted by private individuals) was available.

Coalition members participate in bi-annual meetings to address emerging issues and to exchange resources such as expertise, funding, and information.

[6] The 1,500-mile (2,400 km) trail consists of four main geographic regions:[7] Florida is home to a range of environments not seen elsewhere in the world.

The Trail crosses swamps, forests, prairies and springs in both urban and remote wilderness areas, traversing a variety of semi-tropical ecosystems.