MIDDLEBURG – The Florida Forest Service is honored to present this year’s prestigious “Volunteer of the Year” award to Dennis Chapman of Middleburg.

Chapman served over two decades in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Electrician and another 15 years with the Department of Defense as a Quality Control expert before retiring from civil services and donating his time to volunteering.

Chapman has lived a life of service and doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. “I’m still having fun playing in the dirt”, said the retired Navy Chief. A trait that helped fuel the passion for his volunteer service and commitment to our public lands.

Chapman began volunteering for the Florida Forest Service in 2018, after chatting with staff at an area event, learning that local staff had longed for a trail that connected all the recreation areas along Black Creek in Jennings State Forest; the obstacle was lack of personnel to get the work done. Chapman was wrapping up his three years of volunteer work at a nursing home and was looking for new, outdoor volunteer opportunities. His love of trails, hiking and the fact that his wife Velva’s family has an extensive history in the forest and surrounding areas made it too good an opportunity to pass up. After brief discussions with Jennings’ Forest Supervisor Frank Burley and Jacksonville District Recreation Coordinator, Justin Rogers - who are both avid hikers and shared the vision of a trail connecting the recreation areas, Chapman eagerly signed up as a volunteer.

To date, Chapman has donated over 2,500 hours of his time in building the Pioneer Trail. Chapman has performed tasks such as scouting and marking a route for the trail, building bridges, overlooks and benches, cutting trail tread into the slope, hauling rock by hand in a 5-gallon bucket, carrying 8ft. timbers and installing primitive campsites throughout the trail. When complete, the total mileage of this linear trail will be approximately 12 miles of hand cut trail for the public to enjoy.

“Chapman’s commitment to developing the Pioneer Trail, from his vision and dedication, has created a local asset that will be enjoyed by countless hikers for many generations to come”, said District Manager Andy Lamborn. The Florida Forest Service, as well as visitors to this forest, will be eternally grateful to the one volunteer who made it happen. And for these reasons and more, the Florida Forest Service could not think of a better person to present the “Volunteer of the Year” award to. All of us at the Florida Forest Service said it’s proud and honored to have Chapman on its team.