Liz Scherer honored for 25 years of service with Big Canoe Trails Committee
Liz Scherer, a beloved member of our Big Canoe community, was recently honored with a special award for her 25 years of dedication to the Big Canoe Trails Committee. This recognition, celebrated at the committee’s quarterly meeting Nov. 4, was marked by a standing ovation from the 30 team members present, along with three POA board members and the communications director.
Liz working on the trails.
PHOTO BY TERRY STEWART
Liz’s journey with the Trails Committee began with her deep love for hiking. She and her husband purchased property in Big Canoe in 1994, drawn by the community’s 8 miles of trails. After they moved here in 1998, Liz sought to learn who maintained these trails, hoping to lend a hand.
She joined the Trails Committee in the fall of 1999, a group of around a dozen dedicated members. Over the following two decades, Liz contributed to the expansion of the trails. What began as an 8-mile network has now grown to more than 25 miles of scenic paths, cared for by a 50-person team that Liz has proudly led since 2019.
After years of dedicated volunteer work, Liz was invited several times to take a leadership role. She accepted co-chair responsibilities in 2019 and transitioned to the sole chair position in 2020, where she has guided the committee with a commitment to excellence and great user experience for trail users. In December of 2022, she invited Mitch Waldman as her co-chair, underscoring her focus on fostering leadership and continuity within the team.
Liz accepts an award acknowledging her incredible dedication to the trails in Big Canoe.
PHOTO COURTESY BIG CANOE POA
In addition to her trails work and leadership, Liz has brought creativity and technical skill to the committee. She has served as the team’s graphic artist from the start, creating materials for trail-side kiosks and trail brochures. She also designed and launched the bigcanoetrails.com website and developed the time reporting system that the committee relies on to log work hours. Liz’s ability to blend her artistic skills with her organizational talents has been invaluable to the committee’s operations and outreach, such as coordination and collaboration with the POA Public Works department.
Liz’s contributions go beyond planning and design—she leads by example, arriving on workdays with her tools and ready for the physical challenges of trail maintenance. Her commitment and camaraderie have made her a respected role model, inspiring others to engage in the rewarding work of preserving and enhancing Big Canoe’s natural beauty.
From the Smoke Signals archives, Liz Scherer holds Wiki with other members of the 2007 Trails Committee.
As the Big Canoe community celebrates Liz Scherer’s 25 years of service, we recognize not only her contributions to our trails but her role in building a stronger, more connected community. From her early days as a young, enthusiastic hiker to her current role as a seasoned leader, Liz’s impact has been immense. Her legacy, built on hard work, creativity and an enduring love for Big Canoe’s outdoors, will inspire residents for years to come.