In early June, the USDA Forest Service, National Forests in Florida released the 2012 Florida National Scenic Trail Strategic Plan. This planning document is the first guidance document for the future of the Florida Trail since the trail’s original inception as a National Scenic Trail in 1986.
Developing a plan of this magnitude – which will guide Forest Service management over the Florida Trail for the next five years – takes a great deal of citizen input, starting with talks between the Forest Service and the Florida Trail Association. The FNST Coalition was assembled to oversee the planning process, and included input from the Florida Trail Association as well as state agencies and private landowners along the trail.
Goals of the plan include:
- Add 100 new scenic, designated miles to the trail
- 100% of the existing FNST meets recreation, information, and interpretive trail standards
- Each of the FNST land managers contribute proactively to trail development
- 100% of recreationists know they are on the Florida Trail
Strategies to achieve each goal are broken out into action items.
Thanks to those who took the time and effort to work with the USDA Forest Service to develop this planning document.
Download and review a copy of the 2012 FNST Strategic Plan (PDF, 16 pages)
