Reinventing the Florida National Scenic Trail Partnership 14 th Conference on National Scenic and Historic Trails November 5, 2013

Case Study ► Examine the process and outcomes of reinventing the Florida National Scenic Trail Partnership

Florida National Scenic Trail ► 1,300 miles ► Traverses 58 land management areas administered by 28 different land management agencies ► 400,000 visitors per year ► 18 million people within a 1 hour drive

Why Partnership Reinvention? Implement changes to the partnership to: ► Be relevant ► Remain sustainable ► Achieve strategic goals

Why Partnership Reinvention?

5 Steps to Partnership Reinvention 1. Understand the need for change (analysis of the current situation). 2. Consciously refocus on the needs of the resource. 3. Agree upon strategic goals, objectives and deliverables. 4. Refine the structure and composition of the partnership to meet needs and achieve goals. 5. Clearly define roles and responsibilities.

Analysis of the Current Situation (2009) Interviewed 56 Stakeholders ► USFS staff ► FTA staff and board members ► FTA members and volunteers ► Land managers

Findings ► The FNST did not have a clear identity ► FNST land managers were not actively engaged in the strategic discussions …completion, maintenance, and safety ► Trail and recreationist needs outpaced the current resources, capacity and structure of FTA

April 2010 FS/FTA Partnership Meeting ► Systematic, objective process – Steps 1 and 2 ► Status of FS/FTA Partnership ► Needs of the FNST Program

Strategic Framework ► Mission ► Vision ► Trail Description ► Optimum Recreation Experience ► Audience ► Imperatives

Mission ► The USFS and its partners work to complete, protect, maintain and promote the FNST as a distinct Florida recreational asset and to ensure an optimum nationally significant recreation experience.

Vision ► The natural and cultural resources of the trail corridor are protected and conserved to afford a unique scenic trail experience. A complete FNST provides a seamless, optimum recreation experience enjoyed and appreciated by diverse audiences. The FNST has broad community and citizen support and engagement.

Description ► The FNST is a federally-designated, non- motorized trail that represents the diverse natural, scenic, cultural and historic character of Florida.

Optimum Recreation Experience ► As a National Scenic Trail, the FNST provides readily available, safe, educational, and memorable opportunities across a spectrum of challenges; ► Recreationists can expect signage, maintenance, accessibility, and interpretation to be standardized and to meet best trail management practices; ► Recreationists recognize and identify their experience as part of the larger, distinct National Scenic Trail experience.

Audience ► The current audience is residents who live within 30 miles of the trail and use the trail as much for hiking as for other non- motorized uses. ► People report that they enjoy the trail for being in nature and for physical activity.

Imperatives ► Complete the trail. ► Update the comprehensive plan. ► Bring the trail to consistent standards and ensure maintenance to those standards. ► Promote the entire “whole” as the distinct FNST to create and foster a brand. ► Ensure fully-functioning productive partnerships. ► Ensure a more diverse funding base from a broader group of engaged partners.

FNST Partnership Model ► FS/FTA long partnership history ► Future depends on a different model  58 land management areas  28 different land management partners Strengthening the role of land managers in the partnership was imperative to the future of the FNST.

FNST Coalition ► Established as a group of FNST land managers and partners that would work collaboratively in the best interest of the resource (FNST) and to further the unique recreational experience that the resource provides. ► Not a decision making body. ► Provides strategic level oversight of resource management issues associated with the FNST.

FNST Coalition Members ► Director, Florida Forest Service ► Director, Division Recreation and Parks, Florida Department of Environmental Protection ► Director, Office of Greenways and Trails, Florida Department of Environmental Protection ► Director, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission ► President, Florida Trail Association ► Manager, Northwest Florida Water Management District ► Senior Manager, Plum Creek Timber Company ► Professor-Outdoor Recreation, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation ► Director, Seminole County, Greenways and Natural Lands Division ► Commander, Eglin Air Force Base, United States Air Force ► Superintendent, Big Cypress National Preserve, United States Park Service ► Refuge Manager, St Marks National Wildlife Refuge, USDI-Fish and Wildlife Service ► Forest Supervisor, National Forests in Florida, United States Forest Service

Coalition Members are dedicated to: ► Coordination among all partners ► A cooperative relationship with landowners built on voluntary participation ► Using best current and available data from which to base decisions ► A shared vision and aspirations for the success of the FNST

Strategic Implementation Plan ► Built upon the Strategic Framework crafted at the April 2010 FS/FTA meeting. ► Goals/Objectives/Deliverables for next 5 years. ► Creates a more focused approach to the completion, protection, management and promotion of the FNST.

4 Goals ► Complete the Trail: Add 100 new scenic and designated miles of FNST towards completion of a high quality trail.

4 Goals ► Standards: 100% of existing designated FNST meets the recreation, information, and interpretive trail standards within its resource classification category of 1 – 5. ► Partnerships: Each of the FNST land managers proactively contribute to Trail development, maintenance and promotion of their segment as part of the larger whole.

4 Goals ► Promotion: 100% of Trail recreationists know they are on the FNST, know the significance of the Trail, and know how their experience is part of the larger whole.

Strategic Plan Implementation ► Objectives and deliverables defined for each Goal. Some examples:  Evaluating and assessing trail corridor location and condition…State of the Trail report.  Establishing a centralized, up-to-date data platform electronically available to coalition members.  Defining trail standards...parking, signage, information expectations…based on trail classification.

Florida National Scenic Trail Strategies and Annual Deliverables

Partnership Reinvention Timeline Need for Change Identified USFS-FTAPartnership Meeting USFS - FTA Partnership Meeting StrategicFramework/New PartnershipModel Strategic Framework/ New Partnership Model FNST Coalition Formed Strategic Plan Published Strategic Plan Implementation Oct April 2010 May 2010 Nov June July 2010

Roles and Responsibilities

USFS  Vision and leadership  Financial resources  Strategic plan implementation coordination  Administrative responsibility for the FNST

Roles and Responsibilities Florida Trail Association  Primary non-profit partner who administers a volunteer program to maintain the FNST  Monitors condition of trail and associated facilities

Roles and Responsibilities Coalition Members  Share in the implementation of the 5-Year Strategic Plan  Participate in bi-annual meetings  Participate in working groups to address emerging issues  Bring resources to the table: Expertise Expertise Information Information Staff time Staff time Funding Funding Networks Networks

Successful Outcomes of Reinvention Communication  Shared vision  Holistic approach  Common, consistent message Planning  5-Year Strategic Plan  Common goals  Clear deliverables Implementation  Clear roles and responsibilities  Increased capacity – time, expertise, funding  Accountability to the trail and each other  Bigger voice for the FNST

A Pathway to the Future