Post on 18-Dec-2015
Reinventing the Florida National
Scenic Trail Partnership
14th 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 C
hang
e
Iden
tified
USFS -
FTA
Partn
ersh
ip M
eetin
g
Stra
tegi
c Fr
amew
ork/
New P
artn
ersh
ip M
odel
FNST
Coalit
ion Fo
rmed
Stra
tegi
c Pl
an P
ublis
hed
Stra
tegi
c Pl
an
Impl
emen
tatio
n
Oct. 2009
April 2010
May 2010
Nov. 2011
June 2012 - 2013
July 2010
Roles and Responsibilities
Roles and ResponsibilitiesUSFS 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 Information Staff time Funding 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
www.fs.usda.gov/FNSTwww.floridatrail.org
www.conservationimpact.com