2024 FTA Congressional Report

THE FLORIDA TRAIL ASSOCIATION

Congressional Report

2024 118th Congress

Connect With Us

Florida Trail Association Building More Than Trails 1022 NW 2nd St Gainesville, FL 32601 web: floridatrail.org email: FTA@floridatrail.org phone: 352-378-8823

The Florida Trail is Open To All The Florida Trail is a 1,500-mile footpath that extends from Big Cypress National Preserve in south Florida to Gulf Islands National Seashore in the Florida panhandle.

Hike our white sand beaches. Travel through dense subtropical forests and vast, open grasslands. Test your physical and mental endurance in Florida’s swamps, marshes, and wetlands. Encounter the diverse plant and animal life that flourish along the Florida Trail.

The Florida Trail is public resource that needs your support!

Our 2023 Trail Season Summary Total Volunteer Hours Donated: 21,948

Dollar Value of Hours Donated: $697,946

Total Miles Traveled by FTA Volunteers: 171,822 Miles of Trail Maintained: 1,088 New Miles of Trail Built: 3

Linear Feet of New Infrastructure Construction: 136 Linear Feet of Infrastructure Maintained: 4,279

Total Number of Land Managers that Host Sections of the Florida Trail: 68

District 1 The Honorable Matt Gaetz

The Florida Trail in District 1 highlights the uniquely effective partnership between Federal, State, and County landowners currently under agreement with the USDA Forest Service to host the Florida National Scenic Trail.

The Florida Trail in District 1 is a public resource that needs your support.

District 1 Constituency Engagement in 2023 Hours Donated in 2023: 2,430 Miles Driven in 2023: 19,020

Dollar Value of Hours Donated in 2023: $77,261 Florida’s outdoor recreation economy generates $52.4 Billion in added value, and accounts for 3.6% of state GDP.

The Florida Trail in District 1 is hosted by: Gulf Islands National Seashore – Federal Santa Rosa Island Authority – County Eglin Air Force Base – Federal North West Florida Water Management District – State Yellow River WMA Lafayette Creek WMA Choctawhatchee River WMA Florida Forest Service – State Blackwater River SF

Gateway Communities:

Pensacola Beach, Crestview

Proposed Gateway Communities:

Navarre, Holt, Defuniak Springs, Freeport

A Gateway Community is a designated town in close proximity to the Florida Trail that offers resources for hikers such as accommodations, restaurants, grocery stores or laundry. For the community, it provides publicity, tourism, and economic growth.

0

10

e Riv

MA

Okaloosa _CRESTVIEW ^

Walton

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community

Gulf Islands National Seashore

District 1

w llo Ye

Blackwater River SP

Blackwater River SF

20 Miles

PENSACOLA BEACH

_ ^

Santa Rosa

5

rW

Florida Trail - US House of Representatives (District 1)

.

Escambia

US Congressional Districts

Legend Florida National Scenic Trail

Gateway Communities

Conservation Lands

Roadwalk

Florida Trail

Trail Status

_ ^

District 2 The Honorable Dr. Neal Dunn

The Florida Trail in District 2 highlights the uniquely effective partnership between Federal, State, and Private landowners currently under agreement with the USDA Forest Service to host the Florida National Scenic Trail.

The Florida Trail in District 2 is a public resource that needs your support.

District 2 Constituency Engagement in 2023 Hours Donated in 2023: 2,061 Miles Driven in 2023: 16,138

Dollar Value of Hours Donated in 2023: $65,553

Gateway Communities:

added value, and accounts for 3.6% of state GDP.

Proposed Gateway Communities:

Blountstown, Sopchoppy, Florida’s outdoor recreation economy generates $52.4 Billion in St. Marks

The Florida Trail in District 2 is hosted by: MC Davis Conservation Easement – Private Nokuse Plantation North West Florida Water Management District – State Choctawhatchee River WMA Econfina Creek WMA Suwannee River Water Management District – State Middle Aucilla WMA Suwannee Valley CA Florida Forest Service – State Pine Log SF Twin River SF USDA Forest Service – Federal St. Joe Tract Apalachicola National Forest Rainbow Tract Williams Tract USDI Fish and Wildlife Service – Federal St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission – State Aucilla WMA

Bruce, Hosford, Bristol, Crawfordville, Altha A Gateway Community is a designated town in close proximity to the Florida Trail that offers resources for hikers such as accommodations, restaurants, grocery stores or laundry. For the community, it provides publicity, tourism, and economic growth.

Walton

Alabama Holmes

0

Jackson

20

Gulf

BLOUNTSTOWN

_ ^

Liberty

40 Miles

District 2 Franklin

Apalachicola National Forest

Calhoun

10

Gadsden

Apalachicola National Forest

Leon

SAINT MARKS St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

_ ^

Wakulla

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

_ ^

Georgia

Jefferson

Madison

Taylor

Twin Rivers State Forest

Lower Alapaha Conservation Area

Suwannee River State Park

Twin Rivers State Forest

Suwanne

Lafayette

Dixie

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community

SOPCHOPPY

Aucilla Wildlife Management Area

Florida Trail - US House of Representatives (District 2)

.

Bay

Econfina Creek Water Management Area

Washington

Choctawhatchee River Water Management Area

Nokuse Plantation

US Congressional Districts

Legend Florida National Scenic Trail

Gateway Communities

Conservation Lands

Roadwalk

Florida Trail

Trail Status

_ ^

District 3 The Honorable Kat Cammack

The Florida Trail in District 3 highlights the uniquely effective partnership between Federal, State, Local and Private landowners currently under agreement with the USDA Forest Service to host the Florida National Scenic Trail.

The Florida Trail in District 3 is a public resource that needs your support.

District 3 Constituency Engagement in 2023 Hours Donated in 2023: 1,725

Miles Driven in 2023: 13,500

Dollar Value of Hours Donated in 2023: $54,839 Florida’s outdoor recreation economy generates $52.4 Billion in added value, and accounts for 3.6% of state GDP.

The Florida Trail in District 3 is hosted by: Florida Department of Environmental Protection – State Suwannee River State Park Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center SP Big Shoals State Park Olustee Battlefield Historic SP Palatka-Lake Butler Trail USDA Forest Service – Federal Goolsby, Donaldson, Richards, Latus Tracts Suwannee River Farms MA Osceola NF Suwannee River Water Management District – State Lower Alapaha, Holton Creek, Camp Branch CAs Swift Creek CA Deep Creek CA Less-Than-Fee Access Easements – Private Town of White Springs – Township

Gateway Communities:

White Springs, Lake Butler, Dunnellon

A Gateway Community is a designated town in close proximity to the Florida Trail that offers resources for hikers such as accommodations, restaurants, grocery stores or laundry. For the community, it provides publicity, tourism, and economic growth.

20 Miles

Taylor

Jefferson

5 10

Aucilla Wildlife Management Area

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

0 Legend US Congressional Districts

Florida National Scenic Trail

Gateway Communities

Conservation Lands

Roadwalk

Florida Trail

Trail Status

_ ^

Hamilton

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

Deep Creek Conservation Area Big Shoals State Park

WHITE SPRINGS

_ ^

Camp Branch Conservation Area

Conservation Area

Lower Alapaha Conservation Area Twin Rivers State Forest Holton Creek

Suwannee River State Park

Twin Rivers State Forest

Olustee Battlefield State Park

Columbia

Bradford

Baker

LAKE BUTLER

_ ^

Georgia

Union

Nassau

Duval

Clay

_ ^

Lower Wekiva River Preserve SP

Seminole State Forest

St. Johns

_ ^

PAISLEY

Ocala National Forest

Rice Creek Conservation Area

Gold Head Etoniah Creek SF Branch SP

Camp Blanding Military Reservation

_ ^

rr Ca a y rris e e nw Ha r rie ida G rjo Ma Flor ss Cr o

Putnam

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS

P Bu al at tl e kar St to-L at ak eT e ra il

Marion

Alachua

_ ^

_ ^

Forest

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, INVERNESS USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China Withlacoochee SF Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Seminole Community State

Citrus

DUNNELLON

District 3 Gilchrist

Suwannee

Lafayette

Dixie

Levy

Osceola National Forest

Florida Trail - US House of Representatives (District 3)

Madison

.

_ ^

District 4 The Honorable Aaron Bean

The Florida Trail in District 4 highlights the uniquely effective partnership between Federal, State, and Private landowners currently under agreement with the USDA Forest Service to host the Florida National Scenic Trail.

The Florida Trail in District 4 is a public resource that needs your support.

District 4 Constituency Engagement in 2023 Hours Donated in 2023: 118 Miles Driven in 2023: 925

Dollar Value of Hours Donated in 2023: $3,755 Florida’s outdoor recreation economy generates $52.4 Billion in added value, and accounts for 3.6% of state GDP.

The Florida Trail in District 4 is hosted by: US Department of Defense – Federal Camp Blanding Military Reservation Florida Department of Environmental Protection – State Mike Roess Gold Head Branch SP Weyerhaeuser Timber – Private

Gateway Communities: Keystone Heights

A Gateway Community is a designated town in close proximity to the Florida Trail that offers resources for hikers such as accommodations, restaurants, grocery stores or laundry. For the community, it provides publicity, tourism, and economic growth.

Osceola National Forest Olustee Battlefield State Park

LAKE

_BUTLER ^

Nassau

Duval

District 4

Clay Etoniah Creek SF

Camp Blanding Military Reservation

Gold Head Branch SP

_ ^

0

5

10

20 Miles

.

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community

St. Johns

Florida Trail - US House of Representatives (District 4)

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS

Pa Bu latk t a l e r S -tota La t k e Tr e ai l

Bradford

Baker

Georgia

Union Legend US Congressional Districts

Florida National Scenic Trail

Gateway Communities

Conservation Lands

Roadwalk

Alachua

Florida Trail

Trail Status

_ ^

_ ^

District 6 The Honorable Michael Waltz The Florida Trail in District 6 highlights the uniquely effective partnership between Federal, State, and Private landowners currently under agreement with the USDA Forest Service to host the Florida National Scenic Trail.

The Florida Trail in District 6 is a public resource that needs your support.

District 6 Constituency Engagement in 2023 Hours Donated in 2023: 6,146 Miles Driven in 2023: 48,155

Dollar Value of Hours Donated in 2023: $195,445 Florida’s outdoor recreation economy generates $52.4 Billion in added value, and accounts for 3.6% of state GDP.

The Florida Trail in District 6 is hosted by: Florida Forest Service – State Seminole State Forest Etoniah Creek State Forest USDA Forest Service – Federal Ocala NF Florida Department of Environmental Protection – State Marjorie Harris Carr Cross FL Greenway R & CA Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation – Private Saint John’s River Water Management District – State Rice Creek CA Boy Scouts of America – Private Camp La No Che

Proposed Gateway Communities: Paisley, Palatka

A Gateway Community is a designated town in close proximity to the Florida Trail that offers resources for hikers such as accommodations, restaurants, grocery stores or laundry. For the community, it provides publicity, tourism, and economic growth.

PAISLEY, FLORIDA-JULY 26, 2017: At Clearwater Lake Recreation Area in Ocala National Forest, a marker denotes the birth of the Florida Trail, designated the Florida National Scenic Trail in 1983.

5

Etoniah Creek SF

Rice Creek Conservation Area

_PALATKA ^

State _ Forest ^

Seminole

District 6

Ocala National Forest

PAISLEY

_ ^

_ ^

Volusia

Seminole

Little Big Econ SF

.

State Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), EsriForest Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community

Seminole

Lower Wekiva River Preserve SP

Flagler

Florida Trail - US House of Representatives (District 6) Gold Head Branch SP

_ ^

10

rr Ca ay rris eenw Ha r rie ida G rjo Ma s Flor s Cro

0

20 Miles

Lake

Putnam

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS

P Bu alat t ler ka-t S t o -L a t e T ake ra il

Marion

Alachua

_ ^

US Congressional Districts

Legend Florida National Scenic Trail

Gateway Communities

Conservation Lands

Roadwalk

_ ^

Trail Status Withlacoochee INVERNESS Florida Trail SF

_ ^

Sumter

District 7 The Honorable Cory Mills

The Florida Trail in District 7 highlights the uniquely effective partnership between Federal, State, County and City landowners currently under agreement with the USDA Forest Service to host the Florida National Scenic Trail.

The Florida Trail in District 7 is a public resource that needs your support.

District 7 Constituency Engagement in 2023 Hours Donated in 2023: 1,108 Miles Driven in 2023: 8,674

Dollar Value of Hours Donated in 2023: $35,234 Florida’s outdoor recreation economy generates $52.4 Billion in added value, and accounts for 3.6% of state GDP.

The Florida Trail in District 7 is hosted by: Seminole County – County Chuluota Wilderness Lucas Tract Wekiva Trail Cross Seminole Trail Spring Hammock Preserve Black Hammock Trail Head Florida Department of Environmental Protection – State Lower Wekiva River Preserve SP City of Oviedo – City Florida Forest Service – State Little Big Econ State Forest USDA Forest Service – Federal Mills Creek Woodlands

Gateway Communities:

Winter Springs, Oviedo

A Gateway Community is a designated town in close proximity to the Florida Trail that offers resources for hikers such as accommodations, restaurants, grocery stores or laundry. For the community, it provides publicity, tourism, and economic growth.

Seminole State Forest

PAISLEY

_ ^

Seminole State Forest

US Congressional Districts

Legend Florida National Scenic Trail

Gateway Communities

Conservation Lands

Roadwalk

Florida Trail

Trail Status

_ ^

0

Volusia District 7

Little Big Econ SF

Seminole _OVIEDO ^

Mills Creek Woodlands

Christmas Creek Preserve

.

Hal Scott Regional Preserve Pine Lily Preserve Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Tosohatchee Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community WMA

Charles H. Bronson SF

Florida Trail - US House of Representatives (District 7)

_ ^

7

WINTER SPRINGS

Lower Wekiva River Preserve SP

3.5

14 Miles

District 8 The Honorable Bill Posey

The Florida Trail in District 8 highlights the uniquely effective partnership between State, County and City landowners currently under agreement with the USDA Forest Service to host the Florida National Scenic Trail.

The Florida Trail in District 8 is a public resource that needs your support.

District 8 Constituency Engagement in 2023 Hours Donated in 2023: 2,275 Miles Driven in 2023: 17,810

Dollar Value of Hours Donated in 2023: $72,346 Florida’s outdoor recreation economy generates $52.4 Billion in added value, and accounts for 3.6% of state GDP.

The Florida Trail in District 8 is hosted by: Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission – State Seminole Ranch WMA Tosohatchee WMA Orange County – County Savage/Christmas Creek Preserve Florida Forest Service – State Bronson State Forest City of Orlando – City Orlando Wetlands Park

Proposed Gateway Communities: Christmas

A Gateway Community is a designated town in close proximity to the Florida Trail that offers resources for hikers such as accommodations, restaurants, grocery stores or laundry. For the community, it provides publicity, tourism, and economic growth.

Polk

US Congressional Districts

Legend Florida National Scenic Trail

0

8.5

Crosby Island Marsh Preserve

Split Oak Forest WEA

Lake Lizzie Conservation Area

Osceola District 8

Creek Preserve

Pine Lily Preserve

Triple N Ranch WMA

Three Lakes WMA

Tosohatchee WMA

Tosohatchee WMA

.

Brevard

Indian Rive

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community

Herky Huffman/ Bull Creek WMA

Orange

Hal Scott Regional Preserve

Florida Trail - US House of Representatives (District 8) Christmas

4.25

17 Miles

r ve Ri ee ) m MD im W ss SF Ki (

Gateway Communities

Conservation Lands

Roadwalk

Florida Trail

Trail Status

_ ^

District 9 The Honorable Darren Soto The Florida Trail in District 9 highlights the uniquely effective partnership between State, County and Private landowners currently under agreement with the USDA Forest Service to host the Florida National Scenic Trail.

The Florida Trail in District 9 is a public resource that needs your support.

District 9 Constituency Engagement in 2023 Hours Donated in 2023: 1,181 Miles Driven in 2023: 9,245

Dollar Value of Hours Donated in 2023: $37,554 Florida’s outdoor recreation economy generates $52.4 Billion in added value, and accounts for 3.6% of state GDP.

The Florida Trail in District 9 is hosted by: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission – State Herky Huffman/Bull Creek WMA KICCO WMA Triple N Ranch WMA Three Lakes WMA Alan Broussard Conservancy – Private Forever Florida Florida Department of Environmental Protection – State Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP Osceola County- County Lake Lizzie Preserve Orange County- County Split Oak Forest Moss Park Crosby Island Marsh

Proposed Gateway Communities: Kissimmee, St. Cloud

A Gateway Community is a designated town in close proximity to the Florida Trail that offers resources for hikers such as accommodations, restaurants, grocery stores or laundry. For the community, it provides publicity, tourism, and economic growth.

Polk

US Congressional Districts

Legend Florida National Scenic Trail

0

8.5

Crosby Island Marsh Preserve

Split Oak Forest WEA

Lake Lizzie Conservation Area

Osceola District 9

Creek Preserve

Pine Lily Preserve

Triple N Ranch WMA

Three Lakes WMA

Tosohatchee WMA

Tosohatchee WMA

.

Brevard

Indian Rive

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community

Herky Huffman/ Bull Creek WMA

Orange

Hal Scott Regional Preserve

Florida Trail - US House of Representatives (District 9) Christmas

4.25

17 Miles

r ve Ri ee ) m MD im W ss SF Ki (

Gateway Communities

Conservation Lands

Roadwalk

Florida Trail

Trail Status

_ ^

District 10 The Honorable Maxwell Alejandro Frost

The Florida Trail in District 10 highlights the uniquely effective partnership between State and County landowners currently under agreement with the USDA Forest Service to host the Florida National Scenic Trail.

The Florida Trail in District 10 is a public resource that needs your support.

District 10 Constituency Engagement in 2023 Hours Donated in 2023: 191

Miles Driven in 2023: 1,496

Dollar Value of Hours Donated in 2023: $6,075 Florida’s outdoor recreation economy generates $52.4 Billion in added value, and accounts for 3.6% of state GDP.

The Florida Trail in District 11 is hosted by: Saint John’s River Water Management District – State Hal Scott Regional Preserve Orange County – County Pine Lily Preserve

Legend US Congressional Districts

Florida National Scenic Trail

Gateway Communities

Conservation Lands

Roadwalk

Florida Trail

Trail Status

_ ^

0

WINTER SPRINGS

_ ^

District 10

7 Miles

_ ^

OVIEDO

Crosby Island Marsh Preserve

Little Big Econ SF

Mills Creek Woodlands

Christmas Creek Preserve

Pine Lily Preserve

.

Orange

Hal Scott Regional Preserve

Florida Trail - US House of Representatives (District 10)

1.75 3.5

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community Split Oak Forest WEA

District 11 The Honorable Daniel Webster

The Florida Trail in District 11 highlights the uniquely effective partnership between State landowners currently under agreement with the USDA Forest Service to host the Florida National Scenic Trail.

The Florida Trail in District 11 is a public resource that needs your support.

District 11 Constituency Engagement in 2023 Hours Donated in 2023: 412

Miles Driven in 2023: 3,222

Dollar Value of Hours Donated in 2023: $13,089 Florida’s outdoor recreation economy generates $52.4 Billion in added value, and accounts for 3.6% of state GDP.

The Florida Trail in District 11 is hosted by: Florida Forest Service – State Withlacoochee State Forest Southwest Florida Water Management District – State Green Swamp WMA

Croom River Trail, Withlacoochee State Forest Photo by Barbara Bowen

Withlacoochee SF

rus

ernando

INVERNESS

_ ^

Withlacoochee SF

0

Pasco US Congressional Districts

Legend Florida National Scenic Trail

Gateway Communities

Conservation Lands

Roadwalk

Florida Trail

Trail Status

_ ^

Green Swamp

Green Swamp

Withlacoochee State Forest

Sumter

7.5

Lake

District 11

_ ^

Seminole State Forest

Seminole State Forest

Lower Wekiva River Preserve SP

_ ^

WINTER SPRINGS

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community

.

Florida Trail - US House of Representatives (District 11)

3.75

15 Miles

_ ^

District 12 The Honorable Gus Bilirakis

The Florida Trail in District 12 highlights the uniquely effective partnership between State landowners currently under agreement with the USDA Forest Service to host the Florida National Scenic Trail.

The Florida Trail in District 12 is a public resource that needs your support.

District 12 Constituency Engagement in 2023 Hours Donated in 2023: 1,556 Miles Driven in 2023: 12,182

Dollar Value of Hours Donated in 2023: $49,483 Florida’s outdoor recreation economy generates $52.4 Billion in added value, and accounts for 3.6% of state GDP.

The Florida Trail in District 12 is hosted by: Florida Forest Service – State Withlacoochee State Forest Southwest Florida Water Management District – State Green Swamp WMA

Gateway Communities: Inverness

A Gateway Community is a designated town in close proximity to the Florida Trail that offers resources for hikers such as accommodations, restaurants, grocery stores or laundry. For the community, it provides publicity, tourism, and economic growth.

.

US Congressional Districts

Legend Florida National Scenic Trail

Gateway Communities

Conservation Lands

Roadwalk

Florida Trail

Trail Status

_ ^

0

9

DUNNELLON

_ ^

Withlacoochee SF

Citrus

District 12

INVERNESS

Withlacoochee SF

rr Ca a y rris e enw Ha r rie ida G rjo Ma Flor ss Cro

Withlacoochee State Forest

Sumter

Green Swamp

Green Swamp

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community

Pasco

Hernando

_ ^

Florida Trail - US House of Representatives (District 12)

4.5

18 Miles

Lake

District 18 The Honorable Scott Franklin

The Florida Trail in District 18 highlights the uniquely effective partnership between Federal, State, and Private landowners currently under agreement with the USDA Forest Service to host the Florida National Scenic Trail.

The Florida Trail in District 18 is a public resource that needs your support.

District 18 Constituency Engagement in 2023 Hours Donated in 2023: 1,527 Miles Driven in 2023: 11,951

Dollar Value of Hours Donated in 2023: $48,544 Florida’s outdoor recreation economy generates $52.4 Billion in added value, and accounts for 3.6% of state GDP.

The Florida Trail in District 18 is hosted by: Florida Department of Environmental Protection – State Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP South Florida Water Management District – State Kissimmee River WMA Starvation Slough WMA Yates Marsh WMA Chandler Slough WMA L1E Canal Levee L2 Canal Levee US Army Corps of Engineers – Federal Okeechobee North Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail Seminole Tribe of Florida – Private Big Cypress Reservation

Gateway Communities:

Okeechobee, Moore Haven, Clewiston

Proposed Gateway Communities: Lakeport

A Gateway Community is a designated town in close proximity to the Florida Trail that offers resources for hikers such as accommodations, restaurants, grocery stores or laundry. For the community, it provides publicity, tourism, and economic growth.

Pinellas

.

Polk

Hardee

Split Oak Forest WEA

Lake Lizzie Conservation Area

Osceola Triple N Ranch WMA Herky Huffman/ Bull Creek WMA Three Lakes WMA

r

ve Ri ee ) m MD im W ss S F Ki ( r

Brevard

Cypress Creek

St. Lucie

Indian River

OKEECHOBEE

_ ^

Palm Beach

ee ob ch il ee Tra Ok i c ke en La Sc

National Preserve

CLEWISTON

_ ^

Okeechobee

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP

Glades

_ ^ MOORE HAVEN

Hendry

District 18 DeSoto

Lee

Charlotte

Green Swamp

20 Miles

Highlands

Florida Trail - US House of Representatives (District 18)

Hillsborough

Manatee

Sarasota

0 5 10

ve Ri ee ) m MD im W ss F Ki (S

US Congressional Districts

Legend Florida National Scenic Trail

Gateway Communities

Conservation Lands

Roadwalk

Florida Trail

Trail Status

_ ^

Collier

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Broward Big Cypress Community

District 20 The Honorable Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick The Florida Trail in District 20 highlight the uniquely effective partnership between Federal and State landowners currently under agreement with the USDA Forest Service and the Florida Trail Association to host the Florida National Scenic Trail.

The Florida Trail in District 20 is a public resources that needs your support.

Florida’s outdoor recreation economy generates $52.4 Billion in added value, and accounts for 3.6% of state GDP.

The Florida Trail in District 20 is hosted by: US Army Corps of Engineers – Federal Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail Okeechobee East South Florida Water Management District – State Miami Canal Levee L1E Canal Levee

Florida Trail - 2024 US House of Representatives (District 20)

_ ^

Broward

District 20

Palm Beach

ee ob ch il ee ra Ok ic T ke en La Sc

Big Cypress National Preserve

River of Grass

CLEWISTON

Glades

Fisheating Creek WMA

MOORE ^ _ HAVEN

Legend

Hendry

ollier Florida National Scenic Trail

US House Districts

Gateway Communities

Roadwalk

Florida Trail

Trail Status

_ ^

Conservation Lands

.

Esri, HERE, Garmin, NGA, USGS, NPS

District 21 The Honorable Brian Mast

The Florida Trail and Ocean to Lake Trail in District 21 highlight the uniquely effective partnership between Federal, State and County landowners currently under agreement with the USDA Forest Service and the Florida Trail Association to host the Florida National Scenic Trail and the Ocean to Lake Trail.

The Florida Trail and the Ocean to Lake Trail in District 21 are public resources that needs your support.

District 21 Constituency Engagement in 2023 Hours Donated in 2023: 142 Miles Driven in 2023: 1,115

Dollar Value of Hours Donated in 2023: $4,529 Florida’s outdoor recreation economy generates $52.4 Billion in added value, and accounts for 3.6% of state GDP.

The Florida Trail and Ocean to Lake Trail in District 21 is hosted by: US Army Corps of Engineers – Federal Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail South Florida Water Management District – State Dupuis Reserve WMA Cypress Creek and Loxahatchee River MA Martin County – County South Fork Addition Palm Beach County – County Hungryland Slough Natural Area Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area River Bend Park Florida Department of Environmental Protection – State Seabranch Preserve SP Jonathan Dickinson SP Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission – State J. W. Corbett WMA

_ ^

0

8

Cypress Creek

r ve Ri ee ) m MD im W s s SF ee ob ch il ee Tra O k ic ke en La Sc

16 Miles

.

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community

District 21

St. Lucie

Florida Trail - US House of Representatives (District 21)

4

OKEECHOBEE

Okeechobee

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve SP

_ ^ US Congressional Districts

Legend Florida National Scenic Trail

_ ^

Florida Trail

Trail Status

Gateway Communities

Conservation Lands

Roadwalk CLEWISTON

_ ^

District 26 The Honorable Mario Diaz-Balart

The Florida Trail in District 26 highlight the uniquely effective partnership between Federal landowners currently under agreement with the USDA Forest Service to host the Florida National Scenic Trail.

The Florida Trail in District 26 is a public resource that needs your support.

District 26 Constituency Engagement in 2023 Hours Donated in 2023: 979

Miles Driven in 2023: 8,429

Dollar Value of Hours Donated in 2023: $26,628.80 Florida’s outdoor recreation economy generates $52.4 Billion in added value, and accounts for 3.6% of state GDP.

The Florida Trail in District 26 is hosted by: USDI National Park Service – Federal Big Cypress National Preserve

Proposed Gateway Communities: Ochopee

A Gateway Community is a designated town in close proximity to the Florida Trail that offers resources for hikers such as accommodations, restaurants, grocery stores or laundry. For the community, it provides publicity, tourism, and economic growth.

The Ochopee Post Office is the smallest post office building in the United States.

Photo courtesy of olekinderhook on Wikipedia.com

US Congressional Districts

Legend Florida National Scenic Trail

Gateway Communities

Conservation Lands

Roadwalk

Florida Trail

Trail Status

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Hendry

Collier

District 26

10

Palm Beach

Broward

Miami-Dade

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community

Monroe

Big Cypress National Preserve

Florida Trail - US House of Representatives (District 26)

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0

20 Miles

Meet the Florida Trail Association

We are the Florida Trail Association, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit responsible for developing, maintaining, protecting, & promoting a network of hiking trails throughout the state, including the unique Florida National Scenic Trail, commonly known as the “Florida Trail,” along with our primary agency partner, the U.S. Forest Service. The Florida National Scenic Trail is a 1,500 mile federally designated trail beginning at Big Cypress National Preserve and ending at Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Our vision is a continuous well-maintained, protected network of hiking trails on public lands that highlight the unique natural, scenic, cultural, and historic places in Florida. These trails are open to all, connecting the diverse and growing population to opportunities for recreation and meaningful volunteer work in Florida.

We are: Stewards, Dedicated, Inclusive, Adaptable, Respectful, Open, Fair, & Learners. We are constantly open to advancing our education and sharing our experiences.

©2024 FLORIDA TRAIL ASSOCIATION