Visitor Assessments and Other Trail Publications
UF Visitor Assessments
Researchers from the University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation began Florida National Scenic Trail visitor assessments in 2003. The goal of these assessments is to develop reliable use estimates at each study site within a given year, which can then be inferred to all FNST survey sections that are yet to be studied, forming a trail-wide estimate of use. The assessments also describe FNST users in terms of their socio-demographic and trip characteristics, as well as their level of satisfaction with their Trail experience.
2013-2020
Presentation Materials
- 2020 University of Florida Visitor Count PowerPoint (PDF)
- 2020 University of Florida Visitor Count Handout (PDF)
- 2014-2015 Vistor Assessment Presentation by Taylor Stein (PDF)
- 2013-2014 Visitor Assessment Presentation (PPT)
Assessment Reports
- 2018-2019 Visitor Assessment (PDF)
- 2017-2018 Visitor Assessment (DOCX)
- 2015-2016 Visitor Assessment (PDF)
- 2014-2015 Visitor Assessment (PDF)
- 2013-2014 Visitor Assessment (PDF)
- 2012-2013 Visitor Assessment (PDF)
2003-2011
Decade Review 2010 FNST Visitor Assessment
This document summarizes information from 2003-2010 visitor assessments completed by the researchers at the University of Florida School of Forest Resources and Conservation and provides key findings and themes.
2010-2011 FNST Visitor Assessment
Study sites include: Apalachicola National Forest, Aucilla Wildlife Management Area, Big Cypress National Preserve, Cross Florida Greenway, Ocala National Forest, Osceola National Forest, Twin Rivers State Forest, and Withlacoochee State Forest
2009-2010 FNST Visitor Assessment
Study sites include: Apalachicola National Forest, Big Cypress National Preserve, Cross Florida Greenway, Econfina Creek Wildlife Management District, Mills Creek Conservation Area, Ocala National Forest, Osceola National Forest, St. Marks NWR, and Suwannee Segment
2008-2009 FNST Visitor Assessment
Study sites include: Apalachicola National Forest, Big Cypress National Preserve, Cross Florida Greenway, Ocala National Forest, Osceola National Forest, Rice Creek Conservation Area, Seminole State Forest, St. Marks NWR, and Suwannee Segment
2007-2008 FNST Visitor Assessment
Study sites include: Apalachicola National Forest, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center St. Park, Osceola National Forest, Goldhead Branch State Park, Etoniah St. Forest, Cross Florida Greenway, Ocala National Forest, Little Big Econ State Forest, and Big Cypress National Preserve
2006-2007 FNST Visitor Assessment
Study sites include: Big Cypress National Preserve, Cross Florida Greenway, Highlands/Okeechobee, Bull Creek WMA, Three Lakes WMA, Kissimmee River WMA & Avon AFB, Ocala National Forest, Osceola National Forest, and Apalachicola National Forest
2005-2006 FNST Visitor Assessment
Study sites include: Tosohatchee State Park, Withlacoochee State Forest (includes Withlacoochee Rail Trail), Ellaville/Twin River State Forest, Green Swamp East WMA, Green Swamp West WMA, Blackwater River State Forest, Econfina WMA, Ocala National Forest, Osceola National Forest, and Apalachicola National Forest
2004-2005 FNST Visitor Assessment
Study sites include: Pine Log State Forest, Apalachicola National Forest, St. Mark National Wildife Refuge and Rail Trail, Aucilla WMA, Suwannee: Stephen Foster State Park and Big Oak trail, Osceola National Forest, Rice Creek Conservation Area, Ocala National Forest, Seminole State Forest, and Lake Okeechobee
2003-2004 FNST Visitor Assessment
Study sites include: Gulf Islands National Seashore, Eglin Air Force Base, Apalachicola National Forest, Osceola National Forest, Goldhead Branch State Park, Etoniah Creek State Forest, Little Big Econ State Forest, and Ocala National Forest
2003-2008 Visitor Assessment Highlights by Land Manager
These documents provide highlights and summaries of findings from the University of Florida FNST visitor assessments listed above. These assessments are grouped by land management agency.
- Apalachicola National Forest
- Florida Division of Forestry
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Florida State Parks
- Florida Greenways
- Ocala National Forest
- Osceola National Forest
- South Florida Water Management District
- St. Johns River Water Management District
Additional Reports
Florida Greenways & Trails System Plan: 2013-2017
This plan outlines the new vision for the Florida Greenways and Trails System (FGTS). It defines the role of the FGTS in advancing Florida's economy, tourism, health, transportation, recreation, conservation and quality of life. The Florida National Scenic Trail and its Coalition are highlighted in support of the partnership element under the plan's Goal 4: "Link and support complementary programs, planning and partnership efforts to coordinate the FGTS."
FNST 2014 User Conflict Presentation
This presentation from Dr. Stein and graduate students at the University of Florida was presented at the 2014 Florida National Scenic Trail Symposium. It examines the potential issue of user conflict on the FNST. It outlines what conflict is, how different types of recreationists coexist, what (if any) conflict may exist on the FNST, and the conclusions and implications of the FNST User Conflict Study (2013-2014).
Market Segmentation of Trail Visitors - 2008
The purpose of this study was to investigate the motivations and destination preferences of homogenous hiker segments at destinations (i.e. parks and forests) where the Florida Trail did not traverse. Specifically, the objectives of this study were to:
- Form homogenous market segments based on similar motivations
- Explore the motivations, preferences, and characteristics of each identified market segment
- Explore the relationships between motivations and destination and trail set ting preference for each market segment in order to predict what types of natural area each market is most likely to visit to attain desired motivations.
Marketing Opportunities for the FNST - 2007
The purpose of this study was to use a social marketing approach to form a foundational knowledge for future promotion strategies of the FNST. Specifically the objectives of this study were to:
- Examine desired motivations of current FNST visitors and non-visitors
- Examine if FNST visitors and non‐visitors differed in these desired motivations
- Examine the desired setting characteristics of a recreation site when pursuing trail opportunities
- Examine the relationship between desired motivations and setting preferences
- Examine current awareness and knowledge levels regarding the FNST between FNST visitors and non‐visitors.
Understanding place meanings in planning and managing the wildland-urban interface: The case of Florida Trail hikers
This study examines the influence that place meanings have on wildland-urban interface (WUI) visitors' benefits sought and preferences for landscape attributes and trail settings and suggests management implications. The study is based on data from on-site interviews with FNST hikers through WUI areas.