Northeast Florida Connectivity Summit
Creating a Regional Vision for Land Conservation

Monday, April 28, 2008
UNF Center, University of North Florida
8:15-9:00 a.m. Registration and Exhibits
9:00-4:30 p.m.(lunch included)
$30.00 per person

http://www.nfconnectivitysummit.com

Local planners, government officials, landowners, conservation groups and interested citizens will gather to develop a regional, coordinated approach to land acquisition, park development and conservation in the seven county area of northeast Florida.

The Northeast Florida Connectivity Summit is an opportunity to share plans, priorities and ideas, and meet new conservation partners. The goal of the Summit is to come away with a comprehensive regional map of the seven-county area that coordinates plans for greenways, blueways, corridors, parks, preserves, and trails. From the information gathered at the Summit we will be able to identify gaps in local efforts and develop a report of findings that can be used to pursue funding opportunities to support our mutual goals and fill the gaps.

A representative from each county will present on current conditions and future projects in their county. England-Thims and Miller is contributing the GIS mapping services for the Summit and will coordinate with each county to supply their data for the regional map.

This is an incredible opportunity to participate in mapping exercises to design a regional conservation land map and coordinated plan.

Who should attend: County staff and elected officials, developers, planners, non-profit organizations, and involved individuals.
Please join us and be part of the conversation.

More details and online registration information online at:
http://www.nfconnectivitysummit.com

Call 904-827-9870 for information on a limited number of booths available.

Meeting is noticed in Florida Administrative Weekly.

Tentative Agenda

Morning Session

8:15 - 9:00
Registration and Exhibits
(Coffee and danish provided)

9:00 - 9:10
Opening Remarks
Chairman David Graham,
St Johns River Water Management District

9:10 - 10:30
“State of the County” Presentations on lands conserved and future needs from Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, and St Johns counties

10:30 - 10:45
Greenprinting the St. Johns River
Susan Grandin, Trust for Public Land

10:45 - 11:00
Regional Trails
Shorty Robbins, First Coast Trail Coalition

11:00 - 11:45
Considering Local Government Referendums
Sue Mullins, Vanguard Partnership

11:45 - 12:00
Break

12:00 - 1:00
Lunch included
President John Delaney, Keynote speaker
University of North Florida
Chairman, St. Johns River Alliance


Afternoon Session
Greenways Breakout - Main Room
1:00 - 1:30
Tom Hoctor
Florida Ecological Greenways Network
1:30 - 2:15
Gary Knight
Florida Natural Areas Inventory

Regional Trails Breakout - Room 1097
1:00 - 1:45
User Group Roundtable
2:00 - 2:15
Best Practices

2:15 - 2:30
Break

Reconvene Groups - Main Room
2:30 - 3:30
Participant Mapping Exercise
Facilitator - Tom Fallin, England-Thims & Miller

3:30 - 4:30
Map Presentations by each group

4:30
Adjourn