National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Final Programmatic Report Project Name and Number: Panhandle Birding Trail Outreach (FL) #2007-0069-001 Recipient Organization/Agency: Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Inc. Recipient Organization Web Address: _http://wildlifefoundationofflorida.com/___ Date Submitted: _October 1, 2010___ 1) Summary of Accomplishments In four to five sentences, provide a brief summary of the project’s key accomplishments and outcomes that were observed or measured. Phase I project accomplishments included site enhancements at nine locations in six Panhandle counties, the purpose of which was to increase visitor enjoyment of the sites, to promote increased appreciation for the birdlife at those sites, and to foster increased awareness of the Great Florida Birding Trail program. Enhancements included an upgraded footpath, improved handicapped access, park benches, shade stops for park benches, outdoor literature racks, interpretive signage, interpretive kiosks, bird checklists, and replacement road sign assemblies for the Birding Trail. Phase II project accomplishments included hosting two workshops for 69 participants from a 10- county area (five of these counties are designated as a Rural Area of Critical Economic Concern), which led to the formation of a new, non-profit corporation (RiverWay South-Apalachicola/ Choctawhatchee) aimed at promoting sustainable nature-based tourism for the region. The participants are also collaborating on a website, a promotional brochure, a regional tourism corridor, and National Heritage Trail status. Twenty-two representatives from three additional Panhandle counties also attended the workshops. 2) Project Activities & Results If your grant agreement included an approved logic framework, paste the logic framework table here. Activities Project Post-Project Indicator Base- Predicted Predicted Outputs Outcomes line Value of Value of Value Project Post- Output Project Outcome Build or provide site Better wildlife- An increase in Percent of sites 0% 100% 100% enhancements at seven viewing new and repeat with Birding Trail sites in six experience for visitors, enhancements. counties including trail visitors at the increasing the improvements, benches, seven Great economic value shade stops, brochures/ Florida Birding of the Birding checklists and kiosks with Trail locations Trail sites; interpretive signage. including greater helping make awareness and the viewing appreciation for experience more birds and enjoyable and conservation. successful. Host a birding tourism Increase in Formation of a Percent increase 0% 50% 75% workshop for 10 counties knowledge of 10-county in knowledge of bringing together land the link between birding tourism the link between managers, tourism habitat working group habitat officials, and birders. conservation, charged with conservation and bird watching developing and viewing and the promoting economics. economic birdwatching as potential of a viable habitat economic conservation. development method, including educating county officials on the economic value of habitat conservation. Host a follow-up workshop Increase in Increased Percent increase 0% 50% 75% for amenities providers knowledge of knowledge in knowledge of (such as hotel/ motel and the link between about the link between restaurant owners) in the habitat promoting habitat 10-county area. conservation, birdwatching as conservation and bird watching a viable viewing and the economic economics. economic development potential of method habitat including conservation. educating county officials on the economic value of habitat conservation. Activities • Describe and quantify the primary activities conducted during this grant (refer back to your approved logic framework, if applicable). Phase I: ECUA Bayou Marcus Wetlands received the most site improvements of the nine project locations. In addition to foot trail improvements, the county independently created a second, handicapped-accessible entrance and parking area. Four shade stops were constructed over benches on the boardwalk. Local birders contributed to the development of the site’s first bird checklist, and 5,000 copies were printed. Two outdoor publication racks were created (set inside steel cabinets underneath new enclosed shelters) which feature the bird checklist, the Birding Trail guide book, and other literature. Five interpretive signs along the trail feature songbirds, wetlands, birds of prey, waterfowl, and wading birds. Interpretive signs and mounts were installed at three additional locations (Blackwater River State Park, Big Lagoon State Park, and Tarkiln Bayou State Park); subjects included wading birds, shorebirds, birds of prey, wetlands, songbirds and watching wildlife. Six project locations (Blackwater Fisheries Center, Blackwater River State Park, Three Rivers State Park, Falling Waters State Park, Ponce de Leon Springs State Park, and St. Joseph Peninsula State Park) received two- sided kiosks (or built their own) with fiberglass interpretive panels highlighting birds found at the sites as well as the Birding Trail program in general. Three project locations constructed 3 to 4 park benches each (St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Falling Waters State Park, and Ponce de Leon Springs State Park). Bird checklists were updated and reprinted for two sites (Blackwater River State Park, 1,000 copies; and Three Rivers State Park, 9,999 copies). Phase II: Two nature-based workshops were held on August 25 and 26, 2009. Seven counties were represented at the first workshop and six counties at the second workshop. Topics discussed at the workshops included the economic benefits of wildlife viewing in Florida; the different types of nature-based tourism, developing marketing campaigns and products around nature-based tourism opportunities; examples of existing nature- based tourism business planning tools; the integral relationship among natural resource conservation, sustainable tourism and community quality of life; diversifying farm and timber operations to include tourism; and developing a regional tourism corridor for the Apalachicola River area. • Briefly explain discrepancies between the activities conducted during the grant and the activities agreed upon in your grant agreement. Phase I activities took place at nine locations instead of seven; two additional parks received and installed interpretive signage and mounts. Trail upgrades took place at one location instead of two locations; site conditions did not lend themselves to creating a handicapped-accessible trail or structure at Blackwater Fisheries Center. However, Blackwater Fisheries Center constructed their own entrance station with a kiosk and notice board for birders using their own funds. Cost savings permitted extra interpretive signage to be purchased for four locations and one additional bench to be constructed at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. Seventeen replacement sign assemblies (poles, signs, brackets and hardware) were purchased; two sign assemblies have already been used. Phase II activities: advertising in a national birding magazine was not conducted, as the region did not have other marketing/promotional plans and materials ready. Results • Describe and quantify progress towards achieving the project objectives or outcomes described in your grant agreement. (Quantify using indicators from your approved logic framework, if applicable, or by using new indicators not included in the application.) For Phase I, 100 percent of the site improvements at the nine locations were completed. The site enhancements are providing visitors with improved experiences. Regarding Phase II, 80 percent of the workshop participants have an action plan with at least one concrete action. Workshop participants reported a 90% increase in the understanding and support of the regional effort to develop nature-based tourism. One-half (50%) of the workshop participants reported an increase in their understanding of the tourism potential of the area. Eight of the Panhandle counties have formed the non-profit organization RiverWay South-Apalachicola/Choctawhatchee, which is now meeting monthly to foster nature-based tourism in the region. The organization applied for and is waiting to receive a $50,000 state tourism grant to support these efforts. • Briefly explain discrepancies between what actually happened compared to what was predicted to happen. Most of the site improvements were straightforward and went as planned, although there were lengthy delays at several locations due to flooding and volunteer coordination problems. One major improvement at Blackwater Fisheries Center was dropped, as conditions did not lend themselves to trail upgrades and a back-up plan to construct a handicapped-accessible shelter was deemed too costly. Funds earmarked for this site were subsequently used to purchase nine interpretive sign panels and mounts at two new and two existing project locations. A magazine advertisement to promote the region to birdwatchers was not created, as the local tourism officials have not had sufficient time for planning or to coordinate their efforts. The workshops represent the first time these individuals have met as a group. • Provide any further information (such as unexpected outcomes) important for understanding project activities and results. This grant encouraged staff at two sites to make additional improvements at their own expense. Escambia County improved handicapped-accessible parking and trail access at the Bayou Marcus Wetlands facility, and