Read the original article HERE
We are very excited to announce that Jim Kern was featured on the front page of the St. Augustine Record! Jim, founder of the Florida Trail Association (FTA), was interviewed by the local paper to promote his vision of creating a footpath that extends from one end of the state to the other. The trail currently begins at the Big Cyprus National Preserve in south Florida and ends at the Gulf Islands National Seashore near Pensacola, but has several gaps that take away from the experience significantly. Jim’s mission is to close these gaps and build a continuous 1500-mile trail throughout the state.
The article, which you can find here, goes into some history of how Jim’s passion was sparked by a simple hike with his brother. Soon after, his love for nature, hiking, and photography led him to journey through Florida and document his travels. His experiences called to his attention the importance of preserving Florida’s natural beauty. He garnered public support for a statewide trail system and has been working hard ever since to maintain and expand the footpath.
If you want to help Jim and the people who share his vision, visit the homepage hikingtrailsforamerica.org where you can volunteer, subscribe to our e-newsletter, or donate. You can also sign our petition to close the gaps in the National Scenic Trails by clicking here.