Florida

Florida Statewide Greenways System

The goal of the Florida Statewide Greenways System Planning Project was to delineate a physical plan for a statewide greenways system, combining the results of GIS modeling and public input while following guidelines contained in the Florida Greenways Commission's December 1994 Report to the Governor. The project was undertaken by the University of Florida in cooperation with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Department of Transportation, the Florida Greenways Commission and the Florida Greenways Coordinating Council.

The 40-member, Governor-appointed Florida Greenways Commission engaged representatives of public agencies, conservation nonprofits and the private sector in planning an interconnected, statewide system of greenways and greenspaces that would benefit Florida’s people and wildlife. The following statements and graphic portray their concept of Florida’s green infrastructure.

“The Commission’s vision for Florida represents a new way of looking at conservation, an approach that emphasizes the interconnected-ness of both our natural systems and our common goals and recognizes that the state’s “green infrastructure” is just as important to conserve and manage as our built infrastructure…We believe the recommendations in our report offer Florida an incredible opportunity to create a statewide greenways system that connects fragmented or isolated elements of the state’s green infrastructure, and that connects people with their natural, historic and cultural heritage…A healthy and diverse green infrastructure is the underlying basis of our state’s sustainable future..."

The Commission’s vision statement and graphic guided the subsequent design of the statewide system and the development of its plan for implementation.

For more information on this project, see Related Links at bottom right of screen.

Download the Florida Case Study (pdf).