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Ecological
significance. Emphasis will be given to high quality or
significant bird habitats, especially those that contribute
to avian diversity on a regional level.
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Birdwatching characteristics. The probability of seeing
birds, at least during specified season(s), is high. The
main viewing attraction(s) are native, free-roaming bird
species. Consideration may be given to species valued by the
public for their beauty or rarity.
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Site
resiliency. The site has the ability to withstand public
usage. Fragile ecosystems or habitats with sensitive species
should not be included. Other sites which have birds during
sensitive periods of the life cycle (i.e. breeding and
nesting) can have restricted visitor access during those
times, unless it can be demonstrated that public use can be
sufficiently confined so as not to harm the site's natural
values that make it good bird habitat.
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Physical
and legal access. The site is reasonably accessible to
the public. In the absence of guaranteed public access to
private land, birdwatching from an adjacent public road may
be recommended with the cooperation form all parties
involved.
a.) Public ownership - site is open to public use.
b.) Private ownership - the landowner is willing to
guarantee in writing public access, including controlled
public access through guided, prearranged tours.
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Economic
significance. A community tourism infrastructure, such
as a Chamber of Commerce or Tourism Development Council,
exits in the adjacent community(ies).
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Maintenance
support. Site has full support of all partners involved,
especially partners providing maintenance of the site other
than state or federal partners.
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Educational
significance. Site has educational signage or programs
pertaining to birds.
A diversity of sites is
appropriate for the Trail – the Birding Trail features
something for all skill and mobility levels. Sites can be on
public or private land; be excellent birding year-round or just
in one season; their access can even be restricted to
"appointments only". If you have questions about whether a
potential site is appropriate for the trail, please contact the
Birding Trail Coordinator. It may be a
fabulous birdwatching opportunity and a great benefit to your
local economy.
What Happens After a Site is
Nominated?
After a site nomination is
submitted, it is checked for completion. If it was not
submitted by the property owner/manager, the Birding Trail
Coordinator contacts the land manager to congratulate them, and
then forwards it for their review, and hopefully, their
concurrence.
Birding Trail staff visit
each nominated site. Meeting with site managers and
nominators is helpful, but not always possible; therefore, the
completeness of your application is very important.
Selection of sites. A
steering committee meets to review the nominated sites and to
make the final selection. The committee is comprised of
representatives from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation
Commission, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, US
Fish and Wildlife Services, Audubon, and Visit Florida.
When Will Nominations for Each
Section be Accepted Again?
Beginning with the East section
in Summer 2007, the nomination process for each section of the
trail will be reopened approximately every five years so that
new sites may be included.
Sections will be revisited in the order they were opened.
Due to budget constraints, we have revised our site nomination
schedule. Below is our tentative timeframe:
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