When the Florida U.S. Forest Service’s recommendation for Alternate C went to Washington D.C., I wrote the following letter to the National Trail Program Manager of the U.S. Forest Service. It will answer questions that many people have raised …
The Controversial Plan to Protect America’s Trails
Last August Outside Online Magazine published “The Controversial Plan to Protect America’s Trails.” It’s the story of how we have been fighting to close the gaps in our National Scenic Trails. Here’s the link:https://www.outsideonline.com/2400511/scenic-trails-eminent-domain-protection-drawbacks
theTrek.co Interview – Closing the Gaps by Colleen Goldhorn
theTrek.co article by Colleen Goldhorn: Recently Jim spent about an hour speaking with Colleen Goldhorn with theTrek.co. theTrek.co is a website dedicated to shining the spotlight on current hikers’ journeys, helping future hikers and celebrating our nation’s longest trails. As …
Rest in Peace Ernie Baldini
In Memoriam Like many others I had a wonderful Florida Trail journey with Ernie and Jean Baldini. May they rest in peace in God’s heaven. One of my favorite hikes with Ernie was along the edge of the Kissimmee flood …
Hats Off to the U.S. Forest Service and Florida Trail Association
The sole mission of the Friends of the Florida Trail is the close the gaps on our Florida Trail – by any means required. In keeping with our mission, it is important that we recognize and congratulate the U.S. Forest …
Get Outside and Hike – Doctor’s Orders!
By P. Glenn “Doc” Tremml, MD I need to get outside before something terrible happens! Really. Last year, I hiked three to four times per week for six months in preparation to thru-hike the 1,300 mile Florida National Scenic Trail, …
The Use of Eminent Domain in the Completion of the National Trails System
By Jim Kern, President, Hiking Trails for America Throughout 2018 the hiking community will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the passage of the 1968 National Trails Systems Act. There were two major parts to the Act. Congress provided the …
The Use of Eminent Domain in the Completion of the National Trails System
By Bruce E. Matthews, Retired Executive Director, North Country Trail Association The condemnation of private lands for public use (eminent domain) was widely practiced by the National Park Service from its inception through the 1970’s in carrying out Congressionally-approved authorizations …
HIKING THE FLORIDA TRAIL WITH JIM KERN
St. Augustine Social, June 2015 by Meeka Anne Armed with a backpack and a camera, Jim Kern tells stories, forges footpaths, and pioneers preservation efforts for America’s hiking trails. You never know who you might meet in St. Augustine. Jim …
Jim Kern started the Florida Trail five decades ago; he’s still waiting for the Legislature finish it
Tampa Bay Times, June 2017 Look how far you can get just by putting one foot in front of the other. Jim Kern has hiked trails all over the globe. He just got back from walking around Corsica. He’s clambered …