New Florida Trail open from Choctawhatchee River to Eglin A.F.B.
Trail lovers from around the area celebrated the opening of the new 20 mile stretch of the Florida National Scenic Trail’s Nokuse Plantation and the Lafayette Creek tract on Oct. 25.
Completion of this section of hiking trail closes a significant gap in the 1,400-mile Florida National Scenic Trail that winds along a wilderness corridor the length of Florida. Hikers can explore natural Florida and learn about the area’s biodiversity along the trail.
The parcel was a missing link in the Florida Trail and now connects the Choctawhatchee River to Eglin A.F.B.
M.C. Davis, landowner and founder of the Nokuse Plantation and E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center, spoke at the ceremony and shared his thoughts about the value of sharing nature for future generations.
“I intend to spend the rest of my life and the rest of my resources recycling it back into nature,” M.C. Davis said.
The Nokuse Plantation and Lafayette Creek tract was purchased from M.C. Davis, and has partnered, along with the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center, Nature Conservancy, Northwest Florida Water Management District, Gulf Coast Plain Ecosystem Partnership, the Forest Service and Florida Trail Association in making this valuable parcel of biodiversity for all to enjoy for future generations.
For more information about Florida trails, go to www.floridatrail.org