A tremendous amount of work already is being done in Florida to purchase conservation lands and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation. What sets the Florida Greenways Program envisioned by the Commission apart is its emphasis on con ne, tioni, not for their own sake, but as a way of looking at how all the state's conservation and recreation programs, acquisitions and existing sites can work together toward common goals. The first step in this process is for the 1995 Florida Legislature to create and fund a new Florida Greenways Coordinating Council, appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the House and President of the Senate. This new Council would not supplant existing programs or efforts. Instead, it would work to bring them together.

The Council would be charged with building:

• connections between places through creation of the statewide greenways system;
  
  
• connections between the tools and techniques used to create greenways, like mitigation banking and private stewardship;
  
  
• connections between people, the many agencies, organizations, and individuals working on greenway projects; and
  
  
• connections between action already going on at the state, regional and local level.
  
  

The Florida Greenways Coordinating Council would assume the role of coordinating, educating and providing leadership for greenway efforts. This role is important to building a sustainable future for the State of Florida. The Coordinating Council, in conjunction with Florida's executive agencies, Would be responsible for producing a Five-year Florida Greenways System Implementation Plan that would clearly define Florida's statewide greenways system, and set goals and policies for its implementation. The Council also would be responsible for data-gathering, and producing design specifications for the system.

The current Florida Greenways Commission will exist until the end of 1995. In addition to working with key state agencies, legislative staff and other important public and private partners to lay the groundwork for the Florida Greenways Coordinating Council, the Commission will undertake these additional associated activities during 1995:

1. In cooperation with the Governor and the Sesquicentennial Commission, recognize 150 Florida Greenways during the state's Sesquicentennial Celebration.

2. Continue developing and refining the Florida Greenways database and map series, with an increased focus on identifying critical, justifiable future system linkages and the addition of more detailed local community data.

3. Production of a Florida Greenways Community Resource Guide and a model comprehensive plan amendment to help communities create greenways at the local level.