24 Jul Tread Lightly! Impact Report: Osceola National Forest–Mt. Carrie Trailhead Restoration
Project: Osceola National Forest–Mt. Carrie Trailhead Restoration
Location: Florida
Description: This project was funded by Can-Am Off-Road. Can-Am has committed to funding trail stewardship projects in partnership with Tread Lightly! to help maintain and improve access to public lands and off-road trails.
On June 14th and 15th, a team of 14 volunteers from local motorized recreation groups, Can-Am Off-Road, Tread Lightly! and the US Forest Service executed a multi-phase beautification and restoration project at the Mt. Carrie OHV Trailhead in Osceola National Forest.
Phase one of the project was to install 536 feet of fencing to keep vehicles from driving and parking on the trailhead perimeter vegetation. As this is an area listed as a historic site within the forest, the 68 post holes were dug by hand, marked by GPS, and the sand sifted to screen for any artifacts that may have been buried in the sand. This location was the former site of the town of Mt. Carrie, FL, established in the late 1800’s. As forest logging became strong, Mt Carrie grew, adding a railway depot, US Post Office and eventually a turpentine distillery. Today it is a popular trailhead for motorized recreation.
The second phase of the two project days was to install a wooden forest kiosk to house future Tread Lightly! responsible recreation messaging, the forest trail and road map, and information about important, endangered wildlife in Osceola NF. The final component of the project was to collect and properly dispose of trash around the trailhead, leaving it beautiful and ready for the OHV riders to return to this popular location. In total, volunteers packed out 158 pounds of trash from the area.
Thank you to the partners who made this possible:
“A huge thank you to our partner Can-Am for their support of this project. This was our first stewardship project in Osceola NF and we were able to provide the Mt. Carrie OHV Trailhead with much needed perimeter fencing, a kiosk and educational responsible recreation messaging for this popular OHV trailhead. Volunteers came from all forms of motorized recreation types, including single-track, ATV, UTV, and full-size 4×4 rigs. Thank you to all our volunteers, the incredible Osceola NF team, and to Can-Am for making this project possible.”- Lowell Eckart, Southeast Program Manager, Tread Lightly!
“This project significantly enhanced the trailhead for the benefit of Osceola National Forest OHV riders. Visitors can now enjoy an informative kiosk and a safe and beautified parking area. The new fencing will protect the forest flora and fauna from off-trail vehicle damage. And it was so much fun! On behalf of the many U.S. Forest Service staff members that participated, I thank our Tread Lightly! and Can-Am partners for delivering a spectacular service event!” -Matthew Chopp, Recreation Program Manager, Osceola National Forest
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