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E3. C. INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA AGENDA ITEM Department of General Services / Parks & Recreation Division — Conservation Resources Date: December 22, 2020 To: The Honorable Board of County Commissioners Thru: Jason E. Brown, County Administrator Michael C. Zito, Assistant County Administrator Kevin M. Kirwin, Parks & Recreation Director From: Beth Powell, Asst. Director Parks & Conservation Resources Subject: 2020 Conservation Lands Program Update This informational item has been prepared to provide the Board and the general public with an overview of the current and projected activities for the Conservation Lands Program. It is our goal to maintain effective communication by updating the progress of various projects that have been designed to increase public access and enjoyment of the County's Conservation lands Program. Parks and Recreation — Conservation Resources staff continue to develop a strategic approach to advancing public access improvements and land management projects within each of the conservation areas. This approach places special emphasis on conservation area management plans that have a commitment to Florida Communities Trust (FCT) to fulfill specific obligations, while at the same time addressing goals and objectives of the Board and the Department with respect to the Capital Improvement Element of the Comprehensive Plan. In addition to physical improvements to the conservation areas, staff has been working through the newly combined Parks & Recreation Division to improve outreach and education. Staff evaluated various companies and options for providing the public with a mobile based app that contains trail data. specific to our conservation areas. In October, staff selected Outerspatial to provide these services. GIS and Conservation staff have been working to transfer all necessary data to the company for a live launch expected to occur in late January. With this in mind, and in light of the current social distancing protocols related to COVID-19, staff also sought ways to encourage visitation at our conservation areas. In person education programs are generally the preferred method to introduce conservation areas to new visitors, however, with the need for social distancing measures and reduced group sizes, engagement is limited. Staff looked for alternative ways to engage larger numbers of people and to improve educational information available that encourages the public to visit the conservation area trails and amenities. Staff worked with the Budget Department to utilize CARES Act funding to produce 8 educational videos for this purpose. These videos will be available on a variety of platforms including the County's website, Facebook pages, Channel 27, You Tube, Vimeo, Conservation Lands Program Update— Informational Item January 207