The Florida National Scenic Trail will mark its 30th anniversary during 2013, and a special event is scheduled for January 4 to dedicate the trail's Southern Terminus with a monument at the Oasis Visitor Center in Big Cypress National Preserve.

Designated by Congress as a National Scenic Trail in 1983, the FNST now spans more than 1,000 miles from Big Cypress National Preserve to Gulf Islands National Seashore. To mark this anniversary, staff from the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service along with Florida Trail Association volunteers, and the first thru-hikers of the 2013 season, will dedicate the trail's Southern Terminus with a monument at the Oasis Visitor Center.

The monument dedication ceremony will take place on January 4 at 10 a.m. at the Oasis Visitor Center, located at 52105 Tamiami Trail East, Ochopee, Florida 34141. Visitors are welcome to join USFS staff, NPS staff, and FTA members on a day hike in Big Cypress National Preserve after which the Thru-hikers will continue their trek north to Gulf Islands National Seashore.

The Preserve is home to nearly 40 miles of the scenic trail and portions of which offer some of the most remote trails in Florida. For more information on the FNSTand its management, please visit the USFS website at www.fs.usda.gov/fnst and to learn more about hiking and volunteering opportunities on the Florida National Scenic Trail visit the Florida Trail Association website.