The Success of Its Living Landscape Project

Celebrated By Palm Harbor Museum

On Thursday, December 8th, Palm Harbor Museum ushered in a new era with an official ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of its Living Landscape Project. Funded by Pinellas County’s MSTU (Municipal Services Taxing Units) grant, the project’s intention was to reintroduce Florida native plants on the museum’s grounds to complement existing historic specimen plants. Informational signage was added to educate visitors and convey stories from local history.

The event began with an open house at the museum as volunteers and members of Palm Harbor Historical Society welcomed attendees and led informal tours. Volunteer Deanna Green is an informative guide who is passionate about the history of the landscape. A Palm Harbor resident since the 1970s, she remembers when the area was abundant with orange groves. “When you walked outside, it smelled amazing,” she said.

Today the museum’s Living Landscape has reintroduced native shrubs and flowering trees that will evolve and mature to produce a native Bird Thicket, Wildflower Garden, Florida Butterfly Garden, Heritage Rose Garden, Muhly Meadow, and Pollinator Overlook.

It was 18 months ago when we began meeting to set the intention to transform our museum campus into a pocket park featuring Florida native plants,” said Terry Fortner, Project Facilitator and Volunteer Coordinator, as she kicked off the ceremony. “We wanted our plantings to appropriately and directly support native species of animals. Our intention was also to create an outdoor exhibit with informational signage to highlight historical aspects of the property, including respectful acknowledgment for the indigenous first people of Florida, the subsequent use of this property by European Americans, and to highlight the essential ethnobotanical use of plants by humans in every era.”

Terry also acknowledged the contribution of Kira Graphics, in Oldsmar, which assisted with the signage; Pinellas County Government, for both guidance and funding; and Keep Pinellas Beautiful for their contributions during the four intensive workdays and with ongoing tending of the landscape. Terry noted there have been over 550 documented hours invested and the involvement of over 63 volunteers.

This was a big deal for our museum,” she said. “We invested a lot of careful attention in the written application, and after approval, the work to fulfill the vision got real . . . really fast.”

Evan Earle, Beautification Specialist for Keep Pinellas Beautiful, explained that the project brings diversity to the environment. “We now attract pollinators. We have berries for birds and animals, and we have a diversity of plants that will eventually fill in and create a nice barrier along Belcher Road.” The new landscape, he said, will allow people to see what Pinellas County and Palm Harbor used to look like many years ago.

Reverend Bob Fortner, president of Palm Harbor Historical Society, introduced his fellow board members and also acknowledged Keep Pinellas Beautiful, as well as GFWC North Pinellas Women’s Club, West Klosterman Preserve, and the Pinellas Chapter of Florida Native Plants Society. He thanked several groups who had representatives in attendance, including Palm Harbor Library, Pinellas County African American History Museum, Dunedin Fine Art Center, Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources, and Pinellas County Development Review Services.

Nancy McKibben, Assistant to the County Administrator Representing Unincorporated North County Communities at Pinellas County Government, introduced Tom Almonte, Assistant County Administrator; Paul Cozzie, Director of Parks and Conservation Resources; Tom Scofield, Pinellas County Historic Preservation Planner; and County Commissioners Dave Eggers and Charlie Justice. Commissioner Justice also serves as the Pinellas County Commission’s 2022 Chairman and had the honor of cutting the ribbon to officially introduce the Living Landscape to the public, followed by jubilant applause.

Enjoy the museum,” Bob Fortner told the crowd in his closing remarks. “It’s your museum after all.”

Palm Harbor Museum invites volunteers who would like to help with ongoing care of the gardens. For information, call 727-724-3054 or email PalmHarborMuseum@outlook.com. The museum is open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. Donations are welcome.

Story written exclusively for Destination Tampa Bay for editorial purposes. Photos also taken by Dianne Gravemen.

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