The exhibition at the Fernandina Beach Branch Library will be on display through Dec. 31
Timucuan Parks Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Exhibition has transferred to the Fernandina Beach Branch Library. In partnership with the Friends of the Fernandina Beach Library and Nassau County Public Library, the nonprofit’s “Celebrate and Explore Our Wilderness Parks” exhibition will run from now through December 31, 2020. The exhibition features Northeast Florida’s parks and preserves through the eyes of local artists, plus information on the natural areas that TPF supports.
“Our local parks and preserves are such a wonderful asset for North Florida and we are excited to be able to share their beauty with people in Fernandina Beach,” said TPF Executive Director Mark Middlebrook. “The exhibition is designed to give visitors a glimpse into the history and future of our organization as we continue our work to support our natural areas that are here for all to enjoy.”
The exhibition includes four park paintings by Kathy Stark, video drone footage captured by Tom Schifanella, and still images taken by photographer Will Dickey. The video on display can now be found at https://www.timucuanparks.org/20th-celebration. The exhibition features panels that highlight the nonprofit’s accomplishments of the last 20 years as well as their current resiliency, health, engagement and park development initiatives. It will also include educational opportunities that can be found on the Fernandina Beach Branch Library website (https://nassaureads.com/locations/fernandinabeach/) and the Friends of the Library website (www.fernandinafol.org).
“The Fernandina Beach Branch Library and the Friends of the Library are pleased to have this exciting exhibit available for our community to enjoy and learn about our beautiful natural park resources available to us through the Timucuan Parks Foundation,” said Christine W. Meehan, Friends of the Library Art Committee Chair. “The exhibit will hang in our Library Community Gallery Room through the end of the year.”
TPF and its city, state and national park partners have two new focuses; the 7 Creeks Trail Partnership and the Barrier Islands. The purpose is to help the community identify parts of town that incorporate numerous preservation areas they can visit. TPF is also promoting the parks for their sense of place and sense of well-being. The organization wants to instill a sense of place for residents and visitors and for North Florida to be known for its parks and preserves. They are also promoting the sense of well-being the parks provide and the health benefits of spending time in parks.
Timucuan Parks Foundation originated in 1999 as Preservation Project Jacksonville to acquire vulnerable and environmentally sensitive lands to build one of the largest park systems in the U.S. The organization now works to protect, promote and enhance the preservation parks through a strong partnership with the City of Jacksonville, Florida State Parks and the National Park Service.