Progress on Horizon for Franklin County Public Library Site

For more information,
Dan Tonsmeire, 850-508-7787
dan@apalachicolariverkeeper.org

Progress on Horizon for Franklin County Public Library Site

Apalachicola, FL – The Apalachicola Riverkeeper and Friends of the Franklin County Public Library are

pleased to announce that the wheels of progress are moving again, and neighbors living around the new

Franklin County Public Library site in Eastpoint may notice that work to complete this project has begun.

The project includes developing onsite environmental educational opportunities, including a trail. Work

is scheduled to begin December 6.

According to Apalachicola Riverkeeper Executive Director and Riverkeeper Dan Tonsmeire: “We

plan to do fuel reduction of underbrush and thinning of some trees in order to enhance the wetland and

optimize the natural community’s habitat function. Also, we will evaluate the site’s long-term vegetation

management plan.”

Benefits to fuel reduction and thinning include prevention of wildfires and reduction of fire

hazards to homeowners. An exemption permit for this activity was issued in April 2012 by the Florida

Department of Environmental Protection to the Friends of the Franklin County Public Library.

An initial grant from the Northwest Florida Water Management District secured a beautiful

13-acre site on Old Ferry Dock Road. Fundraising efforts have resulted in a concrete slab and exterior

completion of a 5,000-square-foot library and administrative office building.

Ongoing fundraising by the Friends of Franklin County Public Library will complete and furnish

the interior of the building. When the library is finished, it will offer the community not only an

expanded, modern space for collections and programs, but educational nature walks over the protected

wetlands.

The Apalachicola Riverkeeper is a 1000+ member non-profit organization dedicated to the

protection and stewardship of the Apalachicola River and Bay. Through advocacy, the Apalachicola

Riverkeeper builds new partnerships and develops collaborative approaches to address the most

serious threats to the River and Bay, its tributaries and watersheds, in order to improve and maintain

its environmental integrity and to preserve the natural, scenic, recreational, and commercial fishing

character of these waterways. For more information, visit www.apalachicolariverkeeper.org.

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A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE PROTECTION AND STEWARDSHIP OF THE APALACHICOLA RIVER & BAY
PO Box 8 (232-B Water Street) Apalachicola FL 32329 (850) 653-8936 Riverkeeper@ApalachicolaRiverkeeper.org


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