The updated book features new parks, new paintings and new information on TPF’s work and mission
Jacksonville, Fla., Jan. 7, 2025 – Timucuan Parks Foundation (TPF) has partnered with Artist and Author Kathy Stark on the new edition of her book, “The Wilderness of North Florida’s Parks,” a blend of art and education of the great unspoiled stretches of the wild park system in the North Florida region. The book, now for sale, has been updated with some new elements, including additional parks, new artwork, day trip ideas, guides and more. The printing of the new edition was funded through community sponsorships including title sponsor Wildlight. The book helps fulfill the mission of TPF, promoting local wilderness parks and preserves.
“With the support of community sponsors, I am so happy the book is available again and updated, so it is a great resource for our community to get outside in nature and be inspired to care for these parks and preserves,” said Stark. “I love painting watercolors from my experiences in our wilderness areas. My work inspired me to assemble this book to share these special places with others and encourage everyone to venture outside and visit our parks. Our wild backyard is our greatest asset and one that we should all preserve, protect, promote and enjoy.”
“The Wilderness of North Florida’s Parks” second edition is a paperback book with 120 full-color pages featuring local wilderness parks and preserves. It includes a fold-out map showing all the parks, preserves, conservation areas, and forests within one hour of downtown Jacksonville. There are 22 large-scale paintings of the parks, a Leave No Trace principles page, and a page dedicated to “rewilding your yard.”
Readers will learn about Stark’s other community project: her WPA NPS-inspired park posters. Stark created posters in the 1930s style that feature local parks and three nonprofits, including TPF. Also included in the book is information on TPF, St. Johns Riverkeeper and North Florida Land Trust (NFLT). Mark Woods, an author and Florida Times-Union columnist, wrote the foreward for the book. NFLT President and CEO Allison DeFoor provided a Now or Never afterword and there is an additional afterword from the late Bob Graham, former Florida governor and senator.
The book is for sale at www.kathystark.com, REI, Cummer Museum, Beaches, Museum, Happy Medium Books Cafe, Book Mark, North Guana Outpost and Story and Song Books with more locations to come. Stark will also be doing future presentations about the book in partnership with TPF. A portion of the sales of the book at the presentations will benefit TPF.
Stark, a Jacksonville native and fine artist, specializes in watercolor and oil paintings. Most of her artwork depicts natural Florida landscapes. She launched “The Wilderness of North Florida’s Parks” in 2017, along with a traveling exhibit, inspiring her to become a parks advocate. She joined the board of directors of TPF in 2018 and now serves as a parks ambassador and special advisor to TPF.
About Timucuan Parks Foundation
The Timucuan Parks Foundation is a nonprofit organization that preserves, promotes and enhances Jacksonville’s natural areas through community engagement, education and enjoyment. The foundation originated in 1999 with the Preservation Project Jacksonville, Inc. to identify and assist in acquiring the most vulnerable and environmentally sensitive lands in Duval County. The acquisition of lands created the largest urban park system in the United States. The Timucuan Parks Foundation works with its park partners, including the National Park Service, Florida State Parks and the City of Jacksonville, to promote environmental stewardship, the health benefits of the parks and preserves, and an appreciation for Jacksonville’s special outdoor spaces. For more information, visit timucuanparks.org or follow @timucuanparks.