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Pinellas County Commissioners Approve $1.5 Million Funding for WK Preserve

In August, Pinellas County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution directing the County Administrator to negotiate the purchase of the West Klosterman Preserve from its current owner, Pinellas County Schools, in partnership with WK Preservation Group (WKPG). The County has agreed to commit $1.5 million of Penny for Pinellas funds toward the purchase of the 14-acre ecological paradise. With the County’s contribution, WKPG is looking to raise almost $800,000 from donors to meet the $3 million required to save the preserve from development. Help save our greatest natural resources! West Klosterman Preserve is too valuable to our future to be bulldozed.

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What’s at Stake?

A 14-acre parcel of ancient natural forest on West Klosterman Road in Tarpon Springs is in grave danger. The land, adjacent to the 76-acre Mariner Point Management Area (MPMA), an environmental preserve, was purchased in 1990 for $651,500 by Pinellas County Schools (PCS) for educational needs using taxpayer money. In 2020, PCS endorsed selling this natural forest to a developer, ensuring replacement by condominiums and the loss of the natural habitat forever.

The land is ecologically stable. It is home to an ancient natural forest, and endangered and threatened trees, plants, and wildlife. Replacing this unspoiled land with multifamily housing, will bulldoze the property, destroying trees, driving out native animal and plant species, increasing air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions, and creating toxic runoff into the Gulf of Mexico.

Such urban density will generate traffic, strain local infrastructure, and endanger the adjacent MPMA county-protected land that promotes groundwater recharge and improves surface water quality before it enters the Gulf.

Origin Story: #SAVEtheWKP

Take a moment to watch this wonderful documentary about the creation of the WKPG, and the efforts to save the West Klosterman Preserve! This overview was produced by aspiring filmmaker, Caden Colver.

What’s the Status?

The WK Preservation Group Inc., (WKPG) a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the rural heritage of open space by protecting the natural forest, plant life, and all native animals in this community has grown in 2022. A handful of people with a heart for environmental conservation in their neighborhood has grown to over 1,200 supporters and donors today with a vision to save “Slices of Paradise” across Pinellas County and Tampa Bay. By working with Pinellas Community Foundation (PCF) and coalition building with the Sierra Club, the Audubon Society, Blue-Green Connections, and the Florida Native Plant Society, WKPG gathered recognition by government agencies in Pinellas County and the State of Florida. They gained appropriations twice from the State of Florida, yet they were left unfunded by Governor DeSantis. Despite setbacks, WKPG and PCF are maintaining fundraising with an unwavering vision of saving the West Klosterman Preserve for the benefit of future generations.

On August 15, 2023, Pinellas County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution directing the County Administrator to negotiate the purchase of the West Klosterman Preserve from its current owner, Pinellas County Schools, in partnership with WKPG. The County has agreed to commit $1.5 million of Penny for Pinellas funds toward the purchase.
Pinellas County has agreed to accept ownership and operation of the property as a part of the Mariner’s Point Management Area ecosystem once it is secured.

WKPG has already raised more than $700,000 from private citizens and organizations with a passion for preservation of environmental treasures like the West Klosterman Preserve. With the County’s contribution, WKPG will need to raise almost $800,000 from donors to meet the $3 million required for purchase. It is vital to close the fundraising gap as quickly as possible. In the next few months, we will amplify donations from the community to make the West Klosterman Preserve a reality.

Join Our Action Plan

Pinellas Community Foundation’s partnership with WKPG broadens PCF’s commitment to environmental and conservation causes. Since 1969, PCF has served the community through collaborations with non-profits addressing the county’s greatest needs. Our ecological impact is strengthened by combining WKPG’s passion to preserve natural habitat in Pinellas County with PCF’s philanthropic expertise, charitable gift planning resources and wise council. Together, PCF and WKPG intend to save the West Klosterman Preserve and then work on other conservation projects and opportunities in Pinellas County. We invite all community members interested in environmental preservation to donate, share the story of the WK Preserve with others, reach out to their elected official commissioners in a call to action for support, and signup for updates through the WKPG newsletter.

How You Can Help

1. Make a Donation
2. Share With Friends

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How Sharing Helps

We need to raise as much support as possible in as little time as possible to ensure we save this important natural forest for future generations. By helping get the word out that the land is in danger, you increase our chances of saving it. And when the WK Preserve is saved, we can move on to future projects knowing that the power of your support, joined with many others, can make a difference in preservation and conservation of our natural spaces.

Thank You for Supporting the Partnership Between PCF and WKPG for Preservation Projects

With your help, we will be able to secure and protect natural habitats from destruction and return them to Pinellas County citizens — an eternal reminder of your generosity and dedication to our home.

For more information about the WK Preservation Group Inc, and for the latest developments on the WK Preserve, including events and volunteer activities, visit the WK Preservation Group website.

The WK Preserve property is located on West Klosterman Road, two blocks from the Gulf. The legal description is TAMPA & TARPON SPRINGS LAND CO NW 1/4, SEC 23-27-15 E 150FT OF LOT 26, ALL OF LOT 27 & W 30FT OF LOT 28. Please contact the WK Preservation Group Inc. for information on guided tours.

PINELLAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IS A 501(c)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION REGISTERED WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PINELLAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION (CH3646) MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE 800-435-7352 OR VISITING WWW.FACS.GOV. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. YOUR GIFT MAY BE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE; PLEASE CONSULT YOUR TAX PROFESSIONAL TO EXPLORE YOUR BENEFITS.