Community Clerk to Restore Native Florida Landscape

Manatee Clerk, R.B. Chips Shore

BRADENTON – With the renovations to the historic Manatee County Courthouse drawing to a close, plans to restore the courthouse grounds to their original design are underway. Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, R.B. ”Chips“ Shore, has worked with local historians and horticulturalists to develop plans that include native Florida plants.

”As part of National Arbor Day, my office has partnered with Keep Manatee Beautiful to plant one good sized Dahoon Holly tree in the northeast corner of the courthouse grounds. It’s the first of many native species that will be replanted as part of a larger landscaping plan. Indigenous plants are easier and less expensive to maintain and they add to the cultural integrity of the community,“ says Shore.

There will be a brief ceremony on Friday, April 17th at 1:00 p.m. to plant the Dahoon Holly tree. Over the next few weeks, the last of the non-native trees and shrubbery will be removed from the grounds of the historic courthouse.