Dunedin Fundraising Concert Sold Out But Can Be Seen Virtually

DUNEDIN, FL — Within days of offering tickets, a fundraising concert to purchase a Pinellas County conservation site was sold out.

The Suncoast Sierra Club said this is indicative of the widespread interest in preserving the county's largest undeveloped scrub habitat.

But residents wanting to help the county and city of Dunedin purchase the Gladys Douglas conservation site can still take part in the fundraiser Wednesday, Jan. 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. by watching the livestream of the concert and bidding on auction items.

To register to watch, click here or watch it on the Florida Native Plant Society YouTube Channel.

Hosted by the Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, Blue-Green Connections and Woodwright Brewing Company, with partners the Pinellas Community Foundation, Suncoast Group Sierra Club and activist Nichole Mattheus, the #Save the Gladys Douglas Propertyfundraiser will be an open-air concert at the Woodwright Brewing Company beer garden at 985 Douglas Ave., Dunedin.

Professor Craig Huegel, an environmental consultant, author of numerous books on native plants and host of WMNF radio's "The Waking Hours" will serve as master of ceremonies.

Elected officials and local leaders who have rallied to preserve the property will speak, and the event will conclude with the announcement of how much money has been raised.

Dunedin philanthropist and owner of the property, Gladys Douglas-Hackworth, expressed her wish to preserve the 43.44-acre parcel before her death last summer. The critically endangered scrub habitat is located at the intersection of Keene Road and Virginia Avenue just outside the Dunedin city limits. It abuts Jerry Lake and a scrub habitat owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, making it the largest undeveloped sandy ecosystem remaining in North Pinellas County.

However, after her death, trustees of her estate entertained an offer from national home builder Pulte to purchase and develop the property for $14.5 million.

Outraged residents led by Nichole Mattheus and members of the Sierra Club protested the sale of the property to Pulte, hosting weekly sign wavings, launching a petition drive signed by 14,000 residents and urging the county and city of Dunedin to purchase the property and save it from developers.

Their appeal was heard loud and clear by county and city leaders who agreed to buy the conservation land if the community would help raise funds to pay the trustees' firm $10 million asking price. The county appraised the property at $5.5 million.

The Pinellas County Commission agreed to commit $3.5 million in county funds to purchase the property and the city agreed to come up with another $2 million. The county has also requested $2.4 million in grant funding from the Florida Department of Environment Protection Florida Communities Trust program, of which $1.5 million will go to offset the county’s contribution.

In addition, Pinellas County philanthropists Rebecca and Stu Sjouwerman have donated another $2 million through the Pinellas Community Foundation. Stu Sjouwerman is the founder and CEO of the Clearwater cybersecurity training company, KnowBe4.

Donations ranging from $5 up have been trickling into the #Save the Gladys Douglas Property donation page, adding up to about $53,000.

The Gladys Douglas estate trustees have agreed to extend the county's deadline to purchase the property from Jan. 18 to 31. However, the county is still about $2 million short of their asking price.

Organizers are hoping the benefit concert will raise the remaining money needed to purchase the conservation site. The Pinellas County chapter of the Native Plant Society has pledged to match all money collected from the fundraiser up to $5,000.

"We are balancing the community's strong desire to preserve the property with our responsibility to be good stewards of the taxpayers' money, and deeply appreciate the donors who have stepped forward to support these two goals," said Pinellas County Administrator Barry A. Burton.

“"We want to honor Gladys Douglas' memory," said Dunedin City Manager Jennifer Bramley. "She was a pillar of the community for many years.

"This is a true community effort, both public and private, to acquire the property, all 44 acres,” Bramley said.

Anyone wishing to donate to the effort can do so by clicking here. Auction items are still being accepted.

See related stories:

• Dunedin, Pinellas Move Ahead To Purchase Gladys Douglas Land
• Pinellas County, City Of Dunedin In Lockstep On Douglas Hackworth Property
• City Of Dunedin, Pinellas County, Close To Acquiring The Gladys Douglas Hackworth Preserve
• Pinellas County To Negotiate Purchase Of Douglas-Hackworth Land
• Residents Fight To Save Conservation Parcel From Becoming Condos
• Conservation Land Saved From Condos; City Hopes To Purchase