Jono Miller Book Signing

Join us for an enlightening book signing event with Jono Miller, author of "The Palmetto Book: Histories and Mysteries of the Cabbage Palm."

Jono Miller, a renowned natural historian, environmental educator, and activist, has dedicated half a century to understanding and protecting the wild places in Southwest Florida. Now retired, Jono is a former Director of the Environmental Studies Program at New College of Florida, and has been instrumental in protecting over 60,000 acres in Sarasota County.

For the past ten years, Jono has been chronicling the natural and cultural history of our state tree, the cabbage palm, culminating in his remarkable book. Jono will be available to answer any questions and will have both hard cover and soft cover editions of his book for sale.

The event will take place on stage with the perfect backdrop of the scenic Evers Reservoir, alongside a few Cabbage Palms to explore and appreciate. Don't miss this unique opportunity to delve into the intriguing history and mysteries of the Cabbage Palm with an expert guide.

Jono Miller will delve into the fascinating world of the palmetto, also known as the cabbage palm or Sabal palmetto, an iconic symbol of the southeastern American landscape and the state tree of Florida and South Carolina. In his book, Miller uncovers surprising facts and debunks common myths about this important yet often misunderstood native plant.

Miller addresses fundamental questions, such as: Are palms trees? Where do they historically grow? When should palmettos be pruned? What is swamp cabbage, and how is it prepared? Did Winslow Homer's watercolors of palmettos inadvertently document rising sea levels? How can these plants be both flammable and fireproof? Drawing from historical research, Miller suggests that cabbage palms can live for more than two centuries. Remarkably, the palmettos used to build Fort Moultrie during the Revolutionary War thwarted a British attack on Charleston and now grace South Carolina's flag.

Miller's exploration extends into biology, detailing the anatomy of palm fronds and their crisscrossed leaf bases, known as bootjacks. He examines the underground "saxophone" structure of young plant roots and highlights the palmetto's significance for wildlife, including Florida Scrub-Jays and honeybees. He also addresses challenges posed by palmettos in native habitats, citrus groves, and home landscapes.

Discover how we incorporate Miller's extensive knowledge into our boat tours, offering you a deeper appreciation of the palmetto's role in our local ecosystem. Don't miss this opportunity to meet Jono Miller and gain new insights into the remarkable cabbage palm. You may even get to try a raw sample of the heart of palm. See you there!

Artist: Jono Miller