abc school – turtle habitat
Apalachicola, FL 32320
At ABC School, the courtyard had to do double duty — a gathering place for the school community and a living habitat for the region's native box turtles. Cobble pathways widen the existing concrete into safe, generous routes, while mixed native planting gives the turtles cover to burrow, nest, and periscope from, shaped in consultation with a local biologist. A central fountain anchors the space, so a working turtle habitat reads first as a beautiful courtyard to gather in.
project goals.
Fortify pathways for safety
Create a homeostatic turtle habitat
Beautify outdoor space
Include irrigation
“A communal courtyard that promotes safe passage, supports life and evokes wonder.”
conceptual drawings.
Working closely with the school and its board, we developed a plan that built upon what was already there. The existing fountain became a focal point of the new garden, while the existing pathways—whose removal was outside the project budget—were incorporated into the design rather than replaced. Small sections of the pathway were cut out to weave irrigation throughout the site, allowing new planting to be fully supported without disturbing the existing hardscape more than necessary. The plan reshaped the spaces around them with new planting and gathering areas, while carefully respecting the school's existing turtle habitat. The result is a garden that makes thoughtful use of existing features while creating a more cohesive, welcoming landscape for students, teachers, visitors—and turtles.
the completed space.
the finer details.
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Belgian Cobble by Belgard forms the hardscape foundation, bringing a timeless, textural quality to the space. Pine straw finishes the planting beds, helping retain soil moisture while maintaining a loose, natural surface — a detail that also lets the site's resident turtles continue to burrow undisturbed.
Site consultation on wildlife habitat provided by local biologist Scott Davis.
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Existing Sabal palm, bottlebrush, firebush, azalea, crinum, and banana were retained and worked into the new design, preserving the site's established character. Crape myrtle, dwarf Yaupon holly, highbush blueberry, plumbago, and additional azaleas and firebush were added to build on that foundation, layering in new texture, seasonal color, and screening throughout the space.
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Fakahatchee and fountain grass add movement throughout the beds, paired with native perennials like coreopsis, beebalm, and pineapple sage that bring seasonal color and support local pollinators.
