Renowned paleontologist Frank Garcia was the recipient of the 2008 Ruskin History Preservation Award shown here with the trophy next to the Ruskin History Center. The history display timeline begins with a tribute to Frank's discovery of early ice age fossils in Ruskin which he has on display at the Camp Bayou Outdoor Center.

He is expanding his display to include an educational center and a permanent standalone display at the SouthShore Regional Library.

Garcia learned recently that one of his discoveries was a species never before documented. The small manatee-like creature has been named Nanosiren garciae, which means "little mermaid" and honors Garcia. The fossils are displayed at the Smithsonian Institution and the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville.