3/4/21 @ 9:15 p.m.

Great turnout for tonight’s public outreach meeting about the Westside Regional Park Conceptual Plan. A lot of great ideas were shared. More info to come soon!

-Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer

3/4/21 @ 3:45 p.m. - Did you know that the County spends tens of thousands of tax dollars each year cleaning up furniture and trash dumped illegally on County property and rights-of-ways?

The above photos were taken a few weeks ago. As you can see, a mattress and two large couches were dumped next to the recycling bin at the Yulee Ballpark. This removal cost the county an estimated $548 in labor and equipment costs, plus 7.25 man hours. This is 7.25 hours that Road Department staff had to spend away from their regular duties such as mowing, clearing ditches and grading roads.

This is just one example. In fact, during the period of January 1 through March 3, 2021, Road Department employees spent 133 man hours cleaning up trash, tires, and furniture around the County, at an estimated cost of $5,015! The Nassau County Convenience Center located in Callahan will take these items at no charge so there's no reason to dump. They are open extended hours, including Saturdays. Please be responsible and dispose of items properly.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

Just a friendly reminder that the County is in the process of selecting individuals for the CLAM Committee (Conservation Land Acquisition and Management Plan). The application period ends March 26, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Candidates should, at a minimum, have skills, expertise, or demonstratable experience that relates to the acquisition of lands either in:

• Natural resource management and biology
• Agriculture and forestry
• Community Planning
• Environmental engineering or civil engineering where work has been in stormwater or green infrastructure projects
• Environmental regulations, land use law, or commercial real estate in so far that has dealt in vacant, rural lands

A big thank you to those who have already submitted an application! We appreciate your willingness to serve.

If you have any questions, please contact our Planning Department at (904) 530-6300 or via email at planninginfo@nassaucountyfl.com.

To nominate yourself, please click here and fill out the required fields.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/3/21 @ 3:15 p.m. - Just a friendly reminder that an in-person meeting to discuss the Westside Regional Park conceptual plan will be held on Thursday, March 4, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Callahan Multi-Purpose Facility located at 543350 US Highway 1, Callahan, FL 32011.

Please note that pursuant to Executive Order No. 23, face coverings are required in all County facilities.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Facilities Maintenance at (904) 530-6120.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer


To view the presentation from the Virtual Meeting held on Monday, March 1st, please click here. Use passcode Cy2Rt.@w.

3/3/21 @ 8:30 a.m. - It's waterbird nesting season! Many shorebird and seabird species, such as the least tern, nest directly on beaches across the state where their eggs and chicks are well camouflaged in the sand. Colonies of wading birds, such as herons, will typically nest on mangrove islands off the coast. Biologists stress that the most important thing for waterbirds during nesting season is space. When these birds are disturbed and forced to leave their nests, their eggs and chicks are left vulnerable to heat and predators.

“Small actions can make a big difference for wildlife,” said FWC Florida Shorebird Alliance Coordinator, Shea Armstrong. “By taking a few steps to limit disturbance to nesting waterbirds, we can help ensure they have a successful nesting season and that they will be around for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.”

Here are five ways you can limit disturbance and make a difference for nesting waterbirds:

1. Keep your distance from birds, on the beach or on the water. If birds become agitated or leave their nests, you are too close. As a general rule, it is best to stay at least 300 feet from a nest and to avoid walking through flocks of birds whenever possible. Birds flushing, calling out loudly and dive-bombing are signals for you to give them space.
2. Respect posted areas, including Critical Wildlife Areas, which are established to protect congregations of one or more species of wildlife from human disturbance during critical life activities including nesting, feeding or migration. Avoid entering any area marked with signs for nesting birds and use designated walkways when possible.
3. Keep the beach clean and do not feed wildlife. Food scraps attract predators, such as raccoons and crows, that can prey on shorebird eggs and chicks. Litter on beaches can entangle birds and other wildlife.
4. It is best to not take pets to the beach but, if you do, keep them leashed and avoid shorebird and seabird nesting areas. Always take your pet to pet-friendly beaches and be respectful of the rules.
5. Know what to do if you hook a bird while fishing. Remember, don’t cut the line: reel, remove, release. Visit MyFWC.com/Unhook to watch an educational video that shows step by step how to safely unhook a bird. It could save a life!
   

For more information, go to MyFWC.com/Shorebirds and download the “Share the Beach with Beach-Nesting Birds” brochure. Or go to the Florida Shorebird Alliance website at FLShorebirdAlliance.org to learn more about how to participate in shorebird and seabird conservation efforts.
Report illegal activity and any unposted nests to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922), #FWC or *FWC on a cellphone or by texting Tip@MyFWC.com.
For more information about Florida’s CWAs, visit MyFWC.com/CWA. 

Credits: Photos courtesy of the FWC: Waterbirds | Flickr

3/2/21 @ 5:00 p.m. - The Board of County Commissioners has two new job opportunities available in the Department of Planning & Economic Opportunity: Planner II/Design and Senior Planner.

To view the job descriptions and salary range or to apply online, please click here.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/2/21 @ 11:30 a.m.- Yesterday afternoon, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 21-47, expanding eligibility requirements for the COVID-19 Vaccination. The County can now vaccinate the following groups:

• Long-term care facility residents and staff;
• Persons 65 years of age and older;
• Health care personnel with direct patient contact;
• K-12 school employees 50 years of age and older;
• Sworn law enforcement officers 50 years of age and older; and
• Firefighters 50 years of age and older.

Nassau County Emergency Management has implemented a second "waitlist" to schedule appointments specifically for:

• K-12 school employees 50 years of age and older;
• Sworn law enforcement officers 50 years of age and older; and
• Firefighters 50 years of age and older.

Links to both wait lists can be found at www.onenassau.com. (Below is a screenshot of the registration page featured on the OneNassau website)

If you have any questions, please contact Emergency Management at (904) 548-0900.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer


NOTE: The previous Executive Order allowed for hospitals to issue vaccinations to persons whom they deemed as "extremely vulnerable", regardless of their age group. The new Executive Order now allows for certain physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and pharmacists to administer them to extremely vulnerable individuals as well. The County, however, can only administer vaccines as outlined above. We will continue to administer them as directed by the Governor.

3/2/21 @ 11:00 a.m. - The Nassau County Library will host a virtual Women's History Program event on March 11, 2021, at 6pm. The guest speaker is U.S. Diplomat and Author, Ms. Vella Mbenna.

Ms. Mbenna was born and raised in Midway, Georgia and graduated from Georgia Southern College. She has served in 13 foreign countries on 5 continents and wrote a book about her adventures entitled, "Muddy Roads Blue Skies-My Journey to the Foreign Service from the rural South to Tanzania and Beyond".

The event link can be located on the Library's webpage.


-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/2/21 @ 9:30 a.m. - The Nassau County Department of Health will host drive-through COVID-19 testing tomorrow, Wednesday, March 3, 2021, from 9:30-11:00 a.m., at the Journey Church.

This event is free for Nassau County residents. Identification is required.

See flyer for full details. If you have any questions, please contact the Health Department at (904) 875-6100.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/1/21 @ 9:15 a.m. - Just a friendly reminder that the County will host a virtual event today at 6:00 p.m. to receive public input regarding the conceptual plan for the Westside Regional Park.

ZOOM/Webinar:
Meeting Link Here
Passcode: 987321
Use the "Raise Hand" feature within the Zoom App to notify moderator that you wish to speak.

By Phone:

Or iPhone one-tap:
US +13017158592,,86312417460#,,,,*987321#  or +13126266799,,86312417460#,,,,*987321#

Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 301 715 8592  or +1 312 626 6799  or +1 646 558 8656  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 346 248 7799  or +1 669 900 9128

Webinar ID: 863 1241 7460
Passcode: 987321

If participating by phone, hit *9 to notify the moderator that you would like to speak.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer