7/17/19 @ 9:40 a.m. - The Board of County Commissioners had a very special visitor at their Board Meeting today! Smokey Bear dropped by in celebration of his 75th Birthday which also marks the 75th anniversary of his wildfire prevention campaign, the longest running public service campaign in US history.

They presented Smokey and members of the Florida Forest Service with the following proclamation:

WHEREAS, on August 9, 2019, Smokey Bear will celebrate his 75th birthday, which also marks his wildfire prevention campaign as the longest running public service campaign in U.S. History; and

WHEREAS, Smokey’s message is as relevant today as it was in 1944 as more people are living closer to natural resources – so, no retirement for Smokey!; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the Florida Forest Service is to protect Florida and its people from the dangers of wildfire and manage the forest resources through a stewardship ethic to assure they are available for future generations; and

WHEREAS, in the last five years, Florida Forest Service Wildland Firefighters have responded to over 228 wildfires in Nassau County that burned 1,670 acres, and in many instances, threatened communities and adjoining infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, the Florida Forest Service is actively engaged in promoting and conducting prescribed burns and other wildfire mitigation practices to reduce the size and intensity of a wildfire that may threaten communities and other infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, in the last five years, the Florida Forest Service has mechanically treated 384 acres of forest brush, installed 64 miles of fire lines, and provided 3,133 burn authorizations to local ranchers, tree farmers, and land managers in Nassau County to maintain and restore natural ecosystems and reduce the wildfire hazard.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED this 17th day of July, 2019, by the Board of County Commissioners of Nassau County, Florida, that:

1. The Board hereby congratulates Smokey Bear on his 75th birthday celebration.
2. The Board hereby commends Smokey Bear for his continuous efforts in reminding citizens to be careful when using fire in natural areas.
3. The Board hereby expresses their gratitude to the men and women of the Florida Forest Service for their partnership with Nassau County and Smokey Bear in wildfire prevention and mitigation.

-Sabrina Robertson
County Manager's Office

Pictured: Chairman Justin Taylor, Forest Ranger Tim Steed, Smokey Bear, and Jacksonville District Manager of the Florida Forest Service, Jennifer Hart

6/11/19 @ 9:00 a.m. - Nassau County will be hosting their Annual Waste Tire Amnesty Day on Saturday, July 20th at the Nassau County Convenience Recycle Center in Callahan.

This free event allows Nassau County residents to dispose of up to twelve (12) tires per household, with proof of residency. Tires are limited to car and light truck tires only and must be off the rim and free of debris. No commercial loads will be accepted.

The event begins at 8:30 a.m. and will remain open until 12:00 p.m., or until the truck is full (whichever comes first).

If you have any questions, please contact Nassau County Solid Waste at (904) 530-6702 or email bdiden@nassaucountyfl.com.




-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

5/23/19 @ 8:15 a.m. - Keep Nassau Beautiful, Kayak Amelia and the Amelia Island Beach and Marine Life Conservancy are sponsoring a beach cleanup on Tuesday, May 28th from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Anyone interested in helping clean the beach and shoreline should meet at one of these beach access points: Main Beach, Seaside Park, Peters Point or American Beach. Buckets/totes, trash bags, and trash grabbers will be provided, however you may wish to bring your own gloves, hats, sunglasses, sunblock, water, etc. 

For more information, contact Keep Nassau Beautiful at (904) 261-0165. You may also pre-register through Keep Nassau Beautiful's FaceBook page. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ County Manager's Office

4/30/19 @ 2:00 p.m. -

Friendly reminder from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission:
May marks the beginning of sea turtle nesting season on many of Florida’s sandy beaches. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is asking beachfront property owners and beach visitors to help nesting turtles and hatchlings by turning off or shielding lights that are visible from the beach at night.

 “Making an effort to keep our beaches dark at night is one of the most important things you can do to help sea turtles.” said Robbin Trindell, head of the FWC sea turtle management program. “Even small artificial lights from a house, a flashlight or a cellphone camera can confuse female sea turtles and their hatchlings and cause them to wander off course.”

Sea turtle nesting is starting now on beaches along the Gulf coast, including the Florida Panhandle, as well as the state’s northeast Atlantic coast and from Miami-Dade County south to the Keys. Nesting began earlier in March along Florida’s southeast Atlantic coast from Brevard County south to Broward County.
Florida is a critically important destination for nesting sea turtles. More loggerhead turtles nest here than anywhere else in the continental United States, with 91,451 loggerhead nests counted statewide during the 2018 nesting season. Leatherback and green sea turtles also nest in significant numbers in Florida.

What are the basics of being sea turtle-friendly?

• It’s a sea turtle night, turn off the light – After sundown, turn off any lights not necessary for human safety. Use long wavelength amber LED lamps for lights that must stay lit and shield lights so they are not visible from the beach. Remember to close shades or curtains.
• Sea turtles get lost in the light – On the beach at night, don’t take flash photos or use bright cellphones or flashlights.
• Sea turtles are protected and must be respected – Stay back and give sea turtles space if you see one on the beach at night. Don’t touch a nesting turtle because it may leave the beach without nesting if disturbed. Remember, it is illegal to harm or disturb nesting sea turtles, their nests, eggs or hatchlings.
• Clear the way at the end of the day – Beach furniture, canopies, boats and toys left behind on the sand can become obstacles that block nesting and hatchling turtles. Fill in any holes dug in the sand.
• Keep your distance from nests and hatchlings – Do not handle hatchlings crawling toward the water. Any interference or disturbance by people, such as getting too close or taking flash photos, increases the chances the hatchlings will get confused, go in the wrong direction and not reach the ocean quickly. That makes them vulnerable to dehydration, exhaustion and predators. As with all wildlife, watching from a distance is best.
  

Buildings and other structures along the beach that need lights for human safety can be lit with long wavelength amber LED bulbs in a downward-directed, well-shielded fixture that is not visible from the beach. The FWC tests lights submitted by manufacturers to see if they meet our “Keep it long (wavelength), Keep it low (lumens and mounting height) and Keep it shielded” requirement. Approved fixtures are less likely to impact nesting or hatchling sea turtles. The agency maintains a list of these certified wildlife-friendly fixtures so property owners along Florida’s coastlines can easily find options that work for human and sea turtle safety. The list is available at MyFWC.com/Conservation by clicking on “How You Can Conserve,” “Wildlife Lighting” and then “Certified.”

The FWC works to conserve Florida sea turtles, including coordinating nesting beach survey programs around the state. People can help by reporting sick, injured, entangled or dead sea turtles to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline: 1-888-404-3922, #FWC or *FWC on a cellphone or text Tip@MyFWC.com.

Learn more about Florida’s sea turtles at MyFWC.com/SeaTurtle.

4/25/19 @ 9:15 a.m. - On Saturday, March 30, 2019, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners and the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department hosted a Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Event in which residents were able to properly dispose of items that shouldn't be tossed in the trash. Examples included paint, paint thinners, aerosol cans, batteries, fluorescent lights, oils and lubricants, and pesticides.

A total of 181 households participated in the event with a total of 30,849 pounds (15.424 tons) of materials collected. The largest amount of hazardous material collected was paint with 18,281 pounds of latex paint and 4,526 pounds of old based paint collected. The second largest hazardous material collected was used oils and other lubricants weighing a total of 6,050 pounds. For a complete listing of materials collected, please view the attached Summary of Results issued by the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department.

Also, here's a link from a FaceBook video created by Keep Nassau Beautiful.

A big thank you to all of the volunteers that made this event possible, as well as to the residents of Nassau County for doing your part to keep hazardous materials out of the landfill.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

4/5/19 @ 4:30 p.m.

FROM THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION'S WEBSITE

If you think bats may be living in your building, now is the time to check your attic, eaves or chimney spaces and take action to exclude them. Bat maternity season begins April 15 and runs through Aug. 15, and during this time it’s illegal to block bats from their roost.

“This is a critical time of year for bats, when they give birth and raise their young,” said Terry Doonan, a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologist and mammal conservation coordinator. “If bats are excluded from a building before their young can fly, they can become trapped inside and die.”

Florida is home to 13 resident bat species, including listed species such as the Florida bonneted bat. Some bat species roost in artificial structures, including buildings and houses. Although it is illegal to harm or kill bats in Florida, rules have been developed stating that legal exclusion of bats has to occur outside of the maternity season. Bats cannot legally be captured or relocated.

Exclusion guidelines on how to remove bats from buildings can be found at MyFWC.com/Bats. Materials and methods to exclude bats can affect the success of that process. For more information on how to conduct a bat exclusion, watch this YouTube video: How to Get Bats Out of a Building. Further details on how to conduct a legal bat exclusion can be found at Bat Conservation International and on the National White-Nose Syndrome Response Team website.

Bats are beneficial to people and are an important part of the ecosystem. The state’s native bats help keep insect populations under control, with the average bat eating hundreds of insects a night. In addition to the benefit of keeping mosquitoes and other insects at bay for residents enjoying the outdoors, the value of insect suppression by bats to U.S. agriculture has been estimated to be in the billions of dollars.

There are several ways that Florida residents and visitors can help bats:

• Preserve natural roost sites, including trees with cavities and peeling bark. Dead fronds left on palms can also provide roosting spots for bats.
• Put up a bat house.
• Report unusual bat behavior to: MyFWC.com/BatMortality.

Bats can carry rabies. Although infected bats may not become aggressive, like any other wild animal, they may bite to defend themselves if handled. Don’t touch or go near any wild animal, especially one that’s not acting normally. For more information about rabies, visit the Florida Department of Health website at FloridaHealth.gov. 

If you need assistance, contact your closest FWC Regional Office to speak with a regional wildlife assistance biologist for more information.

For more information on Florida’s bats, go to MyFWC.com/Bats.

4/3/19 @ 12:15 p.m.

WARM SPRING WEATHER MEANS IT'S TIME TO BRUSH UP ON TIPS FOR LIVING WITH ALLIGATORS

From the FWC Website:
The American alligator, Florida’s state reptile, is an important part of Florida’s wetland habitats. This large reptile is found throughout the state in fresh water lakes, ponds, swamps and slow-moving rivers.

During spring, alligators become more active and visible. When temperatures rise, their metabolism increases and they begin seeking prey. Although alligator bite incidents resulting in serious injury are rare in Florida, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recommends taking precautions when having fun in and around the water.

Because alligators control their body temperature by basking in the sun, they can be easily observed. If you see an alligator, keep your distance. Also, never feed alligators because it is dangerous and illegal. When fed, alligators can overcome their natural wariness and learn to associate people with food.

Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn. To reduce the chances of conflicts with alligators, swim only during daylight hours and in designated swimming areas.

The FWC also recommends pet owners keep their animals on a leash and away from the water because pets can resemble an alligator’s natural prey.

The FWC places the highest priority on public safety and urges people who believe an alligator poses a threat to people, pets or property to call FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). When someone concerned about an alligator calls the Nuisance Alligator Hotline, the FWC will dispatch one of our contracted nuisance alligator trappers to resolve the situation. The FWC also works diligently to keep Floridians and visitors informed, including providing advice about living with alligators.

The American alligator is a conservation success story. Florida has a healthy and stable alligator population, which is estimated at 1.3 million alligators of every size. Learn more about alligators at MyFWC.com/Alligator.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

3/29/19 @ 9:15 a.m. - The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission issued the following notice regarding Florida Gopher Tortoise Day which is celebrated annually on April 10th.




FFWC Website

Gopher tortoises may be slow, but Gopher Tortoise Day is quickly approaching! April 10th was declared Gopher Tortoise Day by the Gopher Tortoise Council, so mark your calendars to celebrate one of Florida’s most important species. You can celebrate the gopher tortoise by adopting a resolution proclaiming April 10th as Gopher Tortoise Day or by getting involved in your local community.
You may ask yourself, “Why does this gentle reptile deserve its own day of recognition?” Here are just a few reasons:

• Gopher tortoises are Threatened in Florida and habitat loss is the primary cause for the species’ decline. Land development is expected to continue to increase in Florida, reducing available habitat for gopher tortoises. Help conserve Florida’s threatened gopher tortoise by informing your community about the risks to the species associated with habitat loss and other causes for decline.
• As a keystone species, gopher tortoise burrows provide refuge for more than 350 other species, called commensals. Many commensals are also Threatened, such as the Florida pine snake and Eastern indigo snake. The loss of gopher tortoises and their burrows may reduce populations of these commensal species. By educating your community about the importance of conserving gopher tortoises and their habitat, you can also help protect the hundreds of commensal species that call the gopher tortoise burrow “home”.
• The gopher tortoise is the only native tortoise found east of the Mississippi River, and it has occupied the Southeastern U.S. for thousands of years. Unlike other states in its range, gopher tortoises are found in every county of Florida. Raise awareness for this important native species in your community by proclaiming April 10th as Gopher Tortoise Day.

Visit the Gopher Tortoise Day website to learn how to get involved. This website has information to help YOU make a positive impact on gopher tortoises including: a sample resolution, educational materials, how to get involved or host a Gopher Tortoise Day event, and how to spread awareness through multiple media outlets.

If you have questions about Gopher Tortoise Day, please contact FWC’s Gopher Tortoise Day Coordinator at GTevents@MyFWC.com or call (850) 921–1025.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

3/26/19 @ 3:00 p.m. - Important message from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission:

Spring is an active time for wildlife! Be prepared for encounters, do your best not to disturb them.

Springtime is an active time for wildlife in Florida, with sea turtles beginning to nest on beaches, manatees leaving their warm-water winter refuges and gopher tortoises starting to stir outside their burrows.
With warmer weather, a variety of species around the state are following their internal biological clocks that tell them to move, mate, feed and nest. These species include black bears and their cubs, nesting waterbirds and snakes.
Because of heightened wildlife activity in springtime, people are more likely to see and encounter all kinds of animals, both adults and their young. Florida’s residents and visitors can help by being aware of how to avoid disturbing wildlife during the rites of spring.
“Viewing wildlife is one of the pleasures of being outdoors during spring,” said Kipp Frohlich, who leads the Division of Habitat and Species Conservation at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). “It helps if kids and adults know the importance of not disturbing wildlife. Keep your distance, so you don’t startle a sea turtle, gopher tortoise, manatee or nesting bird that you happen to see during your outdoor adventures.”
Tips on how to enjoy and help conserve Florida wildlife during spring:

• Sea turtles – Help sea turtles by keeping beaches dark at night and free of obstacles during their March–October nesting season. Bright artificial lighting can disturb nesting sea turtles and disorient hatchlings, so avoid using flashlights or cellphones on the beach at night. Turning out lights or closing curtains and shades in buildings along the beach after dark also will ensure nesting turtles aren’t disturbed as they come ashore and hatchlings won’t become disoriented when they emerge. Clear away boats and beach furniture at the end of the day and fill in holes in the sand that could entrap turtles.
• Manatees - Look out for manatees when boating. Chances of close encounters between manatees and boaters increase in the spring, as manatees leave their winter use areas and travel the intracoastal waterways along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and other inland waters. For boaters, it is a critical time to be on the lookout for manatees to avoid collisions with these large aquatic mammals. Boaters should follow posted speed limits as many areas have seasonal zones in spring that reflect manatee migration patterns.
• Gopher tortoises - Spring days are a good time to spot a gopher tortoise, as Florida’s only native tortoise becomes more active, foraging for food and searching for a mate. If you see gopher tortoises or their half-moon shaped burrow entrances, it is best to leave them alone. You can help a gopher tortoise cross a road by picking it up and placing it in a safe location along the roadside in the direction it was heading. But only do this if it is safe for you to do so, andRemember the tortoise is a land animal, so never attempt to put it into water.
• Nesting birds - Keep your distance from birds on the beach or on the water. If birds become agitated or leave their nests, you are too close. Disturbance can cause birds to abandon their nesting sites, which exposes their eggs and chicks to predators, sun exposure and other harm. Because shorebirds and seabirds build well-camouflaged shallow nests out of sand and shells on beaches, their nests, eggs and chicks are vulnerable to being stepped on unless people look out for them. Wading birds, such as herons and egrets, and pelicans also are nesting now on mangroves and tree islands.
• Bears - As spring temperatures warm, bears become more active, increasing the opportunities for conflicts with people. Don’t give bears a reason to stay in your neighborhood. Remove anything that might attract bears, such as unsecured garbage or pet food. If they can’t find food, they’ll move on.
• Snakes - Watch out for snakes in your yard or when hiking. What should you do when you come upon a snake? Just stand back and observe it. Snakes don't purposefully position themselves to frighten people. They'd much rather avoid encounters and usually will flee.
• Injured and orphaned wildlife - If you find a baby animal, it is best to leave it alone. Baby animals rarely are orphaned; a parent may be nearby searching for food or observing its young. Instead, report wildlife you think may be injured or orphaned to the nearest FWC Regional Office.
  

It’s illegal to disturb or harm wildlife, so if you see someone not following the rules – or spot an animal in distress – call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline: 888-404-FWCC (3922) or #FWC or *FWC on a cell phone.

3/21/19 @ 2:00 p.m. - Don't forget that the Spring Household Hazardous Waste Collection has been scheduled for Saturday, March 30, 2019 at the Nassau County Convenience Center. Examples of items accepted include hazardous waste such as aerosol cans, batteries, fertilizers, pesticides, paints, paint thinner, propane tanks, oil filters, household cleaners, and fluorescent light bulbs, as well as electronics such as computer monitors, cell phones, cameras, radios, computers, and more. For a complete listing of items accepted, please see the attached flyer.

This event is free with proof of Nassau County residency. No commercial loads will be accepted.

In conjunction with this event, there will also be a food drive for Barnabas. Please consider bringing a non-perishable canned item to donate to the Barnabas pantry to help feed Nassau County residents in need.



What: Spring Household Hazardous Waste Collection and Food Drive Event
When: Saturday, March 30, 2019
      8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (or until trucks reach capacity)
Where: Convenience Recycle Center, 46026 Landfill Rd., Callahan, FL 32011

This event is brought to you by Keep Nassau Beautiful in sponsorship with the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Alachua County.

If you have any questions, please contact Nassau County Solid Waste at (904) 530-6700.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office