1/13/22 @ 9:00 a.m. -

The Road Department removed these tires from Lanceford Creek this week after a resident reported seeing them there. As a reminder. each household can dispose of up to 4 tires per year, free of charge, at the County's Convenience Recycling Center located at Landfill Road in Callahan. The County also hosts a tire recycling event every year in April which allows residents to dispose of up 15 tires, free of charge.

So, please do not dump tires. Not only are they unsightly, they are harmful to our environment. Old tires contain chemicals and heavy metals that contaminate soil, surface water and groundwater. They also attract rodents and disease carrying mosquitos and are a fire hazard. To learn more about how tires affect our environment, please click here.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

Keep Nassau Beautiful 30th Anniversary Celebration
Media Release
Contact:
Lynda Bell, Executive Director Keep Nassau Beautiful
904-261-0165
knb@keepnassaubeautiful.org

For Immediate Release

30 years in the Making - Keep Nassau Beautiful Celebrates

Keep Nassau Beautiful Celebrates 30 years of education and engagement of Nassau County residents and businesses.

Fernandina Beach, Florida, December 8, 2021. Keep Nassau Beautiful (KNB) recently held a 30-Year Anniversary Celebration hosted by Mocama Beer Company on Saturday, December 4th. For the last 30 years, KNB board members and volunteers have worked tirelessly to educate and engage Nassau County residents and businesses in protecting the environment and improving the appearance of our community. Current local initiatives include programs to clean shoreline or roadways, collect and properly dispose of household hazardous waste, lead educational outreach efforts, and sponsor free tree events."

The 30-year anniversary was an opportunity for the community to gather and celebrate those initiatives, as well as to continue educating and raising awareness about the important work of KNB. The event included raffle drawings for prizes provided by generous community sponsors and businesses. KNB thanks the sponsors and local businesses for their support; these donations, and the community response to them, allow KNB to continue important community efforts.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you to the Nassau County community for supporting and participating in KNB events now and over the past three decades,” said Mike Cole, KNB Board Chair. “Generous donors, sponsors, partners, public officials, and volunteers provide the resources that allow KNB to serve the community.”

A highlight of the event included the announcement and recognition of the winners of the KNB Inaugural Community Awards. The award categories included Beautification, Environmental Responsibility, and Sustainability.

The award recipients are as follows: The BEAUTIFICATION AWARD recognized Mocama Beer Company for the repurposing of a landmark Fernandina Beach building into a thriving business, and their use of Florida-friendly landscaping which adds interest and beauty to the 8th Street corridor.

The ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD was posthumously granted to Rebecca Jordi, the former Director of Nassau County Extension, and a former KNB board member and officer. Becky championed planting and beautification projects throughout Nassau County, partnered with KNB on the “We Noticed” program, and provided the educational content for KNB’s highly successful Free Tree events.

The SUSTAINABILITY AWARD was presented to White Oak Conservation. They exemplify the award criteria by saving endangered wildlife through sustainable breeding, education, and responsible land stewardship. White Oak partners with KNB and the St Marys Riverkeeper in the annual St. Marys River Cleanup, leads multiple Adopt A Road quarterly cleanup events, and provides supplies that allow KNB to reduce its use of plastic trash bags. “Congratulations to the award winners. By your example, others may be inspired to join us in keeping our community clean, green, and beautiful,” said Josh Baker, KNB Board Chair-elect. To get involved or learn more about KNB programs, 904-261-0165 or knb@keepnassaubeautiful.org

Photo: Michael Ritter Photography. Current and former KNB Board Members and Staff. Pictured left to right, Len Kreger, Lynda Bell, Mike Cole, Karen Klima, Sheila Page, Jean Mauldin, and Josh Baker.

Photo: Michael Ritter Photography. KNB Inaugural Sustainability Award presented to White Oak Conservation. Pictured left to right, Lynda Bell, Brandy Carvalho, Mike Cole, Jean Mauldin, and Josh Baker.

Photo: Michael Ritter Photography. KNB 30-year Anniversary Celebration, raffle drawing proceeds to support KNB programs. Pictured left to right, Josh Baker, KNB Chair-elect, and Becky Diden, Nassau County Solid Waste Recycle Coordinator.

Keep Nassau Beautiful, Inc. is working to inspire, educate, and equip individuals, groups, businesses and governments to take action to make Nassau County a place where residents, visitors and wildlife can thrive and experience the beauty of Nassau County. www.keepnassaubeautiful.org

10/14/21 @ 8:00 p.m. - The bi-annual Hazardous Waste Recycling Event was held on Saturday, October 9, 2021. While it will be several weeks before the County has information on exactly how many tons of materials were collected, Keep Nassau Beautiful counted 373 vehicles! Our generous residents also donated 611 pounds of food for the Barnabas Food Pantry.

Great job to our Solid Waste employees and Keep Nassau Beautiful for working together to provide another successful recycling event to Nassau County! Thanks to your efforts and dedication, Nassau County residents can dispose of hazardous materials conveniently and safely.

Residents, go ahead and mark your calendars because the next Hazardous Waste Recycling event has already been set for Saturday, April 16, 2022!

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

9/23/21 @ 10:15 a.m. - On Saturday, September 11, 2021, Nassau County Solid Waste hosted the Waste Tire Amnesty Event which allowed Nassau County residents to dispose of up to 15 tires at no charge. We are pleased to report that nearly 600 tires were collected. A big thank you to the employees for all their hard work and to the residents for ensuring these tires were disposed of properly and are not a threat to the environment.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

9/9/21 @ 8:10 a.m. - Don't forget that the Waste Tire Amnesty Day will be held this Saturday, September 11th at the Convenience Recycle Center located at 46026 Landfill Rd., Callahan.

This event allows Nassau County residents to safely dispose of up to 15 car and light truck tires at NO COST (must show proof of residency). Tires must be off the rim and free of debris. No commercial loads will be accepted.

The event begins at 8:30 and will last until 12:00 p.m., or until the trucks are full (whichever comes first).

As a reminder, residents can dispose of up to four (4) per year at the Convenience Recycle Center. So if you're not able to attend the event this Saturday and have tires to dispose of, you still have options.

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

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

 9/2/21 @ 1:00 p.m.

The bi-annual Household Hazardous Waste and Recycling Event will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2021 from 8:00 a.m. - noon (or until trucks reach capacity... whichever comes first).

Examples of items that will be accepted include:
- Aerosol cans
- Household cleaners
- Cooking oil (used)
- Oil, lubricants, oil filters
- Insecticides and pesticides
- Computers
- Radios
- Printers
- Power tools
- Televisions, VCRs, DVD players
- Medication
- Batteries
- Propane Tanks
- Paints and paint thinners
- And much, much more!



What: Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Event
When: Saturday, October 9, 2021 from 8am-12pm (or until truck reaches capacity)
Where: Nassau County Road Department, 86200 Gene Lassere Blvd., Yulee, FL 32097

Please enter the facility utilizing Courtney Isles Way from Chester Rd.(see map below for details)

This event is FREE to Nassau County residents with proof of residency. Small businesses may also be approved to dispose of items for a small fee, however you must call Keep Nassau Beautiful in advance to register at (904) 261-0165.

Participants are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to the Barnabas Food Pantry.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

8/31/21 @ 2:30 p.m. - Keep Nassau Beautiful is hosting a beach clean-up event on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 from 9:00 -11:00 a.m. Volunteers are needed to help remove litter from beach accesses, parking lots and shoreline following the Labor Day weekend.

Volunteers will be provided with gloves, trash grabbers and buckets, however volunteers are encouraged to sign up in advance so KNB can ensure they have the proper amount of supplies. Volunteers should wear comfortable shoes and bring their own water bottle, sunscreen and/or bug spray, if desired.

Following the cleanup event, volunteers will be asked to stay for an Appreciation Cookout hosted by Nassau County Fire Rescue's Local 3101 at Peters Point Beachfront Park. If you have any questions, please contact Keep Nassau Beautiful at (904) 261-0165 or via email at knb@keepnassaubeautiful.org.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

8/27/21 @ 11:35 a.m. - The annual Waste Tire Amnesty Day is being held on Saturday, September 11th at the Convenience Recycle Center located at 46026 Landfill Rd., Callahan.

The event begins at 8:30 a.m. and will last until 12:00 p.m., or until the trucks fill (whichever comes first). This event allows Nassau County residents to safely dispose of car and light truck tires at NO COST (must show proof of residency). Tires must be off the rim and free of debris. No commercial loads will be accepted.

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

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

8/18/21 @ 4:15 p.m.- At the August 9, 2021 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners approved Ordinance No. 2021-12, amending the Land Development Code to repeal the current unincorporated Amelia Island Tree Protection Ordinance and creating a new tree protection ordinance. The new ordinance will provide a more comprehensive and flexible approach.

The unincorporated Amelia Island tree protection program was originally implemented in 2008 and requires preserving 45% of protected trees for new development including commercial, multi-family, and residential subdivisions (protected trees are native trees with a trunk diameter at breast height/dbh of five inches and greater). The new ordinance will require preserving 25% of protected trees in construction and disturbance zones on a development site, and preserving all protected trees outside those zones in the natural area of the site. Tree protection will also be extended to residential lots outside of subdivisions.

The Ordinance also creates the Nassau County-Amelia Island Tree Commission (NCAITC) to administer tree protection, one member of which will be filled by a soon-to-be-hired County Arborist. The NCAITC will review required tree protection plans for new construction and redevelopment projects, and will at a future date, develop a tree planting program to be considered by the Board of County. This program shall include strategies for planting trees on publicly-held lands in the unincorporated areas of Amelia Island, including rights-of-ways and lands owned or controlled by the Board of County Commissioners and Nassau County School Board, as well as strategies for working with private property owners to plant trees on unincorporated Amelia Island, with the possibility of partnerships using funds from a new Nassau County Tree Fund.

​The new Tree Fund will be a restricted fund which can only be used for purposes outlined in the Ordinance and at the recommendation of the NCAITC. Examples of authorized expenditures include: planting of new trees; performing studies relate to urban forestry, canopy protection an assessments of natural areas; education and outreach initiatives primarily focused on preserving the native canopy, impact of tree loss, value or natural, regenerating areas; and the development of grant applications.

The new Tree Ordinance will go into effect on February 13, 2022. Information on membership for the Tree Committee is forthcoming.

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

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer
 








-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

Contact:   Lynda Bell
Phone:     (904) 261-0165
Email:     knb@keepnassaubeautiful.com

Keep Nassau Beautiful is a Keep Florida Beautiful Award Recipient

Nassau County, Florida, June 22, 2021. – Keep Florida Beautiful (KFB) recently held its annual Awards Recognition Ceremony to honor the top Florida Affiliates of Keep America Beautiful and community partners for their environmental efforts. It was a virtual experience celebrating businesses and organizations for their efforts to keep Florida clean, green and beautiful! The award winners were instrumental in organizing cleanup events, increasing recycling efforts and hosting beautification projects.

During the virtual event KFB staff members presented awards in 12 categories. They recognized local Nassau County affiliate Keep Nassau Beautiful for its outstanding results in promoting the Florida Department of Transportation Adopt-A-Highway program. Jules Ruppel, Program Manager for KNB, championed the initiatives which led to KNB being recognized in the category. Jules set an annual goal to on-board new Adopt partners, encouraged Board of Directors members to participate in the Adopt program, led the creation of tools to support new and existing Adopt partners, and kept KNB and its Adopt partners focused on lending a hand to keep roadways, waterways and places in Nassau County litter free.

For information and to get involved: www.KeepNassauBeautiful.org or 261-0165.

About Keep Nassau Beautiful
Keep Nassau Beautiful, Inc. is working to inspire, educate, and equip individuals, groups, businesses, and governments to take action to make Nassau County a place where residents, visitors and wildlife can thrive and experience the beauty of Nassau County. www.keepnassaubeautiful.org