4/30/19 @ 3:30 p.m. - The Nassau County Department of Health is hosting a "Bootcamp for New Dads" on Saturday, June 1, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. which will focus on caring for the mother of your baby. You will learn how to work as a team with the mom, about your role as the protector, and will have an opportunity to ask questions about your new duties as a father.

Lunch will be served and participants will be entered into a raffle for a $25 VISA gift card. You must RSVP by May 24th.

Please see the attached Press Release for all the details of this event.

-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.

4/29/19 @ 1:45 p.m. - Currently, the only public meeting scheduled for this week is as follows:

Development Review Committee Meeting
Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Agendas can be located on our website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

4/25/19

​From Nassau County Animal Services:
Today’s Rescuers for Rescues features Lieutenant John Douglas with our dog Brownie. Brownie is a 9 year old Boxer mix who loves to run and play. He is Heart Worm positive and looking for a foster while he undergoes treatment. Please share this post and spread the word about Brownie.

Thank you Lieutenant Douglas and Nassau County Fire-Rescue 3101 for helping our homeless pets find a home.

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

4/24/19 @ 2:30 p.m. - On Friday, April 12, 2019, the Board of County Commissioners recognized Ms. Wanda Simmons as Nassau County's Volunteer of the Year during the 34th Annual Volunteer Recognition Event held at the Atlantic Recreation Center. This event celebrates volunteerism throughout Nassau County and dozens of businesses and organizations are in attendance to share and recognize volunteers who have gone above and beyond to make Nassau County a better place to live, work and play.

Ms. Wanda Simmons was nominated by Nassau County Extension Director, Rebecca Jordi, for her outstanding leadership and tireless efforts in providing educational programs and volunteer activities for the County's 4-H Program. Ms. Jordi stated, "Her leadership and dedication to 4-H are assets for agents, members, parents, and club leaders as she is extremely knowledgeable, approachable and kind".

The impact Ms. Simmons has made through her work at the Nassau County Extension Office is truly remarkable. She began volunteering with the Extension 29 years ago with an interest in poultry and after only 1 year, she was leading the 4-H Poultry Judging Team and is now the County’s primary 4-H Poultry Project Leader. She holds workshops on care, selection and showmanship and has sent several teams to the National Poultry Judging Contest, all of which have all placed in the top 10. She holds annual clinics and organizes the multi-county event at the Northeast Florida Fair.
 
Ms. Simmons is the primary club leader of the Callahan Country Kids 4-H Club and has organized numerous community projects with the children including town clean-up events, beautification projects in public spaces, food drives, donations for families in need, and often visits the Council on Aging to play games and interact with the elderly.
 
In addition to leading workshops and club meetings, Ms. Simmons is an integral part of the County’s embryology program. She donates eggs to local schools and volunteers in the classrooms to spark youth interest in 4-H and embryology. In one case, a school became so inspired that they petitioned their city to allow chickens at the school for after school programs. Ms. Simmons happily donated two birds to the program and continues to stay in contact, visiting the school often.
 
Ms. Simmons has earned the respect and gratitude of the employees of the Extension Office, as well other volunteers and the youth involved in 4-H.  When asked why she volunteers, Ms. Simmons stated,
“4-H is a wonderful program. There are so many opportunities for youth to gain knowledge and learn life skills. Most youth involved in 4-H turn out to be successful adults who give back to their community. What else could you ask for"?
 
Congratulations Ms. Simmons on being selected as Nassau County’s Volunteer of the Year for 2019. We appreciate all that you do for the residents of Nassau County.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office
 

4/23/19 @ 6:10 p.m.

From the County Extension’s website:
​
BOGO Biddies are in all this week! Straight run school-hatched chicks are available at the Callahan Extension Office during business hours. We have White Faced Black Spanish, Polish, Belgian d'Anvers, Wyndottes, Rhode Island Reds, Auracana, Americanas, Easter Eggers, and Buffs. Only $5 for two!

The Extension Office is open Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm and is located at 543350 US Highway 1 in Callahan.

​-Sabrina Robertson
County Manager’s Office

4/23/19 @ 4:15 p.m. - This edition of FUZZ4FURR features Sgt. Lance McConnell of the Nassau County Sheriff's Office with Raanan, a 3 year old pup who is looking for his furever home. Raanan is already house trained and knows all of his basic commands.

At this time we are asking everyone to please share this post and tell your friends about Raanan.

A big thank you to Sgt. McConnell for taking time to help our homeless pets.




-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

4/22/19 @ 2:25 p.m.

This edition of RESCUERS FOR RESCUES features Fireman Zack Alkire with Mama, a 4 year old hound mix who loves to run and play. She also loves to swim and seemed very happy to take this photo on a boat so we think she might also love a boat ride.

Thank you Mr. Alkire for helping us spread the word about our homeless pets!

Please share this post and help find Mama a home.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

4/22/19 @ 2:00 p.m. - Below is a list of public meetings taking place this week:

Board of County Commissioners - Special Meeting to discuss the Pavement Management Plan
Monday, April 22, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting
Monday, April 22, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Development Review Committee
Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Conditional Use & Variance Board
Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Agendas can be located on our website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office