11/13/18 @ 2:10 p.m. - The Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission sent out the below message reminding everyone to look out for manatees in November as they begin migrating to warmer waters.

From FFWC:

Look out and slow down for manatees in November to help them as they begin migrating to warmer waters.

November is Manatee Awareness Month. Florida has more than 6,600 manatees swimming in rivers, bays and coastal waters. These large aquatic mammals can weigh over 1,000 pounds.

As the weather cools, manatees are on the move, searching for warmer waters to survive the winter. Remember: Disturbing manatees at warm-water sites may cause them to leave those areas at a time when it is critical for them to remain there. 

“Boaters who look out for migrating manatees and follow posted manatee protection zones contribute to the conservation of this threatened species. They are reducing the chance of manatee injuries and disturbance, while enjoying their time on the water,” said Carol Knox, who leads the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Imperiled Species Management Section.
Seasonal manatee protection zones also go into effect in the fall, depending on the county. The zones are marked by waterway signs, and maps of local manatee protection zones are available online at MyFWC.com/Manatee by clicking on “Data and Maps."

How can you help manatees?

• Wear polarized sunglasses to spot them moving, grazing and resting in the water. Keep a lookout for the circular “footprints” or ripples they leave on the surface of the water.
• Follow posted manatee zones.
• Observe manatees from a distance to limit disturbance. Disturbing manatees at their warm-water sites may cause them to leave these areas during the winter.
• Report injured, entangled, orphaned or dead manatees to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline: 888-404-FWCC (3922), #FWC or *FWC on your cellphone or text Tip@MyFWC.com.
• Access and share A boater’s guide to living with Florida manatees and  Guidelines for successful manatee watching in Florida that focuses on paddlers.
• Purchase the manatee decal and license plate, and tell everyone how the decal and license plate  support the FWC’s manatee conservation efforts.
• Contribute to the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida’s Marine Mammal Fund by visiting WildlifeFlorida.org and clicking on “Support Us,” “Funding Priorities” and “Marine Mammal Fund.

Florida invests over $2 million annually in manatee conservation, with FWC biologists, managers and law enforcement working with partners to research, rescue and manage Florida manatees.
Want to see a manatee? Go to MyFWC.com/Manatee and click on “Where Can I See Manatees?”

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

10/2/18 @ 3:30 p.m. - On Saturday, September 15th, Keep Nassau Beautiful and Kayak Amelia hosted a local Coastal Cleanup Event and recruited volunteers to clean our local shoreline, in conjunction with cleanup efforts taking place across the world. 124 volunteers removed 425 pounds of trash from 12.5 miles of Amelia Island beaches, while nearly 13 million volunteers removed nearly 250 million pounds of trash from beaches and waterways worldwide.

The top items collected locally included: cigarette butts, plastic straws, plastic bottles, food wrappers, bottle caps, foam pieces, and construction materials. Keep Nassau Beautiful Executive Director, Lynda Bell, stated "We are so grateful to all the amazing site captains and volunteers who came out. Awareness has really grown around the issue of ocean plastic and it's great to see people taking action. Keep Nassau Beautiful is pleased to do its part in reducing plastic".

For additional information on the cleanup event, please read the attached Press Release from Keep Nassau Beautiful.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

5/9/18 @ 1:55 p.m. - May is the beginning of turtle nesting seasons and it's critical that beach front property owners and beach visitors do their part to conserve Florida sea turtles.

Below are some basic ways you can help Nassau County beaches remain sea turtle friendly:

• Turn off the lights - After sundown, turn of 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 and curtains.
• Sea turtles get lost in the light - Don't take flash photos on the beach at night and don't use bright cellphones and flashlights. Additionally, open fires on the beach are prohibited from May 1st to October 31st.
• Sea turtles must be protected and 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 may become obstacles that block nesting and hatching turtles.  Remember that Nassau County has a Leave No Trace Ordinance which allows any item left on the beaches after 8:00 p.m. to be removed and destroyed. Be sure to fill in any holes before you leave as well. 
• Help hatchlings by leaving them alone - 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 of the hatchlings getting confused, going the wrong way, and not reaching the ocean quickly. This makes them vulnerable to dehydration, exhaustion and predators. Watch from a distance!

To report sick, injured, entangled or dead sea turtles, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission's Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-3922 or email Tip@MyFWC.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

4/27/18 @ 8:50 a.m. - This is just a reminder that the Annual Hazardous Waste Recycling Event will take place tomorrow.

Date: Saturday, April 28, 2018
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., or until the truck is full (whichever comes first)
Location: Home Depot Parking Lot, State Road 200, Yulee

This is a FREE service for all Nassau County residents. Types of items that will be collected include:

• Pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers
• Paints and paint thinners
• Oil filters, used oil, and lubricants
• Pool chemicals
• Fluorescent lamps
• Electronics
• Batteries
• Household cleaners
• Corrosives
• Propane tanks
• Aerosol cans
• Used cooking oil
• Medications

Please see the attached flyer for more details.

If you have any questions, please contact Nassau County Solid Waste at (904) 530-6700 or Keep Nassau Beautiful at (904) 261-0165.


-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

4/24/18 @ 1:30 p.m. - Please see the below information posted on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission's website regarding nesting waterbirds.

Posted April 19, 2018
It’s nesting season for Florida’s waterbirds, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Audubon Florida are reminding beachgoers and boaters to give these birds and their young space to help keep them safe.  

“This is a critical time of year for nesting birds and their young,” said Craig Faulhaber, avian conservation coordinator for the FWC. “By taking a few simple steps, people can enjoy a day at the beach or on the water without disturbing nesting birds and their chicks, which increases the birds’ chances of survival.”

Shorebirds and seabirds build shallow nests out of sand and shells on beaches in spring and summer, and eggs and chicks are difficult to see. Wading birds, such as herons and egrets, as well as pelicans, are also nesting now on islands around the state. Both types of birds can be easily disturbed if people approach too closely. Such disturbance can cause birds to abandon their nesting sites, exposing eggs and chicks to predators, sun exposure and other harm.

Shorebird nests, eggs and chicks are well-camouflaged and can easily be missed and even stepped on unless people know to look out for them. The snowy plover, least tern, black skimmer, American oystercatcher and Wilson’s plover are several of Florida’s beach-nesting bird species facing conservation challenges. Wading birds and pelicans typically nest in mangroves and on tree islands. Reddish egrets, tricolored herons and roseate spoonbills have also experienced declines.

“Florida’s coasts took a beating from Hurricane Irma in 2017,” said Julie Wraithmell, interim executive director for Audubon Florida. “We can’t control impacts to nesting sites from weather, but we can protect them from human disturbance. This year it is more important than ever.”
The FWC has established Critical Wildlife Areas to protect congregations of one or more species of wildlife from human disturbance during critical life activities such as nesting, feeding or migration.
People can help keep nesting birds safe by keeping their distance from CWAs and other areas where birds are nesting or raising young. In addition to observing the marked-off areas around CWAs, people can also help by following a few simple steps while enjoying the beach this season:

• Keep your distance from birds, on the beach or on the water. If birds become agitated or leave their nests, you are too close. A general rule is to stay at least 300 feet from a nest. Birds calling out loudly and dive-bombing are signals for you to back off.
• Respect posted areas. Avoid posted nesting sites and use designated walkways when possible.
• Never intentionally force birds to fly or run. This causes them to use energy needed for nesting, and eggs and chicks may be left vulnerable to the sun’s heat or predators. Teach children not to chase shorebirds and seabirds, and kindly ask fellow beachgoers to do the same. Shorebirds and seabirds outside of posted areas may be feeding or resting and need to do so without disturbance.
• It is best to not take pets to the beach, but if you do, keep them leashed and avoid shorebird and seabird nesting areas. (State parks, national parks and CWAs do not allow pets.)
• Keep the beach clean and do not feed wildlife. Food scraps attract predators, such as raccoons and crows, which can prey on shorebird eggs and chicks. Litter on beaches can entangle birds and other wildlife.
• Spread the word. If you see people disturbing nesting birds, gently let them know how their actions may hurt the birds’ survival. If they continue to disturb nesting birds, report it to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922), #FWC or *FWC on a cellphone or by texting Tip@MyFWC.com. You may also report nests that are not posted to our Wildlife Alert Program.
  

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.

For more information about Florida’s CWAs, visit MyFWC.com/CWA.
To learn how you can volunteer your time to protect nesting coastal birds, visit ­­ and scroll over the “Conservation” tab at the top, then click on “Coastal Conservation” and “Coastal Bird Stewardship,” or you may­­ email FLConservation@Audubon.org.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

4/22/18 @ 12:30 p.m.- Today, thousands of people across the world will participate in recycling and clean up events in honor of Earth Day which is held each year on April 22nd. This year's theme focuses on ending plastic pollution. Single-use plastics such as bottles, straws, utensils and plastic bags are causing a serious threat to our environment because they are not biodegradable and can last for thousands of years. Though some plastics get recycled, tons of plastic items are ending up in landfills and waterways.

Residents are urged to reduce their use of plastic and to focus on ways we can help protect the environment. Many of the local garbage haulers provide free recycling for their customers, however it's important that we each become familiar with what types of items can be thrown into their recycling bins. In the example below, we are taught that pizza boxes are not to be thrown in with other recyclable items because the contaminants from one used pizza box is enough to cause the entire load to have to go to the landfill. And though plastic bags are recyclable, they cannot be mixed in with other recyclables because one bag can cause sorting machinery to shut down for hours. Most grocery stores provide recycling bins made specifically for plastic bags and other items such as styrofoam.

For more information on recycling and recycling locations, please visit Keep Nassau Beautiful's website. Also, don't forget that next Saturday, April 28th, is the annual hazardous waste recycling event at Home Depot. Items that should never be thrown in the landfill such as electronics, paints, and oils will be collected. Please click here for details.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ County Manager's Office

04/10/18 @ 8:50 a.m. - Since 2016, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission has celebrated Gopher Tortoise Day to spread awareness on this threatened species. Gopher tortoises become active in the spring as they search for food and a mate, therefore you are more likely to see them now. Just in time for Florida Gopher Tortoise Day!

The FFWC would like to remind everyone that it is illegal to disturb or harm gopher turtles, their burrows or their eggs. If you see a gopher tortoise or their half-moon shaped burrow entrance, it's best to leave them alone. You can help a tortoise cross a road by picking it up and placing it in the direction it was headed, but don't ever put the tortoise in your vehicle or in the water. It is a land animal and needs a sandy, sunny habitat to survive.

On the Gopher Tortoise Day website, you can find many resources including guides to living with gopher tortoises and ideas for kids' activities including how to build a burrow. And if you're a fan of the gopher tortoise, help spread the word on conserving this threatened species whose burrows are also homes to hundreds of animals including the eastern indigo snake, gopher frog and Florida mouse.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

3/12/18 @ 1:30 p.m. - It's that time of year again! Begin your spring cleaning and bring all unwanted hazardous items to the Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.

Date: Saturday, April 28, 2018
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., or until the truck is full (whichever comes first)
Location: Home Depot Parking Lot, State Road 200, Yulee

This is a FREE service for all Nassau County residents. Types of items that will be collected include:

• Pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers
• Paints and paint thinners
• Oil filters, used oil, and lubricants
• Pool chemicals
• Fluorescent lamps
• Electronics
• Batteries
• Household cleaners
• Corrosives
• Propane tanks
• Aerosol cans
• Used cooking oil
• Medications

Please see the attached flyer for more details.

If you have any questions, please contact Nassau County Solid Waste at (904) 530-6700 or Keep Nassau Beautiful at (904) 261-0165.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

11/7/17 @ 3:45 p.m. - Nassau County and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection have partnered to bring you "Waste Tire Amnesty Day". Waste tires are not just unsightly, they are also a hazard to the environment!

On Saturday, January 6, 2018, residents may bring up to 10 tires for FREE disposal. Individuals must show proof of residency and all tires must be off the rim and free of debris. NO COMMERCIAL LOADS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

This event will take place at the Nassau County Convenience Center located at 46026 Landfill Road in Callahan from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., or until the tire trailer is full (whichever comes first).

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

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/25/17 @ 4:20 p.m. -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
NASSAU COUNTY, FLORIDA - The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners would like to announce that effective immediately, single stream recycling is now available at each of the recycle sites listed below. Single stream recycling allows citizens to place plastic, glass and aluminum in one bin. Separation of these recyclables is no longer necessary.
 
West Nassau Landfill
46026 Landfill Rd
Callahan, FL 32011

Bryceville
7282 Motes Rd
Bryceville, FL 32009

Goodbread Dr
86142 Goodbread Drive
Yulee, FL 32097 

Bailey Rd.
3163 Bailey Rd
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
 
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If you have any questions, please contact Nassau County Solid Waste Department at (904) 530-6700.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office