​2/24/23 @ 8:45 a.m. 

The County is seeking one individual to serve on the Conservation Land Acquisition and Management (CLAM) Committee. Candidates should, at a minimum, have skills, expertise, or demonstrable experience that relates to the acquisition of lands in one of the following areas:

• 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

 
For more information about the CLAM program, click on the following link:  https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/1283/Conservation-Land-Acquisition-Management

If you have specific questions about the CLAM program or the role of the Committee, please contact Holly Coyle at (904) 530-6010 or by email at hcoyle@nassaucountyfl.com.

To apply, please click here. Applications will be accepted through 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2023. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

1/18/23 @ 10:00 a.m. 

During the most recent Florida Planning & Zoning Association’s Awards Banquet, the Board of County Commissioners won a total of 3 awards for several Nassau County projects and initiatives, further demonstrating the County’s commitment to building a resilient, sustainable, and people-centric future that prioritizes quality of life and quality of place.
 
The First Coast Chapter of the Florida Planning & Zoning Association (FPZA) is a fourteen-member board of directors that annually nominates specific awards throughout the Northeast Florida region. Board member, Sarah King, stated, “Every year, an award chairman and a four-person committee are selected to review and verify that all the nominated projects meet the specific award criteria. With several projects being reviewed, the committee is responsible for selecting and nominating the award winners for each category to the full board of directors for final approval. This process is vetted to the entire board and not every submittal is guaranteed the award. FPZA is proud to present three outstanding Nassau County projects at our annual awards ceremony.”
 
The first award was an Outstanding Public Participation Award for the American Beach Cultural Heritage Experience Enhancement Initiative which was designed to capture the essence, protect the sense of plan, honor the rich cultural heritage of the community, and authentically tell the story of American Beach through the built and natural environment.
 
The project began with a survey of existing conditions of the street network, utilities, tree canopy, parks and beaches. This effort was followed by hundreds of hours of community engagement including telephone interviews, online surveys, public workshops, and meetings at American Beach for the purpose of obtaining input from the residents on future enhancement projects that reflect the community’s values. The result was the creation of a long-term visioning plan that provides for public infrastructure enhancements, installation of public water and sewer, paving of roadways, street lighting, installation of historical markers, expansion of the A.L. Lewis Museum, park improvements and resource protection.  
 
The second award was an Outstanding Public Impact Award for the Westside Regional Park. This park is located off US 1 between Callahan and Hilliard and will serve as a centrally accessible park amenity that retains the visceral beauty of the natural environment. The site’s varying ecosystems include pine flatwoods, a freshwater marsh, and hardwood hydric forests which function together as a diverse yet cohesive setting. Spreading over 110 acres, Westside Regional Park will feature a variety of recreational opportunities for residents to enjoy including, but not limited to, outdoor event/green space, community playground, restrooms, multi-use trails, outdoor fitness stations, a fishing pond and multi-purpose fields. The conceptual plan for this park was derived from community input collected through a series of citizen surveys and public outreach events. The Westside Regional Park is currently in the final stages of engineering for Phase One with construction anticipated to begin in the fall of 2023. Upon completion, the Westside Regional Park will be a world-class destination unlike anything Nassau County has ever seen.
 
The third and final award from the Florida Planning & Zoning Association was an Environmental/Natural Resources Award for the County’s Conservation Land Acquisition and Management (CLAM) Program adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on January 25, 2021. The purpose of the CLAM was to preserve and conserve the County’s natural, historic, and working lands resources by identifying, ranking and accessing conservation lands for acquisition and management. An essential tool of the CLAM Program is to create, analyze and manipulate geographic information, known as data layers. These data layers are maps of resources which can be displayed as they overlap and interact, and where different statistical and analytical processes can be applied to better understand a landscape filled with multiple interacting resources.  Nineteen different data layers were selected for consideration, representing different potential conservation resources.  The different data layers all relate to one of the four most common considerations for acquiring conservation land: Water Issues, Habitat and Species Protections, Working Lands, and Outdoor Recreation/Quality of Life.  This map is used to analyze properties being considered for acquisition. By having a CLAM Program in place, the County will increase its ability to further preserve our natural environment and enhance quality of life for our residents. 

County Manager, Taco Pope, stated, “I am extremely proud of all the hard work and effort put into these initiatives and for being selected for these three prestigious awards. As Nassau County continues to grow, it is imperative that we have plans in place to accommodate current and future residents while protecting the County’s unique history, culture and natural environment. I feel fortunate to be a part of these initiatives which will benefit the community for many years to come.” 

​

7/8/22 @ 4:55 p.m. - 

From July 24, 2021 through December 31, 2021, the Board of County Commissioners sought nominations from the public for properties to be considered for acquisition by the County for conservation purposes. A total of 750 nominations were received. 

At the May 19, 2022 Conservation Land Acquisition Management (CLAM) Committee, Assistant Planning Director, Holly Coyle, did a presentation on criteria that was used in selecting the properties to be considered. At this time, 30 projects consisting of 173 parcels and 10,000 acres and a total value of $110 million have been recommended.

The CLAM Committee met again on July 6, 2022 to continue discussions regarding staff’s project recommendations and ranking.  Staff provided two alternative ranking recommendations, as well as an estimate of project acquisition timing. To view the July 6th meeting, please click here. 

At the next Committee meeting scheduled for August 2, 2022 at 5:00 p.m., nominators will be given the opportunity to advocate for project submittals. A final ranking recommendation by the Committee is anticipated.

If you have any questions, please contact Economic Resources Coordinator, Holly Coyle, at (904) 530-6010 or via email at hcoyle@nassaucountyfl.com. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

6/16/22 @ 2:45 p.m. - 

PROPERTIES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ACQUISITION

From July 24, 2021 through December 31, 2021, the Board of County Commissioners sought nominations from the public for properties to be considered for acquisition by the County for conservation purposes. A total of 750 nominations were received. 

At the May 19, 2022 Conservation Land Acquisition Management (CLAM) Committee, Assistant Planning Director, Holly Coyle, did a presentation on criteria that was used in selecting the properties to be considered. At this time, 30 projects consisting of 173 parcels and 10,000 acres and a total value of $110 million have been recommended.

To view Ms. Coyle's May 19th presentation, please click here.
To view the staff reports related to each property under consideration, please click here. 

A CLAM Meeting has been tentatively been scheduled for Wednesday, July 6th at 4:00 p.m. to rank the properties and proposals. 

CLAM REFERENDUM

At the May 23, 2022 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners approved a Resolution authorizing placement of a referendum on the ballot for the November 2022 election for residents to vote on whether the County should issue up to $30 million in general obligation bonds for a Conservation Land Acquisition and Management Program. 

If approved by the voters, the bond funding would be used to purchase properties identified by the CLAM Committee for conservation purposes. The proposed Conservation Land Acquisition and Management Program would be subject to oversight and full public disclosure of all bond spending. 

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

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/31/22 @ 10:15 a.m.

PRESS RELEASE

We are pleased to announce that County Manager, Taco Pope, and the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners have been jointly named as Partner of the Year by the North Florida Land Trust for the Conservation Land Acquisition and Management (CLAM) Plan adopted on January 25, 2021. The CLAM was created to provide guidance in the selection of lands to be acquired by the County and set aside for conservation.

Mr. Pope and the Board were recognized at the North Florida Land Trust’s Annual Meeting on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. North Florida Land Trust President, Jim McCarthy, stated, “Nassau County is being recognized for leading the effort in adopting the strategic Conservation Land Acquisition and Management Plan for Nassau County and for preparing for a local land conservation referendum to the voters in November 2022. The process they are following is exemplary in that they are planning for conservation in a rapidly growing county utilizing a commitment to transparency, equity, fiduciary responsibility and scientific integrity. Due to Nassau County’s efforts, they are preserving as much land as possible for wildlife habitat, environmental sustainability, and community resilience”.

According to Mr. McCarthy, to be considered for the title of Partner of the Year, an agency must advance the North Florida Land Trust’s mission in preserving and enhancing the quality of life by protecting North Florida’s irreplaceable natural environment.
 
County Manager, Taco Pope, stated, “Adopting the CLAM was a monumental step forward for Nassau County. We’ve had great partners to help us get to this point. With the support of the North Florida Land Trust Board of Directors and staff, we were able to successfully create a program that will guide the County in identifying properties for conservation, planning for acquisition of those properties, and ensuring that the properties are managed sustainably and with appropriate recreational opportunities for the public. We appreciate the guidance they provided us and are honored to have been selected as Partner of the Year”.

To view the adopted CLAM Program, please visit our website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

9/8/21 @ 10:35 a.m. - In January 2021, the Board of County Commissioners adopted the Conservation Land Acquisition and Management (CLAM) Program which will guide the County in identifying, ranking, and assessing conservation land for potential acquisition and management. The County then formed a CLAM Committee consisting of individuals with skills and experience related to the acquisition of conservation lands. Members are as follows:

• Brandy Carvahlo (term 2021-2025)
• Bill Korn (term 2021-2025)
• Bill Watson (term 2021-2025)
• Chris Hill (term 2021-2023)
• Leonard Wood (term 2021-2023)

The CLAM Committee has scheduled a meeting for Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097. The meeting is open to the public. An agenda will be posted on our website prior to the meeting.

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

As a reminder, the County is soliciting nominations of lands to be considered for the CLAM Program. Additional information on submitting nominations can be found here.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

NASSAU COUNTY IS ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS OF PROPERTIES
FOR POTENTIAL ACQUISITION THROUGH THE CONSERVATION LAND ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (CLAM)

Nomination Period: July 24, 2021 through December 31, 2021

The Nassau County Conservation Land Acquisition and Management (CLAM) program was created to preserve and conserve the county’s natural, historic, and working lands resources by identifying, ranking, and assessing conservation lands for acquisition and management.

The County shall accept nominations of properties for potential acquisition by the County through the CLAM Program from any person or organization, including the County, nonprofit organizations, and local, regional, state, or federal governmental entities. To nominate a property for potential acquisition, the nominator shall submit an application to the Nassau County Planning Department. Nominators may nominate an entire parcel for acquisition in fee simple or only a specific portion thereof or interest therein. In nominating properties, nominators should consider, at a minimum, the information contained in the Conservation Plan, the CLAM Resource Rankings Map, and the CLAM Manual.

Nominations must be received by the Nassau County Planning Department no later than 5:00 pm on Friday, December 31, 2021. Nominations received after the nomination period will not be considered. CLAM documents and nomination forms can be found at the following link or can be picked up and dropped off in person at the address listed below:

https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/933/Conservation-Land-Acquisition-Management

Nassau County Planning Department
96161 Nassau Place
Yulee, Florida 32097

7/15/21 @ 8:45 p.m.

NASSAU COUNTY IS ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS OF PROPERTIES
FOR POTENTIAL ACQUISITION THROUGH THE CONSERVATION LAND ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (CLAM)

Nomination Period: July 24, 2021 through December 31, 2021

The Nassau County Conservation Land Acquisition and Management (CLAM) program was created to preserve and conserve the county’s natural, historic, and working lands resources by identifying, ranking, and assessing conservation lands for acquisition and management.

The County shall accept nominations of properties for potential acquisition by the County through the CLAM Program from any person or organization, including the County, nonprofit organizations, and local, regional, state, or federal governmental entities. To nominate a property for potential acquisition, the nominator shall submit an application to the Nassau County Planning Department. Nominators may nominate an entire parcel for acquisition in fee simple or only a specific portion thereof or interest therein. In nominating properties, nominators should consider, at a minimum, the information contained in the Conservation Plan, the CLAM Resource Rankings Map, and the CLAM Manual.

Nominations must be received by the Nassau County Planning Department no later than 5:00 pm on Friday, December 31, 2021. Nominations received after the nomination period will not be considered. CLAM documents and nomination forms can be found at the following link or can be picked up and dropped off in person at the address listed below:

https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/933/Conservation-Land-Acquisition-Management

Nassau County Planning Department
96161 Nassau Place
Yulee, Florida 32097

6/11/21 @ 4:45 p.m.

In January 2021, the Board of County Commissioners adopted the Conservation Land Acquisition and Management (CLAM) program which will guide the County in identifying, ranking and assessing conservation lands for acquisition and management. The acquisition of conservation land requires specific skills and oversight not typical to the usual volunteer committee so the County solicited applications for volunteers to serve on the CLAM Comittee with experience in the following areas:

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

Solicitation for members was open from February 19 through March 26. The County received 14 applications meeting the minimum skills, expertise and demonstratable experience that relate to the acquisition of conservation lands.

On May 24, 2021, the Board appointed five (5) CLAM Committee Members as follows: • Brandy Carvalho (Term 2021-2025) • Bill Korn (Term 2021-2025) • Bill Watson (Term 2021-2025) • Chris Hill (Term 2021-2023) • Leonard Wood (Term 2021-2023)

We appreciate their willingness to serve and look forward to working with each member. The first meeting of the CLAM Committee will be held in July (date to be announced).

-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