9/12/24 @ 9:00 a.m. - In case you missed it! The Council on Aging is hosting the 10th Annual Senior Expo and Health Fair on Friday, September 13, 2024 from 9am-1pm. This event will include over 60 exhibits for senior services including, but not limited to, Social Security Administration, Veterans Services, State & Local Government Agencies, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Seniors vs Crime, Health Insurance Providers, Senior Living, Wellness, and more! The event will also include representatives from the Council on Aging sharing their senior programs, and Baptist Health who will provide information on nutrition, cancer, BMI screenings, and stroke education. 

The event will take place at the Atlantic Recreation Center located at 2500 Atlantic Avenue in Fernandina Beach. If you have any questions, please contact the Council on Aging at (904) 261-0701.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

2/15/24 @ 1:30 p.m.

The Board of County Commissioners has begun the budgeting process for Fiscal Year 2024/2025.

Nassau County greatly values the benefits and contributions made by non-profit organizations to the community. As such, we would like to extend an invitation to nonprofit organizations serving residents of Nassau County to apply to be considered for funding. To be considered, you must complete a Nonprofit Funding Request Application. This form can be found on the County’s official website at www.nassaucountyfl.com, under the Office of Management and Budget or by this direct link: https://nassaufl.co/NPFundingApplication.

Your funding request must be provided to the Office of Management & Budget located at 96135 Nassau Place, Suite 2, Yulee, FL 32097, by the close of business on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.

On Friday, May 17, 2024, a Public Forum will be held for agencies to make a brief presentation regarding your organization and its request. Agencies submitting funding requests will be contacted by the Office of Management & Budget to schedule a time for your presentation.

If you have any questions, please contact Senior Budget Coordinator, Sharon Johns, at (904) 530-6010, Option 2, or via e-mail at [email protected].

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

2/14/24 @ 9:30 a.m. - At the Monday, February 12, 2024 meeting, the Board approved Proclamation No. 2024-03 in celebration of the Nassau County Council on Aging's 50th Anniversary which takes place on February 15, 2024.  

The COA is a non-profit organization who works to enhance the lives of older adults through services and compassionate care designed to improve the health, independence and economic security of Nassau County seniors and their families. Their programs enable those 60 and older to live independently at home while also providing opportunities for socialization and participation in activities geared toward the needs of seniors. 

Programs/services offered to our seniors include household chores, meal delivery and transportation. The COA also provides Adult Day Healthcare, Advocate Home Healthcare, Chore (small home repairs), Support Groups, Senior Life Centers and more. 

In 2022, the COA provided more than 45,000 meals to seniors, assisted with 22,000 of personal care, companionship, shopping and caregiver respite, and provided 52,000 trips through their transportation services. Additionally, through the COA, nearly 300 volunteers provided over 10,000 hours to Nassau County seniors. 

On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, we congratulate the COA on their 50th Anniversary and extend our heartfelt gratitude to them for their long-time service and dedication to Nassau County residents. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

12/22/23 @ 7:00 a.m. - Congratulations to Keep Nassau Beautiful (KNB) on their recent 2023 Outstanding Project Award for their "Refill Nassau Florida" campaign. The Board of County Commissioners recognized this achievement at their Wednesday, December 20th meeting. 

KNB is a non-profit organization dedicated to conservation, sustainability, and beautification of our community. The reusable cup program launched in November 2022 to reduce the use of single-use plastics. More than 59,000 reusable, refillable, and easily recycled aluminum cups have been distributed to more than 25 restaurants and partner organizations. They can also be found at local festivals and events, including the County's Bicentennial Kick-off Event on January 13, 2024. 

Thank you, Keep Nassau Beautiful, for all you do to keep our County clean, safe and beautiful. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer 

11/10/23 @ 11:00 a.m.

​The Community Stewards of Yulee, Inc. is a local non-profit organization who serves the Yulee community by hosting charity events and promoting community engagement. This year, they are hosting a holiday light decorating contest, "Light Up Yulee With Christmas Spirit" and are encouraging businesses along US Highway 17 and State Road 200 in Nassau County to decorate their storefronts. Upload a photo to the organization's FaceBook page anytime between November 24 and December 25, 2023, and the community will vote on their favorite. The winner will be announced in January 2024. 

For additional information, please contact the Community Stewards of Yulee, Inc. at (904) 524-3758 or via email at [email protected]. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

2/3/23 @ 11:15 a.m. 

The Board of County Commissioners has begun the budgeting process for Fiscal Year 2023/2024.

Nassau County greatly values the benefits and contributions made by non-profit organizations to the community. As such, we would like to extend an invitation to nonprofit organizations serving residents of Nassau County to apply to be considered for funding. To be considered, you must complete a Nonprofit Funding Request Application. The application can be found here: https://bit.ly/NFPFundingRequest.   
 
Your funding request must be provided to the Office of Management & Budget located at 96135 Nassau Place, Suite 2, Yulee, FL 32097, by the close of business on Wednesday, March 1, 2023.

On Friday, May 19, 2023, a Public Forum will be held for agencies to make a brief presentation regarding your organization and its request. Agencies submitting funding requests will be contacted by the Office of Management & Budget to schedule a time for your presentation.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Sr. Budget Coordinator, Megan Sawyer, at (904) 530-6010, Option 2, or via e-mail at [email protected].  

3/21/22 @ 9:45 a.m. - Please see the below Press Release issued by Keep Nassau Beautiful following their Adopt-a-Tree Event in Callahan last week.

More than 140 Free Trees were distributed in Callahan During Adopt A Tree Drive-Thru Event

** Jonah Blutcher was recognized for his video project: Save The Trees **

Nassau County, Florida, March 16, 2022. Keep Nassau Beautiful (KNB) kicked off its spring 2022 Adopt A Tree drive-thru by hosting an event at the NE FL Fairgrounds in Callahan. Nassau County residents reserved one or two trees from a list of five available Florida friendly species.

13 volunteers, including Nassau County Commissioner Klynt Farmer, OHPA Commissioner and KNB BOD Chair Mike Cole, and Nassau County Arborist Garner Cox, were on hand to help residents load their reserved trees in vehicles. The 1-to-3-gallon trees were 4 to 6 feet in height.

During the event KNB recognized Yulee High School student Jonah Blutcher with a gift card for his TSIC scholarship video project titled, Save The Trees. Blutcher’s video highlights the benefits of trees and his volunteer work with KNB during Adopt A Tree events. The video is posted on YouTube https://youtu.be/Y1bQ2YRHAf8 or from a link on the KNB website: https://keepnassaubeautiful.org/programs/planting-nassaus-future/

Adopt A Tree Drive-thru events are funded through dedicated grants, fundraising activities and private donations. In partnership, the City of Fernandina Beach provides free trees for residents of the City of Fernandina Beach. Liberty Landscape Supply sponsors the supply of trees. UF/IFAS Nassau County Extension provides the educational component. Residents are asked to help the tree get its best chance at a healthy long life by following the UF/IFAS Nassau County Extension recommendations for proper planting and maintenance including a watering schedule until the tree gets established.

For more information [email protected] or 904-261-0165.
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

2/17/22 @ 7:15 p.m.

Keep Nassau Beautiful (KNB) volunteers and partner organizations will be holding three free-tree /drive-through events where residents can pick-up one or two free trees to be planted in Nassau County.

Individuals, businesses, and organizations may reserve free trees by completing a few simple steps; reviewing UF/IFAS Extension tree fact sheets for the available species and viewing an educational video led by UF/IFAS Nassau County Extension. Once the on-line learning is complete residents will be ready to complete the reservation form to select their preferred tree species and pick-up location. Completion of the reservation form is required 72 hours prior to the drive-through event. Nassau County proof of residency is required to pick up one or two of our 3-gallon size trees. Residents are also asked to help the tree get its best chance at a healthy long life by following a watering schedule while their tree gets established.

Free tree drive-through events are scheduled as follows:

• Callahan: Saturday, March 12th at the NEFL Fairgrounds
• Yulee: Saturday, March 26th at the County Road & Bridge Office on Gene Lasserre Blvd.
• Fernandina Beach: Saturday, April 2nd at Peck Center

All events will be held between 9am – 11am. Details and reservation form at https://keepnassaubeautiful.org/news-and-events/.

The project is being generously funded through dedicated grants, fundraising activities and private donations. Liberty Landscape Supply sponsors the supply of up to 5-species of trees for the drive-through events. The City of Fernandina Beach funds trees for residents of the City of Fernandina Beach. Up to 500 trees will be distributed and species are available while supplies last.

“Trees are essential to addressing the negative effects of climate change, maintaining wildlife habitat, retaining property values and providing aesthetic beauty,” said Mike Cole, KNB Board Chair, “Keep Nassau Beautiful is honored to host these free tree drive-through events which engage residents in keeping Nassau County green and beautiful for future generations.” For more information [email protected] or 904-261-0165. 

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

Keep Nassau Beautiful 30th Anniversary Celebration
Media Release
Contact:
Lynda Bell, Executive Director Keep Nassau Beautiful
904-261-0165
[email protected]

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 [email protected]

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