8/5/22 @ 9:45 a.m. - At the Wednesday, August 3rd meeting, the Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution No. 2022-152 proclaiming the week of July 30-August 6, 2022 as "Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week". 

Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week began in 2012 and is meant to celebrate the living legacy of Gullah/Geechee history, heritage, and culture of the Gullah/Geechee people. Their extensive history in Nassau County includes both the enslavement and self-determination of the Gullah/Geechee people through the history of Amelia Island, Old Town, Yulee, Nassauville, Franklintown, and American Beach. 

Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, accepted the Resolution. Several individuals attended as well, representing local families who are descendants of the Gullah/Geechees including the Wood family of Nassauville; the Hooper family of Nassauville; the Thomas family of Yulee; the Blue family of Fernandina Beach; the Albertie family of Nassauville;  and the Morris and Simmons family of O'neil. 

The Board of County Commissioners extends their best wishes to the Gullah/Geechee Nation as they celebrate the Gullah/Geechee's living legacy this week. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

6/30/22 @ 10:40 a.m. - At the Monday, June 27, 2022 meeting, the Board approved Resolution No. 2022-130 proclaiming the week of July 1 - July 7, 2022, as Clean Beaches Week in Nassau County, Florida. Clean Beaches Week is recognized annually across the nation to spread awareness regarding the effects of pollution on marine life, oceans and coastal landscape. Public Works Director, Doug Podiak, and Convention & Visitor's Bureau Executive Director, Gil Langley, were in attendance to accept the Resolution.

Nassau County beaches have long been a source of beauty and enjoyment, drawing thousands of visitors per year. The Board strives to ensure that Nassau County beaches remain pristine. By collection of the Tourist Development Tax by lodging establishments on Amelia Island, the County is able to fund 100% of beach cleaning efforts. These efforts including removal of trash and debris from both City and County beaches, emptying of all trashcans along the beach, removal of trash and debris from all beach front parks, and cleaning of all beach front park restrooms. In 2021, the beach contractor removed approximately 100 tons of trash and debris from City and County beaches, beach access areas, and parking lots.

The Amelia Island Convention and Visitor's Bureau works tirelessly to ensure that visitors understand the importance of keeping our beaches clean by providing printed materials for lodging establishments and supplying signage in beach front parks encouraging residents and visitors to "leave no trace".

By caring for the beach and keeping it clean, the Board of County Commissioners is investing in preservation of the environment and wildlife by ensuring that harmful materials do not end up in the ocean or destroy beach habitats. This week, residents and visitors are encouraged to make a positive impact by cleaning up trash and debris that have been left behind and encouraging others to do the same.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer 

6/23/22 @ 9:20 a.m. - At the Wednesday, June 15th meeting, the Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution No. 2022-128, proclaiming the week of June 25-July 1, 2022, as "National Boys & Girls Club Week" in Nassau County, Florida. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Nassau County instill young people with the self-confidence to believe that they can succeed at anything they put their minds to and stand at the forefront of efforts in the areas of child safety, academics, fair play, healthy lifestyles, and character. They also help ensure that young people have a safe supportive place to spend time and will provide them with quality youth development programs. 

There are approximately 4,000 clubs and over 2 million children and teens attendees nationwide. Nassau County currently has three Boys & Girls Club locations that serve 700 young people annually. To learn more about Boys & Girls Club centers in Nassau County, please visit their website at ​https://bgcnassau.org/. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

6/15/22 @ 1:30 p.m. - At the Monday, June 13, 2022, the Board approved Resolution No. 2022-112 proclaiming June 19, 2022, as Juneteenth Independence Day in Nassau County, Florida. 

President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 and on May 20, 1865, General Edward Cook rode into Tallahassee to execute enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation and announced that enslaved Africans in Florida were freed. Then, on June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced the end of the Civil War and the end of slavery. African Americans in Texas began celebrating this date to commemorate their release from chattel enslavement. 

In 1991, the Florida Legislature designated June 19th of each year as "Juneteenth Day" in recognition of the traditional observance that began in Texas. And in 2021, the United States Congress passed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, making Juneteenth a Federal Holiday. 

The Board encourages residents to celebrate during programs, events and observances that will be hosted throughout the area, including events in Fernandina Beach and Historic American Beach. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

6/14/22 @ 4:50 p.m. - At the Monday, June 13, 2022 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution No. 2022-113 recognizing the efforts of Glenda Simmons-Jenkins and commending her on her Florida Archaeological Council 2022 Stewards of Heritage Award. 

Ms. Simmons-Jenkins is a resident of Nassau County who has dedicated countless hours locating and documenting African-American heritage in northeast Florida. Her efforts include identification and updates to numerous sites to the Florida Master Site File, including but not limited to, the Harper Chapel Cemetery; Hughes/Friendship archaeological site; Gross Cemetery; Jones Jacob Wilder Cemetery, Martin Cemetery; Friendship Baptist Church; Third Mt. Zion Baptist Church; Silver Square Masonic Lodge; and the Amos White Community Center. 

Ms. Simmons-Jenkins also serves as a Florida Representative for the Gullah/Geechee Nation, and as a co-founder of the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Committee of Northeast Florida, a group that works to elevate the voices of Gullah/Geechee descendants and to protect their cultural practices, resources, and landscapes. The Gullah/Geechee people have an extensive history in Nassau County that includes Evergreen, Sandhill, White Oak, Kings Ferry, Lessie, Hero, Piney, O'Neil and Nassauville.

It was announced on May 6, 2022 that Ms. Simmons-Jenkins is the proud recipient of the Florida Archaeological Council's Stewards of Heritage Award which recognizes individuals who have made an outstanding contributions to aid archaeological preservation and promote public awareness of Florida's heritage. 

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Simmons-Jenkins on her achievement and thanking her for all she has done to advance research and education for African-American sites in Nassau County.

-Sabrina Robertson 
 Public Information Officer

At the Monday, May 9th meeting, the Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution No. 2022-101 proclaiming May 2022 as Mental Health First Aid Month in Nassau County, Florida. 

The Mental Health First Aid Act of 2015 and the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2016 speaks volumes as to the importance of mental health first aid in our Country. This month, residents are encouraged to increase their knowledge of signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental illness and substance use disorders in both children and adults. 

Katrina Robinson-Wheeler, Director of Community Outreach and Education for Starting Point, was in attendance to accept the Resolution. She also showed a brief video that demonstrates how some people have difficulty having an honest conversation about mental health and are unsure how to help someone who is struggling. Simply asking questions or listening can help someone tremendously. Take a moment to watch the video linked below and learn more about how to respond when someone tells you they're not okay. 

Lastly, know that there are many resources available to you, should you need them. Ask your employer if they have an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) or talk to your primary care provider for a referral. National Resources include the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; National Alliance for the Mentally Ill; National Institute of Mental Health; National Suicide Prevention Lifeline; National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; Start Your Recovery; and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. Additional information on these resources can be found on Starting Point's website. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

4/20/22 @ 11:45 a.m. - National Crime Victim's Rights Week is recognized annually across the country to highlight the important voices of crime survivors and the countless service providers and first responders who work tirelessly to support them.

2022 marks the 40th Anniversary of National Crime Victim's Rights Week and as such, the Board of County Commissioners feels it is important to recognize the efforts of our local Crime Victim's Advocate. The Sheriff has employed a Crime Victim's Advocate since 2000. The person serving in that position currently is Nassau County resident, Brittany Reynolds.

Brittany attended today's County Commission meeting to accept Resolution No. 2022-034 proclaiming April 18 - April 24, 2022 as National Crime Victim's Rights Week in Nassau County, Florida.

Being a victim of crime and navigating the criminal justice system can be a frightening and confusing experience. However, the Crime Victim's Advocate is here to assist victims by providing compassion, emotional support, guidance through the court process and assistance in finding much needed resources. We commend Brittany for all she does to support victims and survivors in the aftermath of crime.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

4/13/22 @ 12:45 p.m. - National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week has been observed in the United States since 1981 to recognize public safety professionals who respond to emergency calls and dispatch emergency responders and equipment during a time of crisis.

At the Monday, April 11, 2022, meeting, the Board of County Commissioners recognized members of the Nassau County Sheriff's Dispatch Division. These individuals work tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to assist during an emergency. They are the first and most critical contact our citizens have with emergency services and their prompt response is critical to the protection of life and preservation of property.

The Board presented them with Resolution No. 2022-033 designating the week of April 10 - April 16, 2022, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Nassau County, Florida. This week, we will honor the men and women whose diligence and professionalism keep our county and citizens safe.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

4/12/22 @ 4:45 p.m. - At the Board of County Commissioner's meeting held on Monday, April 11, 2022, the Board approved Resolution No. 2022-031, declaring April 10 - April 16, 2022 as "Animal Care & Control Appreciation Week" in Nassau County.

This week is designated to recognize the outstanding services provided by Nassau County Animal Services including enforcement of animal control laws, promoting animal related public safety and providing education on responsible pet ownership.

Nassau County Animal Services continues to qualify as a "no-kill" shelter due to their efforts in ensuring that animals entering the facility leave the facility through various avenues, including but not limited to, adoptions, fostering, return to owners, and transfer to animal rescue groups.

In Fiscal Year 2020/2021, Nassau County Animal Services responded to 4,600 calls for service. Additional efforts included adoption of 1,536 pets and hosting of 16 animal adoption events.

Employees of NCAS work tirelessly to keep the community informed about animal law enforcement, responsible pet ownership, and raising awareness for each pet that needs adopting. Most importantly, they maintain proper sanitation protocols while providing each animal with the love and care they deserve.

If you see an employee of NCAS this week, be sure to thank them for their hard work and dedication.

-Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer

4/1/22 @ 4:30 p.m. - At the Monday, March 28, 2022 meeting, the Board approved Resolution No. 2022-024, proclaiming April 2022 as Flood Awareness Month. This month is meant to raise awareness regarding the risk of flooding in our coastal community and to encourage residents to take steps necessary to reduce loss of life and property.

Nassau County is also a voluntary participant in the National Flood Insurance Program that provides residents with the opportunity to protect themselves against flood loss through the purchase of flood insurance at reduced premium rates. Community messaging and outreach events provides the County with credits with FEMA's Community Rating System and helps us to maintain our flood management ratings. As such, we will be sharing important information related to flooding throughout the month of April.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer