7/26/23 @ 10:45 a.m. - At the Monday, July 24, 2023 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution No. 2023-134 proclaiming the week of July 29 - August 5, 2023, as "Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week". 

Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week was first recognized in 2012 to celebrate the living legacy of Gullah/Geechee history, heritage, and culture. The Gullah/Geechees have an extensive history in Nassau County that 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. 

Representatives from the Gullah/Geechee Nation, including Chieftess Queen Quet, were in attendance to accept the Resolution. The City of Fernandina Beach also recently passed a Proclamation in recognition of Gullah/Geechee Appreciation Week. Mayor Bradley Bean attended the County meeting on behalf of the City to present their Proclamation to the group. 

The Board of County Commissioners extends their best wishes as they celebrate "Celebrating Gullah/Geechee Resiliency". 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

6/28/23 @ 11:55 a.m. - At the Monday, June 26, 2023 meeting, the Board approved Resolution No. 2023-122 proclaiming the month of July 2023 as Park & Recreation Month in Nassau County. This month has been recognized nationally since 1985 to promote building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation and to recognize the more than 160,000 full-time and seasonal employees who maintain our country's local, state and community parks. 

This year's theme is "Where Community Grows" celebrates the vital role park and recreation professionals play in bringing people together, providing essential services, and fostering growth of communities.

Nassau County joins the National Recreation and Parks Association and the Florida Recreation and Park Association in celebrating Park and Recreation Month and the value that parks and recreation have on our community and residents. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

6/13/23 @ 2:00 p.m. 

The Board of County Commissioners recently recognized the Bartram Garden Club by adopting Resolution No. 2023-115 proclaiming the week of June 4 - June 10, 2023 as National Garden Week in Nassau County, Florida. 

Created in 2016, the Bartram Garden Club is a non-profit organization that works to further the education of its members and the public in the fields of horticulture and landscape design, as well as supporting of sustainable conservation practices. To further their mission of promoting gardening, floral design and civic and environmental responsibility in our community, the Club focuses on community service projects, disaster relief efforts and skill-building activities in eco-scaping and community beautification. 

Gardening enables members of Garden Clubs across the nation to make a difference in the communities where they reside and work.  The Bartram Garden Club's efforts in Nassau County include landscaping for Habitat for Humanity homes/projects; landscaping improvements at Ft. Clinch State Park; and grounds maintenance at the Women's Club, just to name a few! 

Are you someone who loves gardening and wants to make a difference in the community? Learn more about the Bartram Gardening Club by visiting their website at bartramgardenclub.org. Here you can find information on Club membership and current projects, as well as a gallery featuring photos from previous projects/activities. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer


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5/25/23 @ 3:10 p.m. - At the Monday, May 22nd meeting, the Board approved Resolution No. 2023-112 proclaiming the week of June 1 - June 7, 2023, as CPR and AED Awareness Week. 

This week is recognized nationally by the American Heart Association to spotlight how lives can be saved if more Americans know how to administer Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). 

According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States each year and of those, 70% happen in the home. About 90% of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die, however the victim's chance of survival more than doubles if a bystander immediately performs hands-only CPR. 

The Nassau County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) has spearheaded a free hands-only CPR and AED public education program and has already trained more than 800 Nassau County residents. The Board recognizes the value MRC's Lifesavers Initiative Outreach Program and extends their gratitude to its volunteers and educators for their service to the residents of Nassau County. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

5/19/23 @ 9:10 a.m.- At the Wednesday, May 17th meeting, the Board approved Resolution No. 2023-109 proclaiming the week of May 21-May 27, 2023, as "Emergency Medical Services Week" in Nassau County, Florida. EMS week was authorized by President Gerald Ford in 1974 to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation's communities. 2023 is the 49th year that EMS week has been recognized nationally. 

This year's theme is "EMS: Where Emergency Care Begins". Emergency medical services has grown to fill a gap by providing important, out of hospital care, including preventatives medicine, follow-up care, and access to telemedicine. The emergency medical care system consists of first responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, educators, administrators, pre-hospital nurses, emergency nurses, emergency physicians, trained members of the public and other out of hospital medical care providers. 

The Board of County Commissioners commends all emergency medical service workers in Nassau County and extends their gratitude to them for all they do to care for Nassau County's residents.  

-Sabrina Robertson 
​ Public Information Officer

5/17/23 @ 12:45 p.m. - 

May 15th was designated by Presidential Proclamation in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy, as Peace Officer Memorial Day and the week in which it falls as National Police Week. This was designated to honor those officers, Federal, State and local, who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty. National Police Week has become widely recognized throughout the United States of America as a new way for the citizenry to pay tribute and express their gratitude to those who serve and to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. 

Since the first recorded death in 1786, there have been 23,785 law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice and were killed in the line of duty. In the Spring of 2023, 556 new names of fallen heroes were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, including 224 killed in 2022.

​To date, Nassau County has suffered the loss of 13 law enforcement officers, heroes who have fallen in the line of duty, including 8 from the Nassau County Sheriff's Office, 1 from the City of Fernandina Beach Police Department, 1 Florida Highway Patrol Officer, 2 from the Florida Department of Agriculture, and 1 Hilliard Constable. 

At today's Board of County Commissioners meeting, the Board approved Resolution No. 2023-110 proclaiming the week of May 14 - May 20, 2023 as National Police Week and Monday, May 15, 2023 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in Nassau County, Florida. Representatives from the Nassau County Sheriff's Office and City of Fernandina Beach Police Department were in attendance for the reading of the Resolution. 

The Board commends all law enforcement personnel for their service and dedication to Nassau County and its residents. Nassau County residents are encouraged to thank a law enforcement officer this week for all they do to keep our community safe from violence and disorder. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

5/12/23 @ 10:30 a.m. - At the Monday, May 8th meeting, the Board approved Resolution No. 2023-101 proclaiming May 29, 2023 as "Theodore H. Hernandez American Legion Auxiliary Unit 54 - 100th Anniversary Day. 

In 1919, the national American Legion Auxiliary was founded to support the American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military and their families, both at home and abroad. On May 29, 1923, the Fernandina Beach American Legion Auxiliary Unit 54, now known as the Theodore H. Hernandez American Legion Auxiliary Unit 54 was chartered. The unit has supported numerous community organizations such as Nassau County Council on Aging, Nassau County Schools - Families in Transition (FIT) Program, Adopt-a-Soldier, Ferst Readers of Nassau County, Salvation Army Hope House, Trees for Troops, Coalition for the Homeless, Barnabas Center, Wounded Warrior Project, K9s for Warriors, West Nassau JROTC, Foar from Home, Cats Angels, and the Nassau Humane Society... Just to name a few. 

The Board appreciate all they do for the community and extends their best wishes as they celebrate their 100th Anniversary.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

5/10/23 @ 10:05 a.m. - Today is World Lupus Day, a day designated nationally to raise awareness of lupus to increase understanding and support for those affected by this mysterious, autoimmune disease. Lupus affects people of all nationalities, races, ethnicities, genders and ages, causing severe damage to the tissue and organs in the body and in some cases, can cause death. 

The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that 1.5 million Americans, and at least 5 million people worldwide, have a form of lupus, many of which have yet to be diagnosed. There is a deep, unmet need worldwide to educate the public about lupus and to support individuals and families affected by lupus. Unfortunately, medical research efforts are under-funded in comparison to diseases of comparable magnitude and severity. Further, many physicians worldwide are unaware of the symptoms and health affects of lupus, causing people to suffer for many years before they obtain a correct diagnosis and medical treatment. 

At the Monday, May 8th meeting, the Board approved Resolution No. 2023-100 proclaiming Wednesday, May 10th as World Lupus Day in Nassau County. Representatives from the World Lupus Foundation were in attendance for the reading of the Resolution and to accept it. 

This year's theme is "Make Lupus Visible". Today, residents are encouraged to learn more about lupus so you can show support to those who are affected by it. You can sign the World Lupus Day awareness pledge created to raise awareness and to encourage additional funding for lupus research. You can also show your support today by wearing purple. 

To learn more about lupus, visit www.lupus.org. 

-Sabrina Robertson 
 Public Information Officer

5/4/23 @ 10:20 a.m. 

At the April 24th meeting, the Board approved Resolution No. 2023-052 proclaiming the week of May 7 - May 13, 2023, as "National Travel & Tourism Week" in Nassau County, Florida. This week has been recognized nationally since 1983 to celebrate the U.S. travel community and travel's essential role in stimulating economic growth, cultivating vibrant communities, creating quality job opportunities, inspiring new businesses, and elevating the quality of life for Americans every day. 

Tourism is extremely important to Nassau County as 26% of our residents rely on tourism in their careers in retail, hospitality, and service industries. In 2022, tourism had an overall economic impact of $907 million, with $618 million total in taxable sales within Nassau County including purchases on gasoline, retail, food, attractions, grocery stores, and more. 

$11.4 million was collected from the 5% Tourist Development Tax on short-term hotel, bed and breakfast and vacation rentals. Funds generated from the Tourist Development Taxes cover 100% of beach cleaning on all of Amelia Island, we well as cleaning of all beachfront park restrooms. Funds are also used to support local programs and events such as Dickens on Centre, Restaurant Week, and the Chamber Music Festival, among others. 

We appreciate our partners at the Tourist Development Council for all they do to make Nassau County a world-class travel destination and for their efforts in enhancing the quality of life for Nassau County residents by boosting of local economy, engaging with the community, and providing a visitor experience that our guests will remember for years to come.

Also, the Amelia Island Convention & Visitor's Bureau has released the 2022 Year in Review which provides valuable insights on the performance of the local tourism industry. It also tells a story about our visitors... where they're from, how they spend their money when visiting, how that money supports local jobs, and the overall impact those dollars have on our County. The 2022 Year in Review can be found here. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Office

5/1/23 @ 3:30 p.m. Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is recognized nationally in May to remind vehicle drivers and motorists that safe driving and riding practices can help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on our nation's highways. 

At the April 24, 2023 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution No. 2023-097 as "Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month" in Nassau County. The Resolution was accepted by the American Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE) of Florida, Vintage Chapter, which actively promotes safe operation, increased rider training, and increased motor awareness of motorcycles. Residents are encouraged to recognize the need for awareness, especially as it relates to sharing the road with motorcycles. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer