June 3, 2022
For years, folks have been looking for that great escape from their everyday lives. So tired of the rat race and daily grind. Amelia Island has everything you’re looking for when planning that much-needed escape. We’re loaded with southern charm, abundant nature, uncrowded beaches, and a slower pace that is craved today. The natural beauty seen all around you is due in part to nature and in part to some really good folks that help keep it that way.
As part of the Leave No Trace program (originally begun in 1990), Amelia Island passed an island-wide beach ordinance in 2016 “prohibiting and regulating personal property unattended on Atlantic Ocean Beaches within the unincorporated areas of Amelia Island”. As ordinances go, it’s written with a lot of legal jargon but the gist of what it says is “if you leave it, you will lose it”. Pretty simple really. Any personal property left unattended after 8 p.m. on Amelia Island beaches will be removed and destroyed for Nassau County and the City of Fernandina Beach. This includes tents, tent poles, cabanas, coolers, grills, beach chairs, kayaks, sailboards, and sand toys. Basically your footprints should be all that is left.
So, why am I saying all of this? Well, in short be a kind traveler. Be a good steward of our little island while you’re here – to the animals, nature, and most importantly, one another. Treat our island just the same as you would want someone visiting your home to do – by using the 7 principles of the Leave No Trace program. Although originally created to help the forests and back country, the beauty of Leave No Trace is that it can be applied anywhere, even the beach!
Plan Ahead and Prepare – When biking, beachcombing, hiking, or boating, make sure to pack the essentials – water bottle, snacks, bug spray, sunscreen and a trash bag.Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces – Use only the campsites and trails provided for you. Don’t make your own path. Sand dunes at the beach may look like a fun place to climb, but refrain. Those dunes provide a natural barrier from hurricanes and other storms by taking the brunt of the wind and storm surge.Dispose of Waste Properly – While many of our island amenities provide trash receptacles, some are unable (waterways). Keep a trash bag on hand so you not only have a place to toss your trash, but you can also pick up waste that someone else may have left behind.
Leave What You Find – With so much beauty around you, it’s easy to want to take souvenirs home. However, we encourage you to leave nature as you find it and only take pictures!
Minimize Campfire Impacts – Beach campfires or bonfires “between sundown and sunup” are seasonally allowed in Winter/Spring but not during sea turtle nesting season from May 1 to October 31. Fires must be extinguished prior to leaving the beach.
Respect Wildlife – Wildlife is very important to us here. So many animals (on land and water) call Amelia Island home. Learn the rules and always respect the posted signs around the island.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors – When exploring Amelia Island’s great outdoors, be considerate of everyone else doing the same. Keep noise levels down, control your pets, and don’t damage any of your surroundings. Everyone wants to enjoy their time on vacation.This old world desperately needs love from every direction right now. We can practice that when we’re at home AND when we’re on vacation. Amelia Island belongs to all of us. Lets keep it great for everyone now and for those in the generations to come. #LoveAmelia