Earth Day is celebrated around the world each year on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Whether it's centered around a local festival, located in a retail store or protecting Loggerhead sea turtles and their hatchlings, here are ways Amelia Island celebrates Earth Day every day.
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
April
The Amelia Island Wellness Festival, held consciously close to Earth Day, is taking advantage of a variety of inspirational settings where yoga, meditation and fitness celebrate mother earth AND motivate wellness.
May
Celebrate the natural wonders of our local environment with ecotours, wildlife exibits, conservation exhibits, kids activities and foot-stomping music. The Wild Amelia Nature Festival has something for everyone.
November
The Right Whale Festival celebrates the annual return of endangered North Atlantic right whales to our warm coastal waters and raises awareness of the threats to them and how we can all help in their recovery.
The Sprouting Project at Omni Amelia Island Plantation consists of a state-of-the-art aquaponic greenhouse, an expansive organic garden, a large collection of beehives and a barrel room. Guests can enjoy monthly dinners that incorporate items gathered directly from The Sprouting Project.
As the Birthplace of the Modern Shrimping Industry, what better way to celebrate our favorite crustacean than an interactive and informative tour of the waters surrounding Amelia Island.
STAFF NATURALIST
Amelia Island is home to a rare maritime forest ecosystem and unique array of flora and fauna and we are proud that both
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island and
Omni Amelia Island Plantation boast staff Naturalists to expand your knowledge of eco-tourism. Their knowledgable tours offer keen insight into what makes our island so special.
June - August
Amelia Island Adventure Camp is for kids age 9-12 who would enjoy an immersive nature and skill building experience. Kids learn Kayak skills, Paddleboarding, and go on nature tours finding dolphin and other wildlife.
RETAIL
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Your one stop shop for all things nature. Sign up for a nature tour, rent a fishing pole, purchase some binoculars, or visit with their local rescued critters. Whatever it is, the Nature Center at Omni Amelia Island Resort has you covered!
An all natural gift shop located in downtown Fernandina Beach that is dedicated to preserving our environment and protecting the ocean.
CONSERVATION
The Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch is comprised of volunteers dedicated to preserving and protecting the endangered sea turtles that are a valuable part of the natural heritage of Amelia Island. Learn more about sea turtle protection using
Amelia Island's reality app where you can see baby turtles come to life!
Keep Nassau Beautiful provides ways for residents to take action to make Nassau County a better place for people and nature to thrive. They sponsor clean up events, beautification events, educational events, and hazardous waste events to promote a clean and green lifestyle.
LANDMARKS
Egan's Creek Greenway is a protected area of 300+ acres of sensitive lands between Atlantic Ave and Sadler Road. Its grass-covered roads serve as a network of trails that are suitable for hiking and biking while studying wildlife and native vegetation. Benches and interpretive displays are located throughout the Greenway.
The tallest dune in Florida can be found at American Beach and was dubbed "NaNa" by MaVynne Betsch, better known as "The Beach Lady". Betsch spent much of her adult life educating the public on the environmental importance of American Beach and her conservation efforts to protect NaNa resulted in acquiring nearly ten acres as a national park now located in the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve.
Two state parks serve as beautiful book ends on Amelia Island. Fort Clinch State Park sits on 1,400 acres on the northermost end while Amelia Island State Park holds up 200 acres on the southern end.
Fort Clinch State Park is not only home to a well-preserved Civil War fort, it also features miles of hiking trails, biking, camp sites and guided nature walks. Both parks offer beautiful beaches and maritime forests.
LEAVE NO TRACE
Only your footprints should remain on the beach when you depart. Any belongings left unattended after sunset will be considered discarded and may be removed. This includes tents, tent poles (“spiders”), cabanas, coolers and any other personal effects.