Jacksonville & St. Augustine

Jacksonville & St. Augustine Region (Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, and Clay counties)

Duval County Conservation (Jacksonville, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, San Marco, Riverside)

Coastal and Marine Conservation

  • Cities Involved: Jacksonville, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach.

  • Key Efforts:

    • Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve (Jacksonville):

      • This preserve is a mix of salt marshes, mangroves, tidal rivers, and maritime forests. It protects critical ecosystems and provides public access for education and recreation.

      • Projects focus on habitat restoration, including marsh and tidal creek restoration, and invasive species management.

    • Jacksonville Beach Restoration:

      • Beach renourishment projects are regularly conducted to restore eroded beaches, improving coastal resilience to storms and enhancing habitat for marine species.

    • Coastal Dune Lakes (Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville Beach):

      • The restoration of coastal dune lakes, which are vital for water filtration and biodiversity, particularly migratory birds, is an ongoing project in Duval County.

Urban Wetland and River Conservation

  • Cities Involved: Jacksonville, Riverside, San Marco.

  • Key Projects:

    • St. Johns River Restoration:

      • The St. Johns River, which flows through Jacksonville, is a key focus for water quality improvement and habitat restoration. Efforts include reducing nutrient pollution, restoring wetlands, and improving fish habitats.

    • Urban Wetland Protection (Riverside, San Marco):

      • Programs protect and restore urban wetlands, which serve as critical wildlife habitats and natural filtration systems in Jacksonville’s urban areas.

St. Johns County Conservation (St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, Palm Coast, Elkton)

Coastal and Marine Conservation

  • Cities Involved: St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, Palm Coast.

  • Key Efforts:

    • Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR):

      • This estuarine reserve is one of the largest on Florida’s east coast, encompassing salt marshes, tidal flats, and coastal dunes. The reserve focuses on habitat restoration, water quality improvement, and coastal ecosystem monitoring.

      • The reserve also supports research on the protection of endangered species like the West Indian Manatee and sea turtles.

    • Ponte Vedra Beach Coastal Protection:

      • Regular beach renourishment and dune restoration projects are aimed at maintaining beach stability and protecting important habitats for coastal birds and sea turtles.

Land and Wildlife Conservation

  • Cities Involved: St. Augustine, Palm Coast.

  • Key Areas and Species Protection:

    • Fort Matanzas National Monument:

      • The site protects coastal habitats and provides habitat for native wildlife. Conservation efforts here include preserving salt marshes and upland habitats that support species like the Florida scrub-jay.

    • Endangered Species Conservation (Ponte Vedra Beach):

      • Efforts to protect nesting sites for sea turtles and shorebirds, such as the least tern and black skimmer, are ongoing along the beaches of St. Johns County.

      • Nocatee Preserve (Ponte Vedra Beach): A natural preserve providing critical habitat for local wildlife.

Nassau County Conservation (Fernandina Beach, Yulee, Callahan, Hilliard)

Coastal and Wetland Conservation

  • Cities Involved: Fernandina Beach, Yulee, Callahan.

  • Key Efforts:

    • Amelia Island State Park (Fernandina Beach):

      • This park offers protection to beaches, salt marshes, and upland habitats. It is an important area for sea turtle nesting and bird migration.

      • Beach restoration and dune preservation projects are vital for maintaining the health of these coastal ecosystems.

    • Timber Creek Conservation Area (Yulee):

      • This area is protected to conserve wetland ecosystems that filter water and provide important habitat for wildlife.

      • Restoration projects have focused on managing invasive plant species and improving water flow in the surrounding ecosystems.

Wildlife and Forest Conservation

  • Cities Involved: Fernandina Beach, Yulee.

  • Key Projects:

    • Gopher Tortoise and Longleaf Pine Restoration:

      • Efforts focus on protecting habitats for the gopher tortoise and restoring longleaf pine forests, which are critically important to local wildlife.

      • The Nassau County Forest Conservation Program is actively restoring longleaf pine ecosystems and managing fire-prone habitats to maintain biodiversity.

    • Egans Creek Greenway (Fernandina Beach):

      • This greenway conserves a riparian corridor, providing habitats for various bird species, including the red-shouldered hawk, and contributing to water quality improvements in nearby wetlands.

Clay County Conservation (Green Cove Springs, Orange Park, Middleburg)

River and Watershed Conservation

  • Cities Involved: Green Cove Springs, Orange Park, Middleburg.

  • Key Efforts:

    • St. Johns River Watershed Protection:

      • Clay County is part of the St. Johns River watershed, and water quality improvement projects focus on reducing nutrient pollution, restoring riparian buffers, and protecting wetlands along the river’s banks.

    • Black Creek and Crescent Lake Restoration:

      • Restoration projects focus on improving water quality and habitat restoration along Black Creek and Crescent Lake, two important freshwater bodies in the county.

Wildlife and Forest Conservation

  • Cities Involved: Green Cove Springs, Middleburg.

  • Key Projects:

    • Osceola National Forest:

      • Efforts are underway to protect and restore the habitats of the Florida black bear and other native species in Osceola National Forest.

      • Restoration work also focuses on the preservation of wetland ecosystems and the re-establishment of fire-dependent species like the longleaf pine.

    • Eagle Harbor and the St. Johns River (Orange Park):

      • Conservation efforts focus on preserving riparian habitats along the St. Johns River and enhancing fish and wildlife populations in these areas.

Regional Collaboration and Education

Collaborative Conservation Efforts

  • Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council:

    • This regional body coordinates conservation initiatives across Duval, St. Johns, Nassau, and Clay counties, focusing on land protection, sustainable development, and habitat restoration.

    • Projects often focus on preserving wildlife corridors, wetlands, and upland habitats that support species like the Florida black bear and gopher tortoise.

Environmental Education Programs

  • Cities Involved: Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Fernandina Beach.

  • Key Institutions:

    • The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens: Offers programs focused on wildlife conservation, native plant restoration, and educating the public on sustainable practices.

    • The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum: Offers educational programs about marine life, historical conservation, and lighthouse preservation efforts.

    • Amelia Island Conservation and Education Programs (Fernandina Beach): Provides educational opportunities related to coastal ecosystems, marine conservation, and protecting endangered species like sea turtles.

Challenges and Future Goals

Urban Growth and Habitat Loss

  • Managing growth and development in rapidly urbanizing areas like Jacksonville, Orange Park, and St. Augustine, while ensuring the preservation of critical habitats such as wetlands, upland forests, and river systems.

Water Quality and Stormwater Management

  • Addressing pollution from urban runoff, wastewater, and nutrient loading into the St. Johns River and other local waterways, with a focus on improving stormwater infrastructure and creating green spaces for filtration.

Invasive Species and Ecosystem Management

  • Controlling invasive plant species, such as Brazilian pepper, and animal species like feral hogs, which threaten local biodiversity.