Jacksonville, Fla., Sept. 10, 2024 – North Florida Land Trust invites the community to the unveiling of new interpretative signs at Little NaNa Dune in historic American Beach in Nassau County. The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 13., with the debut of the signs followed by a reception at the American Beach Community Center that will include remarks from NFLT President and CEO Allison DeFoor, as well as NFLT Board Member and longtime American Beach Advocate Pastor Carlton Jones. Little NaNa Dune is part of a dune system that includes NaNa Dune, the tallest dune in Florida. NFLT acquired the 1.55 acres of Little NaNa Dune in January 2021 to protect it from impending development.
Three interpretative signs will be installed near Little NaNa Dune. One will tell the story of American Beach, founded in 1935 to give African Americans access to a beach during segregation. A second panel will explain the importance of saving this dune system and how it is essential for wildlife survival. The third panel will feature NFLT and its role in preserving Little NaNa Dune and the donors who helped make it possible.
NFLT purchased three parcels that made up Little NaNa Dune in 2021 to protect the area's natural integrity and essential ecosystems. The nonprofit land conservation organization received community donations through its Amelia Forever Campaign, which focuses on preservation on Amelia Island in Nassau County. Established in 2019, the Amelia Forever Committee comprises Amelia Island residents who assist in providing strategic direction on conservation efforts.
American Beach is at the south end of Amelia Island, along A1A between Jacksonville and Fernandina Beach. The Little NaNa Dune system provides habitat for wildlife, including gopher tortoises and migrating birds. The 1.55 acres that were protected are adjacent to the larger 8.5-acre NaNa Dune, which became part of the National Park Service's Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve in 2004. In 2002, the original American Beach property was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The American Beach Museum opened in 2014 at 1600 Julia St, American Beach, FL, 32034.
About North Florida Land Trust
North Florida Land Trust is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the quality of life by protecting North Florida's irreplaceable natural environment. Founded in 1999, NFLT has preserved tens of thousands of acres of land through the donation or purchase of land as well as conservation easements. NFLT is funded largely by private and corporate contributions and works closely with willing landowners and public agencies at all levels of government, not-for-profit partners, and foundations. For more information, visit nflt.org.