Nature Fest returns

The Wild Amelia Nature Festival is back, kicking off this weekend with a sunset river cruise and leading into animal exhibits, activities for the kids, nature walks and more.

The Nature Festival is run by Wild Amelia, a program from Keep Nassau Beautiful. The annual festival is a staple for nature lovers in the community, and this year’s Eco-Expo will take place Saturday May 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Atlantic Rec Center. With live music, live animals, food trucks, 30 booths and a silent auction featuring the work of local artists, organizers promise there will be something for everyone. Outside of the Eco-Expo, local businesses have arranged eco-tours for participants to engage in, from kayaking to beach cleanups, stretching all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

A full schedule of activities is available at www.keepnassaubeautiful.org.

The auction benefitting Wild Amelia’s education programs is live now, with links to the site available via Wild Amelia’s Facebook page and website. Up for auction now is Steve Leimburg’s photograph of a Red-Shouldered Hawk. Other items include a mosaic table of a loggerhead sea turtle by local artist Cathy Brandt. The loggerhead is Wild Amelia’s 2023 Critter of the Year.

“We want to educate and introduce people to our amazing island,” Keep Nassau Beautiful Executive Director Lynda Bell said. “Our local businesses (partner with us) to do that, and that’s what the weekend is about, to get people out in our beautiful ecosystem and help them enjoy it.”

Friday, May 19

• Yoga on the Beach, hosted by Centred on Yoga
  • Dolphin St. Beach Access, 8 a.m.
  • Free
  • Register online at www.keepnassaubeautiful.com or call 904-323-2530
• Birding Walk to Crane Island, hosted by Amelia Island Bird Club
  • Bailey Road Soccer Fields, 8:30 a.m.
  • Free
  • No registration required
• Native Plant Walk on the Greenway with Betsy Harris
  • Free
  • 9-11 a.m.
  • Register by emailing betsyaharris@gmail.com
• Follow that Dream Sailing
  • 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • $125 per person
  • Register online at www.followthatdreamsailing.com or call 904-468-3758
• Pedego Electric Bike Tour to Big Talbot Island
  • 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • $75 per person
  • Call 904-310-6658 to register
• Cumberland Island Boat Tour
  • 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • $26-$32
  • Register online at www.ameliarivercruises.com or call 904-261-9972
• Beach Creek Boat Tour
  • 2:30-4 p.m.
  • $22-$28
  • Register online at www.ameliarivercruises.com or call 904-261-9972
• Meditation Paddle with Kayak Amelia
  • 6:30-8:30 p.m.
  • $70 per person
  • Register online at www.kayakamelia.com
• Sunset Nature Cruise, a Wild Amelia fundraiser
  • 6-8 p.m.
  • $50 for the public, $35 for Wild Amelia members
  • Register online at www.ameliarivercruises.com
• Night Glow Kayak Tour, hosted by Paddle Jax Amelia
  • Lofton Creek, 7-9 p.m.
  • $65 single or $130 tandem
  • Register online at www.paddlejaxamelia.com

Saturday, May 20

• SUP Introduction, Kayak Amelia
  • 9-10 a.m.
  • $30 per person
  • Register online at www.kayakamelia.com
• Birds, Butterflies and Blooms with Christina Nelson
  • 9-10:30 a.m.
  • $20 for ages 13 and up, $10 for ages 6 through 12, $5 for children under 5
  • Register by calling 904-310-3350
• Downtown to Dunes Litter Collection and Volunteer Celebration, hosted by Keep Nassau Beautiful
  • 9-11 a.m.
  • Free
  • Register at www.keepnassaubeautiful.com
• Guided Paddle, hosted by Paddle Jax Amelia
  • Lofton Creek
  • 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • $60 single, $120 tandem
  • Register online at www.paddlejaxamelia.com
• Follow That Dream Sailing
  • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • $125 per person
  • Register online at www.followthatdreamsailing.com or call 904-468-3758
• A Walk in a Maritime Forest with Sherri Hair
  • Ft. Clinch State Park
  • 10:30 a.m.
  • Entrance fee for park
  • Register online at www.keepnassaubeautiful.com
• Marsh Music Concert, hosted by Kayak Amelia
  • 6-9 p.m.
  • $25 per person
  • Register online at www.kayakamelia.com
• Adult Twilight BYOB Cruise, hosted by Amelia River Cruises
  • 6:30-8:30 p.m.
  • $42 per person
  • Register online at www.ameliarivercruises.com or call 904-261-9972
• Family Friendly Sunset Boat Tour, hosted by Amelia River Cruises
  • 7-8 p.m.
  • $18-$24
  • Register online at www.ameliarivercruises.com or call 904-261-9972
• Night Nature Walk on the Greenway with Christina Nelson
  • 8-9 p.m.
  • $20 for ages 13 and up, $10 for ages 6 through 12, $5 for children under 5
  • Call 904-310-3350 to register

Sunday, May 21

• Yoga on the Beach
  • 8 a.m.
  • Free
  • No registration required
• Nature Walk on the Greenway with Kathy Mason and Mark Tomes
  • 9-11 a.m.
  • Free
  • Register online at www.keepnassaubeautiful.com
• SUP Yoga, hosted by Kayak Amelia
  • 9-10:30 a.m.
  • $30 per person
  • Register online at www.kayakamelia.com
• Guided Paddle on Lofton Creek, hosted by Paddle Jax Amelia
  • 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • $60 single or $120 tandem
  • Register online at www.paddlejaxamelia.com
• Eco Tour, hosted by Kayak Amelia
  • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • $70 per person
  • Register online at www.kayakamelia.com
• A Walk in a Maritime Forest with Sherri Hair
  • Ft. Clinch State Park
  • 10:30 a.m.
  • Entrance fee to the park
  • Register online at www.keepnassaubeautiful.com
• Follow That Dream Sailing
  • 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • $125 per person

Register online at www.followthatdreamsailing.com or call 904-468-3758