The Friends of Fort Clinch State Park's mission is the preserving of natural & cultural resources, and providing recreational & educational opportunities.
Through fund raising and grant acquisitions, the Friends enable restoration projects at historic Fort Clinch, support special events and educational programming, provide tools and equipment to assist park rangers, and expand and improve the park's renowned living history program. The Friends of Fort Clinch work closely with the local community and proudly endeavor to be an integral part of Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach and Nassau County.
Fort Clinch State Park preserves, protects and showcases natural and historical resources. Covering more than 1200 acres on Amelia Island, Fort Clinch State Park is one of Florida's first and finest state parks. With both river and ocean beach fronts there is over 2 miles of Atlantic coastline for swimming, fishing, shelling, sunbthing, and excellent bird watching. There is picnicking, campgrounds, youth camping facitities, the longest fishing pier on Florida's east Coast, off-road biking, Geo-seeking, hiking and Nature trails, as well as a living history interpretation at historic Fort Clinch.
The natural communities in the park include maritime hammock, ancient dunes, extensive salt marshes, coastal grasslands, fresh water ponds, and miles of beautiful beaches. Alligtors, deer, bobcats, many small animals and a varied bird population live in the park. This is Florida as it originally was, in its natural state.
Construction on historic Fort Clinch started in 1847 by the federal government and continued during the Civil War. occupied by Confederate forces when the war begain in 1861, it was taken by federal troops one year later, following a withdrawal order by General Robert E. Lee.
The garrison operation was greatly reduced in the years folloing the Civil War and eventually ceased altogether. In 1898, the fort was reactivated for several months during the Spanish-American War.
Today, Fort Clinch remains in a remarkable state of preservation. A museum details its history and each day volunteers join park rangers in bringing the fort to life through first-person interpretation.
As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, all contributions are deductible as permitted by the Internal Revenue Service.
The friends of Fort Clinch State Park exists to support the preserving of Florida's natural and cultural resources while providing outstanding recreational and educational opportunities to the public at Fort Clinch State Park. The Group's Facebook Page is to enhance the membership enrollment and explain what the group does and how you can become involved. It also will announce events sponsored by the organization so that you can be informed of opportunities available to you to enjoy.
The page is to provide current information to the public of events and opportunities for service to Fort Clinch State Park. It is also to explain the importance this group plays in the ongoing preservation of the fort and the activities offered there but which is not provided by the State of Florida, and why your membership means a lot in allowing these goals to be reached.
