Friends of Fort Clinch (copy) Code of Ethics

Local Mills & FOFC recognized at O’Leno State Park

Bob Sell — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:04:40 GMT

O’Leno State Park

The Florida Park Service awarded the 2025 District 2 Community Partner of the Year to RYAM, Smurift Westrock, Lignotech for Mill Day at Fort Clinch State Park. This award acknowledges our local mills dedication supporting and advancing park improvements and environmental stewardship.

Friends of Fort Clinch was recognized by District 2 for “Best Project of the Year” for the Fort Clinch accessible playground. Dedication to contributing an inclusive space for children of all abilities.

Astronomy Night Registration Closed

Bob Sell — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 18:17:42 GMT

Due to the overwhelming response to Astronomy Night, we have reached our maximum capacity for the fort.

Thank you for your tremendous interest and for the many contributions supporting this event.

We are planning a Solar Viewing event later this year in partnership with the Northeast Florida Astronomical Society. Please keep an eye out for announcements about this upcoming program.

Park Service Honors Outstanding Community Partners

Bob Sell — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:46:17 GMT

The Florida Park Service – District 2 has recognized several outstanding community partners in Fernandina Beach for their exceptional support of Fort Clinch State Park. District leadership specifically will honor RYAM, Smurfit/WestRock, and Lignotech as exemplary community partners whose ongoing contributions make a meaningful impact on the park and its programs.

In addition, the newly completed accessible Fort Clinch Playground has been selected as the district’s Best Park Project.

The three community partners and the playground project will be formally recognized next month during a district ceremony. An Appreciation & Awards Luncheon will be held at O’Leno State Park.

Astronomy Night At Fort Clinch State Park

Bob Sell — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 23:49:17 GMT

Video Interview with Historian Frank Ofeldt

Bob Sell — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 22:20:51 GMT

I had the great opportunity to visit with Fort Clinch State Park Specialist and historian Frank Ofeldt. Frank has been with the FPS for 33 years. He has extensive knowledge of Fort Clinch, having written two books with a third book due out later in 2026.

FORT CLINCH BY CANDLELIGHT - 2025 MEMBER APPRECIATION RECEPTION

Bob Sell — Sat, 29 Nov 2025 13:09:22 GMT

As a benefit for being a member of the Friends of Fort Clinch, the Board of the Friends of Fort Clinch (FOFC) cordially invite you to a Candlelight Tour on Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Appetizers and beverages will be provided.

Civil War Reenactors will be in the Fort and will interpret how life was during the time it was used as a Civil War era fortification.

At 7:15 p.m. we will have a brief Annual Meeting to review accomplishments and expenditures for the year 2025. Meeting attendance is optional. A visual presentation will highlight this year’s accomplishments and expenditures, along with an overview of the board candidates and their backgrounds. During the meeting, members will have the opportunity to vote for candidates to serve a two-year term on the Friends of Fort Clinch Board.

There will be no park and fort entry fees for the evening. Please register by Thursday, December 4th, 2025.

Not a member, then become one. Join by Friday, November 29th and join us for this reception.

Beautiful New Playground!

Bob Sell — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 18:55:56 GMT

A brand-new, state-of-the-art accessible playground right here at Fort Clinch State Park! Check out the Video on YouTube!

Cannon Fire At The Car Show

Bob Sell — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 16:43:35 GMT

View Cannon Fire

2025 Cars & Cannons Slideshow Presentation

Bob Sell — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 19:00:43 GMT

View slideshow on YouTube

2025 Car Show Winner!

Bob Sell — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 14:48:15 GMT

A heartfelt thank you to our members, volunteers, and community partners for making this year’s Cars and Cannons Vintage Car Show such a great success! We welcomed 667 visitors to the Fort and received 485 People’s Choice ballots. The 2025 People’s Choice Award was presented to Art Cusick for his 1945 Army Jeep. Congratulations Art! We’ll be sharing a photo slideshow of the event next week, so stay tuned.

We also want to give special recognition to the park rangers and staff of Fort Clinch State Park, the Visitor Center team, Auto Legends Amelia, Laid Back Band, photographer David Beverly, and Pinay Island Kitchen for their incredible support.

Finally, we’re always looking for more Friends! Membership helps fund restoration projects, educational programming, special events, and the park’s renowned living history program. If you’d like to join us in preserving and enhancing this historic treasure, please visit our Membership Page!

Cars and Cannons Vintage Car Show

Bob Sell — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 17:25:26 GMT

As we prep for the 2025 Car Show, here a look at 2024:

Newsletter August 2025

Bob Sell — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 22:55:37 GMT

7th Annual Fort Clinch Vintage Car Show 2025

Bob Sell — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 20:56:21 GMT

The 7th Annual Cars & Cannons Vintage Car Show is set for September 20, 2025 thanks to the dedication of over two dozen hardworking volunteers from Auto Legends Amelia and the Friends of Fort Clinch!

To enter your car, 1995 or older, for the 2025 show
please register here!

Membership Info

Bob Sell — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 18:02:40 GMT

3rd Annual Family Fun - Mill Day

Bob Sell — Fri, 09 May 2025 13:43:05 GMT

We recently hosted our 3rd Annual Family Fun - Mill Day—a special event made possible through our partnership with three local mills: RYAM, Smurfit WestRock, and LignoTech Florida.

Alongside their employees and families, we spent the morning giving back to the park—taking on projects like painting, laying sod, spreading pine straw, road maintenance, and a beach cleanup. It was a true team effort!

FOFC is once again matching, dollar for dollar, all contributions from our mill partners. Last year, this collaboration generated around $20,000—and we’re hopeful to reach that milestone again this year. These funds help support important park projects that may not otherwise receive funding from the State of FL.

The park manager, rangers, and the entire Fort Clinch team are incredibly grateful for the tools, equipment, materials, and volunteer hours that make this event such a success.

Looking back, Fort Clinch became a state park in 1937—around the same time some of our local mills began construction. For over 88 years, Ft Clinch and the local mills have grown and served as vital pillars in the community.

It was truly special to come together, even just for a few hours, to give back. We had a great time, and we’re already looking forward Family Fun - Mill Day next year! Hope to see soon, at Fort Clinch!

Astronomy Night Recap

Bob Sell — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 19:24:35 GMT

On April 18, 2025, the stars aligned—literally and figuratively—for an unforgettable night of stargazing inside the historic walls of Fort Clinch. Hosted in partnership with the Northeast Florida Astronomical Society (NEFAS), our annual Astronomy Night once again drew a fantastic crowd. With 314 attendees—including Friends of Fort Clinch members and their guests—the event was our biggest yet!

In the spirit of giving, attendees also brought along 278 pounds of canned goods and non-perishable items for the Barnabas Food Bank. Thank you to everyone who donated!

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect—clear skies, a comfortable 72 degrees, and not a cloud in sight. Even better, the moon took the night off, giving everyone a beautifully dark sky ideal for spotting deep-space wonders. Mars shone bright in the sky, visible to the naked eye, and telescopes pointed toward Jupiter and its four Galilean moons were a major hit. One of the evening’s highlights was the Orion Nebula—often mistaken for a star in Orion’s “sword,” but actually a massive cloud of gas and dust where stars are born.

The crowd favorite? David Whatley’s laser-guided “Sky Tour,” which captured the imagination of both kids and adults. Dave shared constellation myths and stories, like how Orion met his end at the pincers of a scorpion, and how Zeus flung the bears—Ursa Major and Ursa Minor—into the heavens by their tails, stretching them into the familiar “dippers” we know today. The audience loved it, and the Q&A was full of curious and enthusiastic young astronomers in the making.

NEFAS volunteers were thrilled with the turnout, calling it their biggest and favorite event of the year. While Fort Clinch may be close to town, the thick walls of the fort help block out light pollution, making it a surprisingly great spot for viewing the night sky—especially looking east over the water.

A huge thank-you to everyone who came out and made the night such a success. We can’t wait to do it all again next year!

If you’d like to learn more about NEFAS, check them out at nefas.org. They also host monthly public astronomy events at Hanna Park in Jacksonville. And here’s a cool perk: NEFAS members can borrow loaner telescopes before investing in their own gear—perfect for beginners looking to explore the stars without breaking the bank.

Newsletter April 2025

Bob Sell — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 07:35:31 GMT

Astronomy Night April 18, 2025 8:00pm - 9:30pm

Bob Sell — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 01:04:22 GMT

Don’t miss this opportunity to view some of Orion Nebula, Jupiter and Mars, and some star clusters.

Hosted by Fort Clinch State Park and sponsored by Friends of Fort Clinch, their citizens support organization. The Northeast Florida Astronomical Society members are graciously providing their personal telescopes for our enjoyment. Admission is free but “a canned good” donation to the Barnabas food bank would be appreciated. Come out and join us. Tell all your friends

Park admission is waived for this event, thus proceed through the entry gate to the fort visitor center parking area. Enter through the courtyard and follow the lighted path to the fort. Please use only red, or low lumen lights within the viewing area.

This event is weather dependent and is subject to cancellation if we do not have clear skies! You can check on Facebook or call: (980)-406-0056 for an early evening advisory.

2025 Florida Roots Trail Race

Bob Sell — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 12:28:05 GMT

Local race directors, Zero Feet Above, recently donated $1500 of its proceeds from the 2025 Florida Roots Trail Race to Friends of Fort Clinch, while the race brought in another $700 in direct donations to the non-profit entity. This was the fifth year of the race, which has grown with each successive event, and more than 160 runners registered to run the trail system around the park. As the number of runners has grown, so has the cast of local sponsors from Yulee to Centre Street. First Port City Bank and Brightway Insurance have been consistent backers of the race, as have Mythic Running Co., SJ Brewing, and Anne Garrett Realty. Coastal Chiropractic, Mocama Coffee and The Salty Pelican also joined the ranks of sponsors in 2025.

Photo provided by Essential Media Productions

Cannon Fire at 2024 Car Show - Video

Bob Sell — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 20:29:13 GMT

2024 Cars and Cannons

Bob Sell — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 14:44:59 GMT

Congratulations to the People's Choice Winners!

Ryan Hoover won the car division with the1965 VW Pickup.
Stacey Schiffers rode off with the motorcycle trophy in his backpack for his 1947 Harley Davidson entry.
See full story with slide show!

Ryan Hoover with the1965 VW Pickup

Stacey Schiffers with the 1947 Harley Davidson

Thank you to all participants who came out
for the 2024 Cars and Cannons event!

Friends of Fort Clinch Second Annual Family Fun Mill Day Raises $20,000 for Park Restoration

Elizabeth Kiernan — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 12:23:26 GMT

Friends of Fort Clinch recently celebrated the Second Annual Family Fun Mill Day. The event recognized Earth Day and Arbor Day and was hosted in partnership with local companies RYAM, WestRock, and LignoTech.

This year the event raised $20,000 through donations of $10,000 from the three companies and a matching $10,000 from FOFC. Employees from the mills and their families spent the day enhancing the Beach Side area of Fort Clinch by adding native palm trees, removing invasive plants, cleaning the beach, installing fencing and interpretive panels.

"It's truly inspiring to have RYAM, LignoTech, and WestRock, come together with their families to contribute so meaningfully to our park,” said Heath Alboher, Park Manager for Fort Clinch State Park. “Their commitment not only supports the ongoing maintenance of Fort Clinch, it ensures that this treasured local landmark can be enjoyed by future generations." The RYAM and West Rock facilities were under construction in 1937 when Fort Clinch became a state park. We continue to share our appreciation for the island.

The day’s efforts focused on making substantial improvements to the park’s infrastructure and visitor experience, reflecting Friends of Fort Clinch’s dedication to preserving its natural beauty and historical significance. Additional improvements were made to the Birding Pavilion to enhance wildlife viewing opportunities. In total, the event produced more than 300 volunteer hours, adding to the value of the effort.

“Each year, Family Fun Mill Day grows in significance, embodying the spirit of Fort Clinch as a place where history comes alive,” said Logan Eason, President of Friends of Fort Clinch’s Board of Directors. “We are profoundly thankful for the generosity and hard work of RYAM, WestRock and LignoTech and look forward to growing this partnership in the years to come.”

For more information and photos from the event, or to learn more about the ongoing conservation efforts at Fort Clinch State Park, please visit FortClinch.org.

About Friends of Fort Clinch

The Friends of Fort Clinch, Inc. (FOFC) is a non-profit known as a Citizen Support Organization (CSO). Any and all money raised by FOFC goes directly to fund Fort Clinch State Park projects which would not be funded by the State of Florida. Through fundraising and grant acquisitions, the FOFC enables restoration projects at historic Fort Clinch, supports special events and educational programming, provides tools and equipment to assist park rangers, and expands and improves the park's renowned living history program. FOFC works closely with the local community and endeavors to be an integral part of Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach and Nassau County.

Florida Roots Trail Race Donation

Elizabeth Kiernan — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 20:39:27 GMT

Zero Feet Above recently donated $1500 of its proceeds from the 2024 Florida Roots Trail Race to Friends of Fort Clinch. Pictured are Matt Mueller of Zero Feet Above, Logan Eason, President of Friends of Fort Clinch, Daniel Larkin and Alex Johnston of Zero Feet Above.

The annual event was established in 2020 and consists of 50K, 30K, and 10K events utilizing the park’s many trails. Ever-increasing popularity of the event, led to its expansion this year to 150 entrants. Local sponsors included First Port City Bank and Brightway Insurance along with Nana Teresa’s Bake Shop which provided assorted baked goods for the runners.

2023 Cars & Cannons Vintage Car Show at Fort Clinch

Tom Linley — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 20:40:42 GMT

Cars and Cannons Vintage Car Show is a unique, once-a-year, opportunity to see more than sixty vintage and classic cars inside historic Fort Clinch. It is Saturday, September 23, 2023, 9 am – 2 pm. The public is invited to view these cars inside the walls of this unique 19th-century coastal fort setting. Visiting Fort Clinch State Park is special anytime, but the day of the Cars and Cannons Vintage Car Show is a bonus. Attendees will vote for a “People’s Choice Award” among the cars on display.

The regular park entry fee of $6 per vehicle (2 to 8 people) or $4 per single-occupant vehicle is required along with $2.50 per person for fort admission. The Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset, while the fort is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Do you own a vintage car, 1998 or older, and have an interest in showing your car at this unique 19th-century coastal fort setting? More information and registration.

Registration is $50 and all cars must be pre-registered by September 17. This is a cruise-in event and owners are responsible for driving their cars to the park and into the fort. Registered participants receive a one-year membership with the Friends of Fort Clinch which includes 12 free park visits for the year.

This classic vintage car show event benefits the Friends of Fort Clinch. The Friends exist to support the preservation of Florida's natural and cultural resources while providing outstanding recreational and educational opportunities to the public in Fort Clinch State Park. Through fundraising 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.

RYAM and WestRock Partner with Friends of Fort Clinch for Family Fun Mill Day

Tom Linley — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 00:37:05 GMT

Friends of Fort Clinch (FOFC), a nonprofit Citizen Support Organization dedicated to supporting the Florida Parks’ mission of providing resource based recreation while preserving, interpreting, and restoring the natural and cultural resources of Fort Clinch State Park, on Saturday, April 22, teamed up with two of Nassau County’s largest employers, RYAM and WestRock, for a Family Fun Mill Day.

Employees and families from all three organizations spent the day at Fort Clinch participating in service projects, as well as nature activities and historical tours. The event raised over $28,000 to support the park, with RYAM and WestRock donating funds for beautification and improvements, matched by FOFC.

“This was a fantastic opportunity for employees and families from the two mills to come together and support the preservation of Fort Clinch State Park, ” said Stewart Pikula, President of FOFC’s Board of Directors. “We’re grateful to RYAM and WestRock for their generous donations and hard work in making this event a success. Park Manager, Heath Alboher had the original idea to bring the groups together 3 years ago, but Covid delayed having the work day. Looking back, Fort Clinch became a state park in 1937, just as both mills were beginning construction of their facilities. Over the last 86 years, all three have flourished and contributed significantly to our community. It was time to bring the three of us together. We all had a great time and look forward to making this an annual event.”

The service project included installing new fencing, landscaping improvements near the Museum and Visitor Center, replacing ground cover, a beach clean-up, maintenance tasks inside the fort including laying sod, painting and restoring period-authentic furnishings, and installation of new ADA-approved playground equipment.

Both mills are committed to supporting Florida’s natural spaces and heritage sites. RYAM is a leading global supplier of renewable and environmentally-friendly alternatives to plastics and fossil fuel-based products. WestRock is a leader in sustainable, fiber-based packaging solutions.

“Fort Clinch State Park holds important environmental conservation and historical value for Fernandina Beach and we are pleased to have partnered with Friends of Fort Clinch and WestRock to support preservation efforts for the fort and park,” said Mark Homans, Plant Manager at RYAM’s Fernandina Beach location. “When people are excited and willing to improve the park in a hands-on way, it really demonstrates the power of our community.”

Dan Rowland, General Manager of West Rock, added “our ~600 local employees live, work, volunteer, and play in our community. Mill Day is a great way for WestRock to support the community and have fun doing it”.

Fort Clinch enhances the lives of 400,000 visitors annually. To become a member or learn more about Friends of Fort Clinch’s ongoing conservation and support efforts, visit their website, FortClinch.org.

About Friends of Fort Clinch