Sandburg Event at Main Beach emphasizes the awareness of turtles

By Dickie Anderson

Keep Nassau Beautiful and local doctoral students, Rhin Jones, recently an event at Main Beach on April 26, “The Last Castle on the Beach”. Small crowds gathered to observe the international artists Andy Gertler from the TV show of the Sandmaster, Sue Beatrice of Sand Skulpta, and the local sculptor Jenn Cook create a sand sculpture with “Turtle Conservation” to the Main Beach Volleyball Courts. Several groups shared educational materials at the event, including Island Art Association, Amelia Island Sea Turtle WacheAnd the Museum of Science & History (Mosh). The grand finale of the day after the picture was the amount of “Smash Down”, which lay down the sculpture and added the sand to the volleyball spaces.

The participants were reminded that sand castles, holes, water trenches and beach devices such as chairs and umbrellas can create dangerous obstacles to sea turtles that are looking for nesting sites. As soon as eggs hatch, these obstacles can fall for the little young animals that try to reach the water.

Jones organized the project as part of her Master's degree in biology about the Dragonfly project at Miami University. The program requirements include completing a Community Leadership Challenge. Their goal was to plan an event that uses art to concentrate on a maintenance problem. A brainstorming session learned the “last sand castle on the beach” and sand artist Sue Beatrice and Andy Gerter to come and form.

The project reflects Keep Nassau beautifulThe commitment to maintenance, sustainability and beautification efforts in Nassau County, Florida.