April 2025 Luncheon: Mary Duffy, Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch

Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch

April 17 MNC Luncheon Presentation

     Mary Duffy, president of the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch, will discuss sea turtles that nest on the island and what the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch does to protect this endangered species at the Men’s Newcomers Club luncheon Thursday, April 17, 11:30 a.m., at the Fernandina Beach Golf Club on Bill Melton Road.

     For a quarter of a century, Ms. Duffy has championed this conservation effort, reporting important nesting data and success rates to state authorities. She has also helped educate the public and oceanfront property owners about what can be done at the beach to better ensure detriments to turtle activity can be minimized.

     Mary moved to Amelia Island in 1983 and pursued her career in education with the Nassau County School District. She retired as a district administrator in 2013. She began the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch in 1985 to help protect a part of Amelia Island's natural heritage.
     The organization is made up of 17 permitted volunteers and about 100 regular volunteers. Behind the scenes work is necessary all year, but their visibility and field work take place from May through October when sea turtle nests are identified, marked off and monitored for weeks before the eventual hatching of turtles.

     There will be a social half-hour beginning at 11:30 a.m.  At noon there will be a buffet lunch.  Our luncheons are open to members who may also register one male guest, and to non-member males who are considering joining the club.

     To register for the meeting, click on the register box below. The Club has a capacity of 120 for lunch.  Once registrations have reached that limit, a waiting list will be maintained.

     Cost to attend the golf club luncheon is $23 which can be paid by credit card when registering (click “Pay online”), or by clicking on “Invoice me” and sending a check to MNC PO Box 16291, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035 to arrive by April 12. Registrations not paid by then will be cancelled to make room for waitlisted members.