BEACH JUNKI

About

Beach Junki's Mission and Accomplishments: 

Beach Junki is dedicated to promoting clean oceans and the conservation of sea turtles through community-driven efforts and impactful events. Over the past year, our organization has made significant contributions to the community, including organizing beach cleanups that removed over 1,000 pounds of washed-up debris, hosting educational events to raise awareness about sea turtle conservation, and recently working with FWC to assist with stranded sea turtles. Thanks to a recently awarded grant, we now have a transport van that enables us to better assist with beach cleanups and sea turtle strandings.

Our annual Sea Turtle Fest is where we proudly educate children and families about marine conservation through interactive activities like our pretend sea turtle hospital, where kids can learn about the rescue and care of sea turtles in a fun and engaging way. Through these initiatives, Beach Junki inspires action, fosters environmental stewardship, and unites the community to protect our coastal ecosystems for future generations.

🌊 Additional Highlights:

• The Washed Up Project transforms marine debris and discarded beach items into meaningful works of art that inspire conversations about ocean conservation. Through creativity and education, this initiative helps raise awareness about the impact of pollution on our beaches and marine life.

  As part of the project, we have introduced Beach Toy Borrow Boxes, providing a fun and sustainable way for families to borrow and share beach toys while reducing waste and encouraging reuse. Thanks to the support of the Huber Family and Huber Helps, our newest Washed Up Project Sandy the Sea Turtle & Beach Toy Borrow Box was recently installed at The Sandbar, where it is stocked and ready for families to enjoy during their beach visits.

  We have also created Beach Clean-Up Buckets using recycled kitty litter containers, giving visitors an easy way to help remove litter from our beaches and become active stewards of our coastline. Together, these programs encourage small actions that make a big impact for cleaner beaches and healthier oceans.

  We are especially grateful for our recent partnership with the Huber Family and Huber Helps. Beach Junki was honored to participate in HUBERpalooza and the Huber Highlights Event at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, where we shared Scout the Traveling Sea Turtle, our Pretend Sea Turtle Hospital, and our ocean conservation mission with children and families. Their generous donation and support are helping us expand the Washed Up Project, create additional educational installations, and inspire the next generation of ocean stewards. We are truly thankful for their belief in our mission and their commitment to protecting our beaches, oceans, and sea turtles.

 In 2022 we received a grant from the Sea Turtle Grants Program for our Sea Turtle Education Sign Project. You can look for our sea turtle awareness signs at 48 different public beach accesses in the city of Fernandina Beach.   

In 2024 we received a grant from Surfing Evolution and Preservation Society for the purchase of a transit van to carry supplies for beach clean ups.

In 2025, we were proud to receive a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to transport live sea turtles to authorized rescue and rehabilitation hospitals. Since receiving this permit, we have safely transported five sea turtles to professional care, strengthening our hands-on role in sea turtle protection and conservation.