Headlines

This page features news coverage, press releases, and media stories highlighting Beach Junki’s work in sea turtle conservation, marine debris education, and community engagement. The content shared here reflects our mission, partnerships, and ongoing efforts to protect coastal ecosystems and promote environmental stewardship throughout our community.

Earth Day Turtle Fest has great turnout

Beach Junki’s first Earth Day Sea Turtle Festival marked a meaningful milestone for our organization and our community. What began as a small vision quickly grew into a successful, family-friendly event that brought together local businesses, conservation partners, artists, musicians, and volunteers in support of sea turtle protection and clean beaches. The festival welcomed the public with education, art, live music, and hands-on activities, demonstrating the power of community collaboration and setting the foundation for an annual event dedicated to conservation, awareness, and action.

Read more Fernandina Newsleader Here 

Fort Clinch volunteer makes a clinching discovery

One September morning in 2016, Amy was doing what she does best—cleaning the beach—when she came across an unexpected find: a denture plate washed up in the sand. Inside was a name, and she couldn’t help but wonder if she could track down its owner. After a quick search on social media, Amy was able to reunite the dentures with their very grateful owner. A few days later, she received a message that made her laugh: “I’m thinking of you while I crack these crab legs with my teeth.”

Read more in the Fernandina Observer

Another denture plate found

Amazingly, on June 15, 2018, Amy found another denture plate washed up on the beach. Once again, she turned to social media—and this time, the owner’s granddaughter spotted the post and reached out. When Amy met him to return the denture, he shared that he had actually lost both his top and bottom plates. At this point, if Amy finds a third denture on the beach, it might just make world news.

Read more in the Fernandina Observer

Washed Up

 The first magazine to publish a story about Beach Junki is Folio Weekly 2.0.  The October 2020 issue,  written by Isa Barrientos,  tells the story of Washed Up and how Beach Junki  was founded. 

 Behind the cover

Here is a quote from John Aloszka, the creative director of Folio 2.0 magazine:

“For October, Folio bucked the usual spooky cover in favor of something even scarier: the harsh realities of climate change, over consumption and American excess.  Amy, the first singular person to grace the cover of Folio 2.0, spends her days cleaning up, and then taking home, your trash. Our over consumption has now consumed her life.  Let’s all do our part to make her life a little easier:

                 “Clean up after yourself. “

You may know, but did you know?

Amelia Islander Magazine published the story written by Mandy Haynes  in their February 2021 issue on how Beach Junki was established as a 501(c)3 nonprofit. 

Amelia, the Triumphant Trash Turtle

Amelia Sea Turtle’s story was published in the May 5, 2021 edition of the News-Leader. Marla Mcdaniels writes the story on how the dream to create Amelia Sea Turtle became a reality.

What began as a simple Earth Day beach cleanup in 2023 became the spark for something much bigger. Our event, held to welcome nesting sea turtles, drew an incredible response from the community, with more than 50 volunteers signing up to help clean the beach and learn about sea turtle nesting season. The impact was so meaningful that it inspired us to create the Sea Turtle Festival—an event that has since grown into an annual celebration of conservation, education, and community.  

Pat's Wildways

“Amy Beach is another conservationist who is making a mark on Amelia Island. She spends hours patrolling our beaches collecting discarded items that she makes into conservation displays. She has initiated a toy drop-off box where people can recycle and reuse discarded beach toys, and this day was staffing her Beach Junki booth and helping kids with coloring projects. Another amazing person.”

Read more in the Fernandina Observer

Beyond the Sea Turtles

A local non-profit organization’s reformative vision for cleaner beaches and wildlife protection.

Written by Marisa DeMar

This story explores why Beach Junki is so committed to education and awareness. From the dangers of everyday plastic to the hidden crisis of microplastics, each fact shared and each person reached creates a ripple effect. Together, those ripples become real change — cleaner beaches, healthier oceans, and a more informed community ready to safeguard the natural world.

Read the story here 

Chamber member since 2023