- Sea Marsh Pond — Amelia Island's Natural Environment

Past, Present & Future

Since its foundation half a century ago, AIPCA has managed all property owner’s common resources (both natural and infrastructure) through one committee, the Common Properties Committee (CPC). Despite short periods of focus on the environmental asset value of AIP, for the most part CPC focused on infrastructure. Little to no focus occurred on establishing benchmark metrics or sustainability tracking efforts relating to our unique and invaluable maritime canopy. Over time, the continued subtraction from the canopy without a targeted refurbishment plan led to a general opinion that AIP’s unique environment looked depleted and worn out.

In 2022 the AIPCA Board terminated the old CPC and formed a Working Group on the Environment. Its purpose was to begin establishing benchmark metrics and creating processes to effectively manage our valuable natural asset. This led to the creation of the Environmental Resources Committee in 2023 (name appropriately changed to Environmental Asset Committee in 2025).

In 2023 the AIPCA Board also formed a new Common Properties Committee and tasked both committees to define their individual mandates as well as identify areas of overlap.

Over the next two years both committees consulted with a variety of professional contractors to assess all aspects of AIP environment and infrastructure: Taylor Clem (UF/IFAS), Christy Swann (RCOAST), Al Browder (Foth/Olsen Infrastructure & Environment), Oneida LG2 Environmental Solutions, Aquatic Environmental Services, Robert Randall (internationally recognized ornithologist), and Jake Bolden (GAGE Tree Care).

As a result of these consultations, during 2023/2024 EAC/CPC set up:

- Lidar scans of the highest quality of all AIP territory in 2024 and 2025

- GIS mapping and documentation of natural and structural assets

- the hire of a director of Environmental Assets.

In spring 2025 the newly organized AIPCA Strategic Planning Committee tasked EAC and CPC to conduct a complete asset study defined according to: urgent refurbishment, maintenance, enhancement, and to assign value to each asset. In accordance with AIPCA Finance Committee, a revised budget to properly maintain, recover and enhance the environment was developed and approved by the Board in November 2025.

Aligned with the Strategic Plan the objective of our long-term plan is to fully restore and enhance the health and beauty of AIP’s natural environment over the next five years.