ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — St. Johns County is using feedback from more than 1,000 survey respondents to guide the renewal of its Habitat Conservation Plan.
The plan balances the protection of federally listed endangered species, such as nesting sea turtles and native beach mice, with public recreational access to local beaches.
The county’s initial 20-year Habitat Conservation Plan and associated Incidental Take Permit were approved in August 2006 and are due for renewal this year. Local officials are coordinating with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to develop the updated plan.
Ashley Raybould serves as the St. Johns County environmental supervisor. “The goal of our HCP is to maintain our beautiful beaches as habitat for wildlife while also allowing them to be utilized by our residents and visitors,” Raybould said.
Survey results from January 2026 showed widespread community approval for current conservation measures. Response data indicated 94% support for increasing public education and wildlife signage, 91% support for nighttime beach driving restrictions during marine turtle nesting season, 91% support for maintaining dune conservation zones free of encroachment, 90% support for enforcing the coastal lighting ordinance, and 85% support for restrictions on beach equipment left overnight.
In addition to expressing support for current measures, respondents submitted more than 80 comments focused on potential program improvements, specifically requesting stronger enforcement of existing conservation rules and increased access to off-beach public parking.
Raybould noted that public participation directly informs decision-making as county staff move through the renewal effort. “The survey is helping us evaluate our priorities as we move through the renewal process,” Raybould said. “Importantly, it gives the community a voice in determining how we can continue to protect our natural resources while maintaining the public access that people value.”
Under the conservation plan, county staff carry out specific operational procedures to safeguard coastal ecosystems while managing beach traffic.
These efforts include enforcing coastal lighting ordinances through home inspections and six-night-per-week surveys during nesting season, removing tire ruts near nests approaching hatching dates, closing beach gates nightly, and maintaining dune conservation zones to protect stabilizing vegetation.
The plan also regulates beach driving for commercial fishermen, horseback riders and authorized coastal construction projects while supporting state agencies with marine wildlife stranding responses and population monitoring.
County staff will use the survey feedback as they work alongside the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to evaluate potential updates and draft the next Habitat Conservation Plan.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
