2025 Events
Fernandina Beach Public Library Presentation
Thursday, January 16, 2025
6:00 pm
Fernandina Beach Branch Library. 25 N. 4th Street. Fernandina Beach, FL
Discover right whale mothers and the calves that visit our waters. Learn why they come and why they’re endangered. We’ll also discuss reasons for hope and how you can help ensure their survival. The presentation will be led by Theresa Hartz of the Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors.
There is no cost to participate, however, you are requested to RSVP. RSVP here, space is limited
North Atlantic Right Whale Mosaic Art
Saturday, January 25, 2025
10:00 am
Main Beach Park, Fernandina Beach, FL
Join us as we create a life-size North Atlantic right whale mosaic art installation, curated by Laurie Holton, a local artist and shell collector, using oyster shells! Let’s come together to raise awareness and celebrate the beauty of the calving season. Please collect grey oyster shells on our local beaches from now until event day… then bring them on January 25th to enjoy a fun day by the ocean with like-minded individuals of all ages. (Please keep in mind we cannot accept any freshly shucked shells due to the sharp edges.). Let’s make a positive impact on our environment and showcase our creativity as we work together to protect our whales. See you there! No RSVP is needed.
“Change the Story” Annual Meeting
Saturday, February 8, 2025
1:30 -3:30 pm
Story & Song Bookstore Bistro 1430 Park Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Explore ways to help right whales, get an update about the right whales and calves this season, share exciting plans for 2025, and discover opportunities for you to help!
Wild Night Presentation: Right Whale Season Update and Documentary
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
6:00 – 7:30 pm
Fernandina Beach Golf Club, 2750 Bill Melton Rd Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Calving Season Highlights Presentation and showing the movie, “Right Over the Edge”
Amelia Island is at the heart of the calving grounds of the North Atlantic right whale, from mid-November to mid-April. This Wild Nite will begin with the documentary “Right Over the Edge” which shows one team’s search for the North Pacific right whale. The historical footage reflects its shared past with our North Atlantic right whale, while the team’s search provides a chilling look at the future for our North Atlantic right whales if they are not protected.
The documentary is provided courtesy of the Right Whale Festival – www.rightwhalefestival.com
Richard Timm is the event’s featured speaker. Richard will balance the movie’s message with an update on teh 2024-2025 calving season and other reasons for hope. Richard is a founding member of the Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors and has been teaching about North Atlantic right whales since the organization formed in 2021.
Light snacks and cash bar available.
Please register: Facebook link
Right Whale Baby Shower
AIWA Presents Our Most Joyous Event of the Year!!!
The Right Whale Baby Shower
In conjunction with this special event
AIWA is holding an Original Artwork Raffle
Below is more information on the Exquisite Artwork being raffled.
Raffle tickets are $10 each (or 6 for $50) and can be purchased at the Baby Shower event or on sale at the downtown boutique “Color it Green” – 301 Center St. FB, beginning March 26
Please Join Us
Celebrating our Newborn Whales
Thursday April 10th, 5-7pm
Florida House Inn – 22 S. 3rd St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Raffle Drawing will take place at 6:30 pm
You do not need to be present to win
All raffle proceeds will go to the Amelia Whale Sculpture Project
Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors is working on a permanent Whale Sculpture to be prominently displayed on our Island.
Buy raffle tickets and be a proud contributor to this majestic whale sculpture.
Complimentary Appetizers and Sweets, Cash Bar
Family and friends are invited!
Turtle Fest
Saturday, April 19, 2025
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Main Beach Park 32 N Fletcher Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Shrimp Festival Parade
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Wild Amelia Nature Festival & Opening of the Beaches
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Summer Right Whale Informational Series
June-September 2025
Right Whale Week
October 2025
Right Whale Festival
November 1-2, 2025
Presentations to the Community
Click the image to see presentations that have been made to the community to help spread awareness of the North Atlantic right whale.
2024 Events
Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors Annual Meeting “Change the Story”
February 10, 2024
Calving season update, Explore ways to help right whales, Discover your passion!
Story and Song, 2 – 4 pm
Right Whale Baby Shower
April 11, 2024
Celebrate this season’s birth of 19 new right whale calves and their mothers! Baby right whales are approximately 2,000 pounds and 15 feet long at birth!
Join us to wish these whales “Safe Travels” on their journey north. Learn more about the mothers and their calves birthed this season!
The Florida House Inn, The Mermaid Bar
5 – 7pm
Complimentary Appetizers and Sweets, Cash Bar
Friends and family are invited. Donations accepted.
Earth Day Turtle Fest
April 20, 2024
Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors will have a booth at the festival!
Shrimp Festival Parade
May 2, 2024
Cheer for the giant right whale swimming down Ash and Centre Street!
Walk with us in the Shrimp Fest Parade or watch for us to swim on by!
Amelia Island- downtown Fernandina Beach
6pm
15th Annual Wild Amelia Nature Fest
May 18, 2024
Eco-Expo exhibitors, kids niche, live animals, bands, food trucks, fun!
Visit the Amelia Island Whale Ambassador’s Booth, for Whale Talk and delightful whale merchandise!
Main Beach Park
Right Whales Offshore Fernandina: A historical perspective
Saturday, September 7, 2024 2:00-3:30
Story and Song Bookstore 1430 Park Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL
Presented by Barb Zoodsma, NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Region’s North Atlantic Right Whale Recovery Program Coordinator, Retired
Baleen & Brew
Chat with a right whale expert! A laid back atmosphere to learn about whales! Family friendly!
The Disco Witch Brewing kitchen will be open to order food and you can try their Right Whale Blonde Ale!
The historical timeline covering the last 200 years of whales in the Fernandina area will be on display.
Meet the experts and hear about their real life experiences with the North Atlantic right whales!
Barb Zoodsma, Retired NOAA Southeast Right Whale Recovery Coordinator
Tom Pitchford, Wildlife Biologist with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Sunday, October 20 4:00-7:00 pm
Disco Witch Brewing
464073 State Road 200 Yulee FL 32097
Right Whale Week
October 25 – November 3, 2024
Visit participating shops, restaurants and pubs celebrating our right whales!
Downtown Fernandina Beach and throughout Nassau County
Click here for information on how to get involved!
Look for the “Sign of the Whale” in participating businesses’ windows. Specials, whale inspired merchandise, and fun activities, artwork, and more can be found during Right Whale Week!
Support the businesses that support our whales! Click here for a list of participating businesses!!!
Right Whale Festival
November 2-3, 2024
Main Beach Park, Amelia Island
Lifesize whales, 70+ booths, youth activities… Fun and Educational for the whole family! For more information, visit https://rightwhalefestival.com
Visit the Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors Booth, front and center, for whale talk, beautiful whale merchandise, and youth activities.
This is an amazing place to learn more about the North Atlantic Right Whale!
Right Whale Sighting Training
November 4, 2024 6:00-8:00 pm
Courtyard by Marriot Amelia Island 2700-1 Atlantic Avenue
Presented by Julie Albert, Right Whale Sighting Network with Blue World Research Institute
This informative 1.5 hour class will qualify you to join the Whale Alert Network!
Learn what you can do to save right whales, including how to spot and report right whales from shore.