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Dutton Island Preserve
Welcome to the Atlantic Beach Turtle Crawl! If this is the first turtle you’ve found, there are 23 others scattered throughout our park system, in places of historic significance, and even in some unexpected locations. If you’re up for a scavenger hunt to find every turtle on our Turtle Crawl, you can find a map HERE.
The Gopher Tortoise is an endangered species of tortoise named after its habitat of burrowing. Due to habitat loss, there is only an estimated 700,000 individuals left worldwide. Gopher Tortoises are considered a commensal species because their burrows are often homes and protection for more than 350 high priority Florida species. If you’re lucky you may see a Gopher Tortoise in the sand dunes of Atlantic Beach. Due to their endangered status, it is illegal to touch Gopher Tortoises or to disturb their burrows.
Dutton Island Preserve, formerly known as Pine Island, was owned by Walter “Wally” E. Dutton before he sold the land to Atlantic Beach to be used as a natural preserve in 1998. Prior to the sale, Dutton Island was planned for the development of single-family homes, threatening the natural beauty of the island. The pending development prompted several organizations, administrations, and citizens to begin efforts to preserve the island.
At that time, the island was within the City of Jacksonville’s jurisdiction. In 1994 Atlantic Beach Mayor Lyman Fletcher contacted Mr. Dutton to discuss the possibility of the City of Atlantic Beach acquiring the Island. Over the next four years, the City of Atlantic Beach, the City of Jacksonville, the Florida Communities Trust, and numerous other dedicated organizations and citizens worked to preserve Dutton Island.
In 2000 the City Commission named the island after Walter Dutton. In 2002 the city Commission named the pavilion “The Lyman T Fletcher Pavilion” for Mr. Fletcher’s contributions in acquiring and preserving the island.
Today, Dutton Island is 31.86 acres, has 3,500 linear feet of nature trails. It has a kayak launch, a fishing pier, fish cleaning stations, picnic tables, and primitive camping. A signposted paddling trail extends from Dutton Island to the south end of Atlantic Beach to a landing at Tide Views Preserve, passing through 350 acres of marshes and islands called River Branch Preserve. Be sure you are properly licensed for saltwater fishing and mindful of the tides.
Some common bird sightings include osprey, bald eagles, herons, wood storks and other resident and migratory birds. Off the fishing pier you have high chances of catching red drum, sand sea trout, black drum, sheepshead, spotted sea trout, and flounder.