The AIPF's Strategic Plan For A1A

The State of Florida owns a 200’ right-of-way through Amelia Island Plantation that includes A1A.  This land consists of a 50’ wide parcel to the East of the highway which includes the bike path, and a 100’ wide parcel to the West.  

Over the past 50 years the canopy, as well as the understory on this land has not been effectively maintained, and by 2018, large vines and invasive plants had over run the area and had threatened the health of the canopy.  This overgrowth significantly impacted the curb appeal of our community.

Because of the potential impact on the environment, as well as real estate values, in 2018, the Amelia Island Plantation Foundation developed a long-term strategic plan for A1A. In March of that year, the AIPF received a state permit to implement a multi-year program to eliminate vines from the canopy along the highway.

During 2018 and 2019, over 1200 man-hours were spent by AIPF contractors to remove the invasive vines from the canopy along the six miles of A1A frontage on both sides of the highway.    

As part of this project, The AIPF will continue to remove vines from the canopy adjacent to both sides of A1A in the future.

In order to manage the understory along the highway, from 2020 through 2022, AIPF contractors bush hogged and thinned out the East side of A1A to remove the invasive and nuisance vegetation. This project was successful in making the area look less unkempt, but the invasives grew back so fast that repetitive maintenance and removal proved to be too costly for the long term.

As a result, the AIPF developed a more sustainable, attractive, and easier to maintain landscaping strategy along the East side of A1A that we called a "Pollinator Pathway". This Pollinator Pathway will consist of replacing the invasives and vines in the understory between the bike path and the highway with approximately 40 beds of colorful native plants and wildflowers that we are calling "Pollinator Pods".

In late 2022, the AIPF was granted an FDOT permit to begin implementing the first phase of the Pollinator Pathway which will be the Foundation’s largest project to date.  It has required the installation of a sprinkling system and will eventually run from south of Burney Road to Long Point Drive. 

The Pollinator Pathway will provide berries, seeds, pollen, and habitat for birds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. The first phase from Burney Road to the first round-about was completed in 2023, and the second phase, which will be completed by AIP's 50th Anniversary Celebration, will extend the Pollinator Pathway to the second round-about at the Omni shops.

The AIPF hopes to raise enough funds to complete the Pollinator Pathway Project in the Spring of 2026. Once the Pollinator Pathway is completed, the AIPF will maintain it and possibly replace the unkempt grass with jasmine or other attractive ground-cover.

A1A Pollinator Pathway Second Phase Before Landscaping