Nature embodies all that is Amelia Island. Nestled among centuries-old Live Oaks, the majestic maritime forest, tranquil salt marshes, and the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean; this resort community exemplifies environmental sensitivity and the trappings of a leisure lifestyle.

Meticulously preserved since 1971, Amelia Island has set the standard for development “In Harmony With Nature.” Years before their time, the master developers of this coastal paradise included Charles Fraser and the Sea Pines Company of Hilton Head, South Carolina and Ian McHarg of the firm Wallace, McHarg, Roberts and Todd. Together they set upon a mission to find the optimum fit between man’s habitat and the existing natural environment, including animal life and plant ecology on this fragile barrier island in Northeast Florida. The result was a master plan to protect tidal marshes, conserve oceanfront dunes, grassland and savannahs. An unprecedented 40-foot wide strip of natural vegetation was added as a buffer to all waterways allowing them to remain a wildlife refuge, travel corridors and food sources.

In order to protect these standards, covenants were put into place that the resorts and property owners would have to adhere to in order to build and live within this magnificent setting. Each building, courtyard, terrace or boardwalk is placed with the natural environment in mind, making sure that each structure is set within nature’s arms instead of distracting from it. The philosophy that each entity on the resort “embraces its site and becomes one with it” is still the mission and the reason Amelia Island has remained the pristine environment that it is.