Fish Island Preserve has become one of St. Augustine’s most talked-about natural spaces and for good reason. A few years ago, the property made headlines when it was at risk of being developed. Instead, through a collaborative effort by local advocates, the land was purchased by the State of Florida and permanently protected, ensuring it would remain open for the community to enjoy.
The preservation of Fish Island Preserve along the Matanzas River stands as one of St. Augustine’s most significant recent conservation victories, the result of years of collaboration between local government agencies, environmental organizations, and grassroots advocates determined to protect one of the region’s remaining natural landscapes.
Located just south of downtown St. Augustine on Anastasia Island, Fish Island Preserve represents a rare stretch of undeveloped riverfront habitat that many community members feared could be lost without coordinated action and long-term protection efforts. The successful preservation initiative united several major partners, including the City of St. Augustine, Matanzas Riverkeeper, North Florida Land Trust, and the grassroots advocacy group Friends of Fish Island. Together, the organizations helped secure conservation protections for the property and preserve public access to the environmentally sensitive area.
City officials played a central role in advancing the effort by providing institutional support and helping move preservation initiatives forward through public processes and partnerships. Environmental advocates said the city’s involvement added momentum and credibility to a project that relied heavily on community engagement. Matanzas Riverkeeper contributed environmental oversight and advocacy throughout the preservation campaign, helping raise awareness about the ecological importance of the land and the need to protect vulnerable waterways along the Matanzas River. The North Florida Land Trust provided legal and conservation expertise that helped ensure the property could remain protected long term. Conservation easements and land trust agreements are often considered critical tools in preventing future development on environmentally sensitive land. Much of the public energy behind the campaign came from Friends of Fish Island, a coalition of residents and conservation advocates who spent years organizing support, attending public meetings, and advocating for permanent preservation of the site.
The organization’s work earned statewide recognition in 2020 when Friends of Fish Island received the Stewards of Heritage Award, an honor recognizing sustained contributions to protecting Florida’s environmental and cultural resources. Supporters of the preservation effort say Fish Island has become a symbol of community-driven conservation in St. Augustine, demonstrating how partnerships between nonprofits, local government, and residents can successfully protect vulnerable natural areas from future development pressures.
Today, Fish Island offers locals a rare opportunity: over 60 acres of preserved land with miles of walking trails on Anastasia Island. The roughly two miles of paths wind through shaded oak hammocks, palmettos, and along scenic views of the Matanzas River. It’s an easy, accessible spot for a morning walk, an afternoon reset, or a quiet place to enjoy nature without leaving town. It also plays an important role in protecting local wildlife habitats and preserving land with deep historical roots tied to Native American culture in Northeast Florida. For residents, Fish Island isn’t just a park, it’s a success story. It’s a reminder of what can happen when a community comes together to protect the places that make St. Augustine special.
Additional information about conservation efforts and public access at Fish Island Preserve is available through North Florida Land Trust and Matanzas Riverkeeper.
You can also find information about the preserve on the City of St. Augustine website.
