Selva 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.
This turtle has a flat shell, long neck, and strange snorkel-like nose. Softshell Turtles like to bury themselves in the sediment with only their long nose above the water, waiting for prey to come by so, they can ambush them. The Florida Softshell Turtle is the fastest in Florida, reaching a top speed of 15 mph in water and 3 mph on land. This turtle is “fast” because its shell is cartilaginous carapace covered in leathery skin making it lighter and more agile than its more well known hardshell relatives.
Selva Preserve is a protected piece of land conserved for its environmental benefits and public use. The preserve provides vital wildlife habitat and helps with stormwater management for the surrounding community. It also has a beautiful trail for recreation and exercise.
In 2018, the City of Atlantic Beach acquired the Selva Preserve property with assistance from the non-profit organization, The Public Trust. This acquisition was a "win-win solution" that allowed for the construction of five single-family homes on the upland portion of the property while preserving the wetland areas.
The name "Selva" is associated with the larger Selva Marina neighborhood, a well-established community that was once home to the Selva Marina Country Club. The country club, now the Atlantic Beach Country Club, and the surrounding residential area have a long history in the city, with the Selva Preserve being a part of this larger community.