SHINING LIGHT
Lighthouse marks decade as Outstanding Natural Area
Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Outstanding Natural Area designation, an honor bestowed on only two other lighthouses in the United States.
Today marks 10 years since President George W. Bush signed the designation into law. The goal was “to protect, conserve and enhance the unique and nationally important ... federal lands surrounding the lighthouse for the benefit of present and future generations of people in the United States,” according to the proclamation Mayor Todd Wadraska read at last week’s town council meeting.
Along with the designation came $1.6 million in federal stimulus money for hiking trails, erosion control, lighthouse restoration and lighthouse keeper’s quarters.
“This has the same significance as a national monument,” Jamie Stuve, CEO and president of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Museum, said at the May 1 council meeting. “There are actually only two other lighthouses with this designation in the entire country. One is in California and the other in Oregon.”
To celebrate, the lighthouse and museum will be open today for plein air artists and photographers to come and capture its beauty. Those who want to participate must bring their own supplies and agree to be photographed and there will be cookies and coffee on the deck. Staff is asking people to share their masterpieces on social media during and after the event with the hashtag #10YearsJILONA.
If you’re not artistic, don’t worry. There will also be fishing lessons from Fishing Community, a nonprofit that helps military members and veterans transition out of the military. The organization will be on site from 1 to 5 p.m. with reels and equipment.
Admission for the day, which includes the activities, is free for children and $10 for adults.
“I know everyone is really proud of our lighthouse,” Stuve said. “We should be really proud that it’s not just a local icon, but it’s a national one, too.”
The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse has been around for more than 150 years. It’s owned by the U.S. Coast Guard and was first lit in 1860. The nonprofit Loxahatchee River Historical Society operates the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum. Last year, the society raised about $60,000 for improvements and maintenance at the museum and lighthouse.