About us

Our story on how we stared and what we mean!

A big red and white boat cruising up the Manatee River, where Gnarly Mangrove Designs first started in Bradenton.

origin story

Our story began on Anna Maria Island, where Joann and Don Meilner ran humble boat tours that shared the island’s magic with everyone who came aboard.

In 2016, their daughter Amelia Talucci, born and raised on the island, carried that legacy forward — transforming the family venture into a printing and graphic design company. What started as a way to help her family grew into a creative movement, celebrating local pride through designs like OneLoveAMI.

Today, Gnarly Mangrove Designs blends island heritage, family spirit, and eco-awareness, inspiring others to protect and celebrate the place we call home.

Our Mission

At Gnarly Mangrove Designs, we’re inspired by life on land and water — thriving where saltwater, sea breezes, and sunshine meet. Based on Anna Maria Island, we create custom gifts, engraved designs, and coastal-inspired products that spread happiness and celebrate island life. Our mission is to share the joy of the shoreline while raising awareness about the importance of Florida’s mangroves — the original coastal protectors that keep our waters clean and our communities strong.

The Gnarly Mangrove Roots in water and  fish swimming through them underwater.

Why Mangroves Matter!

On Florida’s west coast, Red, Black, and White mangroves act as the shoreline’s natural protectors.
Their strong roots hold the land in placeshield communities from storms, and filter our waters, keeping them clear and healthy.

They’re also nurseries for countless fish and marine species, and they store huge amounts of carbon, making them quiet heroes in the fight against climate change.

These “gnarly roots” protect more than nature — they protect us.

Meet The Mangroves

Red mangrove roots emerging from the water with bright green leaves above on the Florida coast.

Red mangroves

These are the ones you’ll notice first. They grow right at the water’s edge with tall, arching “prop roots”that look like stilts holding the tree up. These roots help keep the shoreline stable and filter the water.

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