Photo by Eliot VanOtteren
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On an island roughly the size of Manhattan, the St. Simons community has worked hand-in-hand with the Land Trust for twenty years to preserve, protect, and manage more than 1,000 acres of land. More than 900 of those acres exist in the northern half of this beautiful barrier island - an area larger than Central Park! And more than 600 of those acres lie within
These 608 acres comprise some of the most pristine habitat on St. Simons Island. Information about the cultural and ecological importance of CPP, along with its fascinating history and how the Land Trust was able to acquire and now manage the land, can be found in this month's Property Spotlight. We hope you'll take a moment to read about this extraordinary property and then plan to visit the Preserve soon.
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PURCHASE HISTORY
After an 18-month capital campaign that raised more than $25 million, the Land Trust announced in September of 2012 the purchase of Cannon’s Point Preserve, an undeveloped, 608-acre wilderness tract located on the north-end of St. Simons. The successful campaign included gifts and pledges from hundreds of individuals, foundations and organizations. But it was Hank and Wendy Paulson, owners of Little St. Simons Island and internationally recognized conservationists, who were lead donors of the project and worked tirelessly with the Land Trust's board and staff, as well as local and national leaders, to secure this invaluable piece of historic and environmentally significant property. From the start of the project, it was always a goal of the Land Trust and its partners for Cannon’s Point Preserve to be a national model for land conservation and nature-centered recreation and education.
"We think the best way to build a conservation ethic on St. Simons
is to have a beautiful property like Cannon's Point, which is preserved,
and have people experience that and engender in them
an appreciation for the natural world . . ."
--Ben Slade, former SSLT Executive Director, Founding Board Chairman
and key fundraiser in the Cannon's Point Preserve capital campaign
Today the Preserve is protected by a perpetual conservation easement held by The Nature Conservancy and is a no-take preserve, meaning there is no collecting or disturbing of natural features or artifacts.
There are three task forces associated with the Preserve made up of professionals who are experts in environmental conservation, archaeology, scientific research, education, and other fields who volunteer their time and in-depth knowledge to assist with ongoing management of the property. Prior to the purchase of the Preserve, members of these groups worked with the Land Trust staff and board to create the Ecological Management Plan, a living document that provides guidance and processes for long-term management, research, public access, educational outreach, and the encouragement of and integration of citizen science throughout the Preserve.
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19th century plantation-era ruins
on the Preserve's north end
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Cannon's Point Preserve is steeped in centuries of human history – from the indigenous peoples who lived on Georgia’s barrier islands for thousands of years, to European Colonists who helped settle the southeastern United States, to the owners, overseers, and enslaved people who grew sea island cotton and other crops during the late 18th and 19th centuries. One of the features that makes Cannon's Point so culturally important is that evidence of these centuries of human history have remained mostly undisturbed.
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According to archeologists who are currently studying the property, this is a world-class complex of archeological sites that is of tremendous regional importance. Shell middens dating back to 2500 BCE are on the property, as are the remains of John Couper's plantation home and slave quarters built in the early 1800s.
Read more about these assets HERE. |
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Cannon's Point Preserve has some of the last intact maritime forest on St. Simons Island and is rich in natural history as well. The peninsula has more than six miles of salt marsh, tidal creek and river shore line that provide habitat for oysters, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, the Federally Threatened West Indian Manatee, and other wildlife.
The Preserve is linked to the lower Altamaha River Delta, which is recognized as one of the most biologically rich ecosystems in the world and considered by The Nature Conservancy as a coastal area of highest priority. The Preserve is also part of a significant aquifer recharge area, making it invaluable for surface and subsurface connection to the aquifer.
In addition, Cannon’s Point contains habitat important to native and migratory species of birds that pass along the Atlantic Flyway twice annually. The rare climbing buckthorn and Florida privet, as well as the painted bunting (listed as a neotropical species of concern), are found here. The Preserve's surrounding salt marsh, tidal creeks and rivers reduce the impact of storm surge on adjacent upland, minimize erosion and subsidence, and provide essential habitat for fisheries as well as threatened, endangered and protected species.
Read more about the Preserve's ecological merit HERE. |
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The overarching goal in providing oversight of Cannon's Point Preserve is protection and enhancement of the health of rare species and natural communities, biodiversity, and ecological processes. An additional conservation goal is to provide environmental, historical, cultural, and conservation-related education as well as recreational and research opportunities.
In partnership with The Nature Conservancy, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, colleges, universities, and research institutions around the country, this unique property offers an abundance of significant cultural and environmental resources. Ongoing projects include maritime forest restoration, living shoreline research, archaeology research, bat, butterfly and bird surveys, ribbed mussel research, and red bay research.
To read more about these research projects, please click HERE. |
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If you can't make it out to the Preserve during its newly modified hours of operation (Saturdays and Mondays, 9AM-3PM),
click below for a Virtual Visit of this stunning property!
View all Land Trust Virtual Visits HERE. |
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If you are you interested in learning more about Cannon's Point Preserve and other Land Trust properties, we hope you'll consider becoming a trained Land Trust Docent.
As a volunteer, you will learn about the cultural and ecological significance of this historic property. You will also have a chance to assist visitors and work with other CPP volunteers and staff. Hours are flexible and training can be done virtually at your convenience.
Contact Marty Moody at mmoody@sslt.org for more information and to sign-up today. |
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The next time you visit Cannon's Point Preserve,
we hope you'll take a moment to appreciate the stunning views
that extend across to Little St. Simons from the Preserve's north end
and appreciate its dense maritime forest canopy,
wetlands, native plants, and rare habitat.
We also hope you'll join us in giving a nod to the many who participated in acquiring these 608 acres that provide the finest examples of the unique history, beauty, and charm of Georgia's most beloved barrier island.
Lastly, be on the lookout for upcoming 20 in 20 Spotlights highlighting the groups of scientists and educators who make up the Preserve's important task forces as well as the researchers and experts who make its important research opportunities possible.
THANK YOU!
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Click HERE to see all Property Spotlights.
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Thank you to all our 20th Anniversary Sponsors! |
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Because land conservation means more now than ever,
and because our work continues in spite of pandemics and economic downturns,
Your renewals are helping us make the wisest possible financial decisions
as we near the year's end.
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Note: Memberships can be paid monthly or quarterly with direct, online payments.
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Thank you, as always, for your continued support! |
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