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Dear Friends,
The night before we were supposed to host the Land Trust's 25th Anniversary Oyster Roast on January 25, I dreamt that I was furiously redirecting a stampeding herd of bulls. They weren't barreling down the narrow streets of Pamplona, Spain, and I wasn't using a red scarf to slow them down. Instead, they were crashing through the live oaks at Gascoigne Bluff Park, and I was frantically trying to stop them with a broken palm frond.
Mind you, I've never been close to even one bovine, much less hundreds, but my psyche was no doubt on dramatic overdrive as our team at the Land Trust worked to reschedule an event with an anticipated 1,500 attendees and scores of restaurants, vendors, and volunteers. An ice and snow storm in Coastal Georgia is about as rare as a stampede of bulls along the Frederica River, and it took more than a palm frond to turn it around.
But because food deliveries could not be assured with parts of I-95 and the Savannah airport closed, because the downed trees and limbs at Gascoigne Park could not be cleaned in time for the scheduled event, and the safety of guests could not be assured, turn it around we did. Thank you to the hundreds of people impacted by this decision for showing such grace and understanding and helping us to reschedule the Oyster Roast for February 22.
Strange how a month can sometimes feel like a year. Interesting how we continue to be reminded that the best paved plans can be upended within minutes. And how small our melodrama ends up being when compared with the real issues around the world. The stampede is over, the lights will be strung on the branches of live oaks at Gascoigne in February, the music will play, the libations will be poured, and the delicious coastal cuisine will be served to more than a thousand. A community will come together, and we will once again count our blessings for the abundance surrounding us in Coastal Georgia.
The year has only begun, we see now. The Land Trust's 25th Anniversary is still ahead of us, with important projects and celebrations to be initiated. Thank you, as always, for your steadfast and generous partnership in helping to preserve the finest qualities of St. Simons Island. Safe travels to each of you through 2025, and thanks once again for helping us to keep the horns and hoofs at bay.
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Emily Ellison
Executive Director
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If you have not had the chance to view the Land Trust's 25th Anniversary short film Seeding for the Future, please click below. In production for more than a year, the film highlights this unique barrier island and the community that has rallied to conserve its natural, scenic, and historic features. | |
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Special thanks to Benjamin Galland (Videographer/Director) and
Jess Swan (Videographer/Producer), Janisse Ray (Narrator), and
Clay Caldwell (Creative Designer) for making this possible.
And THANK YOU to this island community for helping us Seed for the Future.
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This month's arrival of Winter Storm Enzo left an indelible mark on the Golden Isles, bringing with it a stunning spectacle of freezing rain, snow, and ice that, while enchanting in its beauty, also posed significant challenges for our community. Many residents faced power outages, and the storm's impact on our trees and landscapes necessitated a concerted cleanup effort reminiscent of past hurricanes. The St. Simons Land Trust is dedicated to restoring and maintaining its nearly 1,400 acres of protected land, and we want to assure you that safety and restoration are our utmost priorities during this process. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate the cleanup, which may take some time due to the continued risk of falling limbs.
As you enjoy our properties, we kindly ask that you remain vigilant and considerate, allowing ample space for any workers who may be on site conducting maintenance in an effort to improve the safety of your visit.
Enzo property photos by Melanie Cranford and Alex Speight
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CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
The annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) took place at Cannon's Point Preserve on January 3rd.
This annual census takes place on a single day within an established 15-mile diameter circle including Little St. Simons Island, the Altamaha River Delta, and Cannon’s Point Preserve. Volunteers coordinated by our partners at The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island follow designated routes spending hours counting individual birds that are seen or heard throughout the count. At the Preserve, more than 61 different species were recorded totaling 466 individual birds!
Thank you to all who participated in the Cannon's Point Preserve count including Bob Sattelmeyer, Gene Keferl, Tom Hodge, and Sarah Manning (Birds Georgia). Your help in collecting this research is monumental!
Photo courtesy of Birds Georgia
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ONE HUNDRED MILES YELP FIELD TRIP
This month, the bright and eager YELP students from One Hundred Miles bundled up and embarked on an adventure to Cannon’s Point Preserve. Under the expert guidance of SSLT Stewardship Director Stephanie Knox, they delved into the vital concepts of land conservation and the remarkable efforts to preserve the unique ecosystem of Cannon’s Point, which serves as a living testament to the beauty and importance of maritime forests. The students were not only captivated by the lush surroundings but also inspired by heartfelt stories shared by Stephanie and the Land Trust Ambassador Haley Rogers about their professional journeys, underscoring the value of internships and the thrill of exploring new possibilites.
We remain immensely grateful for the opportunity to utilize the Preserve as an educational platform, igniting passion and curiosity in the next generation.
Photo courtesy of One Hundred Miles
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COASTAL GREENERY PARTNER CLEANUP
A huge thank you to our Corporate Volunteers at Coastal Greenery and our Land Trust Volunteers for braving the chill to enhance the Gateway Property Trail. Their remarkable teamwork not only resulted in two dump trailers filled with debris in just an hour but also showcased the powerful collaborative spirit that fuels our local conservation efforts.
Coastal Greenery embodies the essence of stewardship through their core values encapsulated in the acronym ROOTS—Responsive, Ownership-minded, Observant, Trusted, and Skillful. We are especially thankful for the leadership of Joshua Johns, our Land Trust Ambassador and Coastal Greenery Branch Leader, whose guidance helped to make this cleanup happen.
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CPP Docents
Thank you to Cannon's Point Preserve docents Marti, Pat, Giovanni, Richard, and all our docents for the invaluable role you play in welcoming and educating visitors about the unique ecological and historical significance of the Preserve.
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Gateway Property
Trail Trimming
Special thanks to Scott, Ken, Jeff, and John (not pictured) for working with Joshua and his team from Coastal Greenery to ensure the Gateway Property trail was cleared and safe for visitor enjoyment.
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Oyster Roast
Red Lanterns
A group of volunteers including Anne, Marcie, Josh, Lynn, Charles, and Debbie worked joyfully and efficiently inserting batteries into nearly 150 new red lanterns to be used for the Oyster Roast.
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If you're interested in becoming a Land Trust volunteer, please click the button below! | |
Please continue supporting our local Pennies for Preservation business partners below by purchasing gifts, going out to eat, or grabbing a gift card. Your support of these businesses helps preserve St. Simons' beauty and charm. Thank you! | |
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THANK YOU TO OUR
2025 12-MONTH SPONSORS
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