September has been the month of so many welcome arrivals and celebrations at the Land Trust. First, our Stewardship Director, Stephanie Knox, gave birth to a perfectly beautiful, nearly 9-lb. baby boy. Brody is getting lots of rest after his long journey. The parents -- not so much. The month also brought the arrival of a new staff member, Kimbrough Haverstock, who is working part-time as the Land Trust's first-ever Administrative Assistant. Filling that position has brought pleasant relief and much-needed help to the office, but nothing as much as the person herself. Kimbrough is human sunshine. Drop by some morning to meet her -- it will jumpstart your day on a positive note.

And then yesterday evening my husband came in from the back garden and said, "She's back!" The "she" was a momma cardinal that we had not seen in a few days. But within a couple of hours of his refilling the bird feeder, she had returned and was flitting through the limbs of the fig tree. The momma and her partner and one chick have been consistent neighbors all summer, zipping in and out of the fig’s branches so fast that we are always awed that there are no crash landings. And the parents have continued to share seeds with their offspring for so long that we had begun to think that he, now as large as both parents, had sprung the nest only to move back in after college. In addition to the bird feeder, we also planted more blooming plants this year, both annuals and perennials, that livened up the space and provided pops of color. These additions, along with a bird bath that we tried to replenish with fresh water every day during the heat of summer, have turned our back yard into prime real estate not only for the cardinal family, but for a throng of new residents. Robins, hummingbirds, brown thrashers, tufted titmice, and the largest blue jay I’ve ever seen.

It is amazing what a few plants, some seeds, and a vessel of clean water has brought to our garden. The multitude of birds, bees, and butterflies has been almost as welcome as Brody and Kimbrough. Georgia Audubon knows what they're doing by celebrating Georgia Grows Native for Birds Month during September. Governor Brian Kemp also signed a proclamation designating September as Georgia Native Plants Month. These and other efforts are spotlighting the importance of landscaping with native plants, providing habitat for pollinators, and finding such joy in the process.

At the Land Trust we've promoted planting with native species often, and we've created a native plant garden in the back yard at our office. But the lawn crew has continued to come weekly and mow and blow the combination of grasses and dollar weed in our front yard. With the assistance of two generous donors, along with help from the Sea Island Company, garden clubs, and many volunteers, we are finally "walking the walk" and not just talking about creating habitat for birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The turf and weeds will soon be gone from that space that fronts our office on Frederica Road and replaced with a Pollinator Garden.

The planning began months ago, but this week the physical work began. Later this fall, we hope you'll have an opportunity to come by and walk the paths in our new garden and watch with us as flowering and native plants bring life, color, and promise to an area that previously was just a place to be mowed. As Emily Dickinson wrote, "'Hope' is the thing with feathers -- That perches in the soul -- And sings the tune without the words -- And never stops -- at all --"

Emily Ellison

Executive Director

P.S. One More thing to celebrate: the 99th birthday today of former President Jimmy Carter, who while governor of Georgia did away with mowing along state highways and instead planted native wildflowers. Mr. Carter also spent many days on St. Simons, including meeting with his new cabinet members at Musgrove Plantation before his presidential inauguration. With no political connotations, we are grateful for this Georgia native who has loved the coast and been a lifelong conservationist.

-- Land Trust Alliance

The St. Simons Land Trust has had the opportunity to protect many spaces across the island with habitats that attract and sustain important pollinators. To enhance these efforts, during the 2022-2023 school year, SSLT Junior Ambassadors added native plants to the Board of Directors garden in the backyard of our office, resulting in certification as a Wildlife Sanctuary through Georgia Audubon.

This month preliminary work also began in turning the Land Trust's front yard into a new Pollinator Garden filled with species that will attract native and migratory pollinators. Thank you to Landscape Architect and SSLT Stewardship Committee member Roger Steffens for developing the garden plan (shown above) and to SSLT Volunteer Jeffry White and other members of a steering committee who are leading the efforts to create this beautiful new "wilderness" space that will be open to the public, including school groups, garden clubs, and others.

Stop by the Land Trust's office soon to try out the newest addition to the "Old Man in the Tree" - the selfie stand!

No more awkward angles or missing family members. With this platform, you can place your phone directly on the stand, turn your camera to selfie mode, and capture the perfect photo of your entire family. Be sure to send your photos to info@sslt.org or tag us on social media at @stsimonslandtrust!

Recently green ribbons have shown up on some of the largest and oldest live oaks at Old Stables Corner, causing concern that the trees have been flagged for removal. Please know that the very opposite is true. ISA Certified Arborist Roger Ditmer, one of the best known and most qualified arborists in the region, has conducted an assessment of the health of trees that are part of the white oak group (including live oaks). Additionally, the Land Trust has hired Shupe Surveying Company to conduct a land survey showing the exact location of all trees on the property. Both are tools for stewarding conserved properties and making sure that the tree canopy on the island remains healthy and protected.

As background, in 2010 this generous community came together and, in less than 100 days, raised the funds to help purchase the 2.3-acre property that was the site of the former Sea Island Stables. It has remained one of the most iconic and beloved corners on St. Simons, filled with memories, historic significance, and magnificent trees that the Land Trust is committed to preserving and protecting forever.

Unfortunately, because of the flagged trees, unfounded rumors have circulated that the proposed roundabout at the intersection of Frederica and Sea Island Roads, if approved, will go through the Old Stables Corner. Please know that the Land Trust honors the generosity of those who helped to acquire and protect this beautiful corner, and we are more committed than ever to preserving the space. Old Stables Corner is without a doubt an important part of the fabric and history of St. Simons, a tree-fill oasis at a much-traveled intersection. Those green ribbons will soon be gone, but rest assured that the trees are not going anywhere!

This week, wildlife biologists within the Wildlife Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources sampled the bat population at the Preserve. These annual surveys are completed to learn more about the species inhabiting our area and their population health.

Species captured include a Seminole bat (Lasiurus seminolus), two northern yellow bats (Lasiurus intermedius), and a tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus).

The northern yellow bat is a Georgia Species of Concern and a high priority species for the Georgia State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP).

Tricolored bats, a Proposed Endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act, has declined significantly from white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that causes mortality to winter hibernating bats. The southern Georgia population is of critical conservation importance for this species in the state, and we are honored to protect habitat where they can thrive.

Learn more about research conducted at Cannon's Point Preserve HERE or by clicking the button below.

SOUTHERN OBSERVATION TOWER: Necessary repairs to the Preserve's southern area observation tower have been completed after damage from a fallen tree limb.

GEORGIA-PACIFIC EDUCATION PAVILION: Normal wear and tear at the education pavilion required completing minor repairs. A fresh coat of stain has also been applied, making it look like new!

TRAIL TRIMMING: Volunteers helped to trim the main spine road, keeping it safe and enjoyable for visitors once the Preserve re-opens in October.

Please Note: Guale Preserve and John Gilbert Nature Trail have reopened to the public after undergoing essential tree removal and cleanup post Hurricane Idalia. The JGNT boardwalk remains closed until repairs to the wooden structure can be made. Thank you for understanding!

Land Trust properties are alive with some of our area's most interesting plants and wildlife. This month, our staff saw spotted beebalm in bloom and an American giant millipede crawling on chicken of the woods at the Land Trust's office. While surveying for bats at Cannon's Point Preserve, wildlife biologists with the GaDNR spotted a flying squirrel!

If you find interesting plants or wildlife while visiting Land Trust properties, share your photos with us! Photos can be emailed to Raleigh Kitchen at rkitchen@sslt.org.

FAMILY DAY at GUALE PRESERVE

Attendees can partake in scavenger hunts along Guale Preserve's Ancient Dune Trail, experience a family-friendly guided hike with GaDNR, and enjoy educational booths from other local Land Trust partners including Sea Island Nature, Coastal WildScapes, Coastal Georgia Historical Society, Fort Frederica National Monument, and more! Light refreshments, including Fuse Frozen Co. and Sandy Bottom Bagels, will be provided.

The St. Simons Land Trust and Coastal Georgia Audubon are partnering to provide two Bird Walks on Land Trust properties during what should be the peak of fall migration. We hope you will pack your binoculars and join us!

Meet in the parking lot at Guale Preserve for this Wednesday Warbler Walk.

Meet at the entrance of Cannon's Point Preserve on Lawrence Road.

The Land Trust hosted a nonprofit CEO Roundtable Discussion and Welcome Breakfast for Keeva Kase, the new President/CEO of the Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation this month. The group of dedicated, hard-working, and passionate leaders brainstormed ways their organizations can collaborate with one another, address issues that are universal to the nonprofit sector, and create innovative and lasting change in the community.

Those who were able to attend this first discussion, in addition to Keeva Kase and Emily Ellison, SSLT ED who hosted the gathering, included LaTanya Abbot Austin (Abbot Institute), Megan Desrosiers (One Hundred Miles), Sharon Flores (Coastal Symphony of Georgia), Steve Goyer (St. Simons Presbyterian Church), Leslie Hartman (Safe Harbor Children's Center), Lori M. Hatton (Coastal Coalition for Children), Heather Heath (Golden Isles Arts & Humanities), Michelle Johnston (College of Coastal Georgia), Sherri Jones (Coastal Georgia Historical Society), Lynn Love (Communities in Schools), Michelle Register (Glynn Visual Arts), Lance Sabbe (Forward Brunswick), Tyree Shelton (Coastal Georgia YMCA), and Cathy Spraetz (The United Way of Coastal Georgia).

As the third quarter of the year passes, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all Land Trust members who have renewed their annual memberships or maintained their recurring giving throughout the year. It is your generosity, and that of our partners and sponsors, that has enabled us to acquire more land, maintain and enhance our protected properties, and reach the Golden Isles community through educational events and speaker presentations.

If you have yet to renew your annual membership, or if you are considering becoming a new member of the Land Trust, we hope you'll take the next step by clicking the button below. Thank you for your support and partnership!

The 'A Penny for Your Thoughts' conversation series with our Pennies for Preservation partners continues! This Q&A initiative individually highlights each partner so the community can connect with and get to know each business and business owners a little better.

Please see below the Pennies for Preservation partners who were featured on social media in SEPTEMBER.

and the Land Trust's dedicated Pennies for Preservation partners.

Pennies for Preservation businesses raise funds to preserve and protect St. Simons Island.

1) Collecting a voluntary 1% or specific dollar amount donation from

their customers' receipts/invoices.

2) Donating 1% of their companies' proceeds or services.

Join us in welcoming the Land Trust's newest staff member, Kimbrough Haverstock!

Kimbrough joined our team as Administrative Assistant in early September. In 2003 she moved to St. Simons Island where she worked in real estate and fell in love with exploring the island. It was then that she was introduced to the Land Trust and its mission.

From the sea level to the highest peak in the Northeastern United States, Land Trust hats went on numerous adventures this month! We are grateful to our members and supporters who share their experiences with us. Keep the photos coming!

Don't have a hat? Let's fix that!

All four versions of SSLT hats can be purchased in-office or on our website below.

October 7 - November 4: StoryWalk in the Butterfly Garden at Demere Park featuring The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming and Nicola Slater. Open dawn to dusk.

October 7: Marshes of Glynn Libraries StoryWalk Opening Day, Demere Park, 10:30AM

October 11: Fall Bird Walk with Coastal Georgia Audubon at Guale Preserve, 8AM

October 14: SSLT Ambassador Family Day at Guale Preserve.

October 21: Fall Bird Walk #2 with Coastal Georgia Audubon at Cannon's Point Preserve, 8AM

October 21: One Hundred Miles Choosing to Lead Conference. Jekyll Island.

October 22: Fall Festival at The Farm at Oatland North. 1-4PM.

November 2: "William Bartram and the Golden Isles" presentation by Dr. Bob Sattelmeyer. SSLT Office. 5:30PM. (Be on the lookout for additional information!)

November 2: One Hundred Miles Naturalist 101 VIRTUAL PRESENTATION: We Are All Whalers - Lecture with Dr. Michael J. Moore, WHOI. 7:00PM.

November 5: One Hundred Miles Naturalist 101 VIRTUAL PRESENTATION: Ebenezer Creek Paddle. 7:00PM.

November 7: Art Auction and Reception at Glynn Visual Arts -- Art collection from the Steve and Miranda Hires estate

December 7: One Hundred Miles Naturalist 101 VIRTUAL PRESENTATION: Genetic Tools for Sea Turtle Conservation - Lecture with Dr. Brian Shamblin, UGA

January 20, 2024: St. Simons Land Trust's annual OYSTER ROAST, Gascoigne Bluff Park, SSI (Tickets will go on sale December 1.)