Dear Friends,
New sets of binoculars have been ordered from Amazon and are supposed to be delivered on Good Friday. That's a very good thing indeed since my husband, daughter, son-in-law, several friends, and I are all participating in a six-week Master Birder Class sponsored by 100 Miles. During our first field trip with the group last Saturday, a couple of us were using my late father's two sets of binoculars -- neither of which were of high quality to begin with when purchased more than sixty years ago. But we gave them a shot, trying to see as much detail as possible of the line of Wilson's plovers pecking their way down the beach. Then Dr. Abby Sterling, one of our instructors, a Manomet shorebird biologist and Wilson's plover scholar, passed on her binoculars to my daughter, who in turn shared them with me.
Whoa! What had looked like merely lumps of sand suddenly came alive under Abby's "bins" (birder speak for binoculars), showing these coastal waders balancing on one foot and then another. According to Bob Sattelmeyer -- another class instructor -- by the time the field trip ended at noon, we had seen and heard more than 50 species of birds.
That is, Bob and Abby, DNR's Tim Keyes, and others identified that many species. Not I. My eyes are definitely not trained to grab bird sightings seemingly out of the sky, and I doubt they ever will be. But with the help of one of the high-magnification scopes that the instructors carried with them, I observed in awe as a black-crowned night-heron hid its head under a mass of grey feathers. I could have spent all day on the edge of one of Jekyll's pollen covered lakes watching that heron, along with preening egrets and a spoonbill, hearing Carolina wrens calling through the trees.
The truth is, I had hoped it would rain Saturday morning. It had a been a long, sad week with one of our colleagues undergoing an arduous, slow recovery from a fall, with the sudden death of a friend, and with the announced upcoming closing of an institution I love. Easily I could have stayed horizontal, with my head under the covers rather than spraying myself with sunscreen and bug spray, grabbing Dad's lens-scratched binoculars, and heading to Jekyll. But, like always, once out in nature, walking near the surf, being amazed by both birds and birders, it was a reminder that hope is as iterative as the seasons and the tides.
All of us at the St. Simons Land Trust send warmest wishes that the dawning of a new spring will fill hearts and homes with optimism and joy and that the rising sun this coming Sunday morning will immerse us all in light. May the peace of the season be with you, and may the new "bins" arrive on time.
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Emily Ellison
Executive Director
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LAND TRUST PROPERTY UPDATES |
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JOHN GILBERT NATURE TRAIL: RE-OPENING THIS WEEKEND! |
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Locally sourced mulch has been laid along the dirt portion of the trail to protect tree roots and to make it as accessible as possible.
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A small viewing platform has been erected at the end of the trail to enhance visitor experience with a breathtaking view of the saltmarsh.
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After several months of being closed to the public as we received permission from permitting agencies to replace the boardwalk and viewing platforms at the John Gilbert Nature Trail, we are grateful that the reconstruction is nearly complete. If the weather cooperates, the property will once again be open beginning this Friday, March 29. We hope you'll take the time to walk the trail with family and friends and take advantage of the stunning views from the newly created observation tower. From the top of this new viewing platform, you can see the Sea Island Causeway to the south and catch a glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean to the right.
A huge thank you to Shelley Renner and her team for the on-time, below-budget work they did to safely rebuild and enhance the boardwalk along this beloved trail.
Thank you also to our partners at Georgia Power for providing locally sourced mulch that has significantly improved the dirt portion of the trail, making it easier for walking and for maintaining.
If you would like to help fund this enhancement project, including the next phase of relandscaping with native plants, please click the button below!
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Living Shoreline Research - Scientific Article
In 2014, the year before Cannon's Point Preserve's important living shoreline project was completed, Professor Tate Holbrook and students in his Conservation Biology class at the College of Coastal Georgia (CCGA) began monitoring the living shoreline (LSL) site on Lawrence Creek.
From 2014 to 2020, at the end of each growing season, they conducted transect surveys of intertidal benthic invertebrates and plants. The results of this study help demonstrate the positive ecological impacts of LSLs on oyster reef and salt marsh-edge habitats in the highly dynamic estuarine environment of coastal Georgia.
Photo courtesy of GADNR, Coastal Resources Division
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Frederica Academy 4th Grade Class
After reading the novel Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen, the 4th grade class at Frederica Academy came out to Cannon’s Point Preserve for an opportunity to learn from Land Trust staff and task force members about survival techniques in our harsh but beautiful coastal environment.
The class was exposed to native flora and fauna and learned various ways that people have lived off the land for centuries. As an exciting conclusion to the field trip, the students utilized their teamwork skills to build a shelter similar to the one that Hatchet’s main character, Brian Robeson, had to construct in order to survive in the Canadian wilderness.
Thank you to all the students, teachers, and volunteers who made this trip possible. It was a memorable experience!
Photo courtesy of Frederica Academy
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Vitality Residents
During their recent visit to Cannon's Point Preserve, residents from Vitality Living Frederica, a senior living community on St. Simons, heard from Stewardship Director Stephanie Knox about the Land Trust’s mission, protected land, and island-wide conservation efforts. They also learned about the Preserve’s history and past land use from CPP History Task Force member Myrna Crook. After the educational presentation, the residents visited the "live oak rotunda" to view its magnificent, centuries-old trees. We were so pleased to share the Preserve with this wonderful group!
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Simpson Rain Lilies Planted
in Pollinator Garden
Simpson Rain Lilies (Zephyranthes simpsonii) were planted in the Land Trust's Pollinator Garden this month with the help of volunteer Donna Lynch. The Simpson rain lily is a critically imperiled species in Georgia. These specimens were collected and donated by Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Conservation Section from a roadside rescue in cooperation with Georgia Department of Transportation. The Land Trust is proud to have a safe place for these imperiled plants to thrive and be enjoyed by visitors to our office and Pollinator Garden. And we are of course very grateful for volunteers like Donna, who are always ready to lend a helping hand.
For more information on these and other rare plants in Georgia,
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SPOTTED
See below for interesting plants or wildlife found on Land Trust properties.
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Carolina jessamine
Guale Preserve
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Innocence
Cannon's Point Preserve
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Lyreleaf sage
SSLT Office
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Spring is officially here and showing up in blooms galore on Land Trust properties. Some of our favorites include Carolina jessamine at Guale Preserve, Innocence at Cannon's Point Preserve, and Lyreleaf sage at the Land Trust's office.
If you find interesting plants or wildlife while visiting Land Trust properties, please share your photos with us! Pictures can be emailed to Raleigh Kitchen at rkitchen@sslt.org.
Note: Please remember that there is a "no take" policy on all protected properties.
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WALK THE FREDERICA GREENWAY |
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Join the St. Simons Land Trust
on Saturday, April 20th, at 8:30AM
(check-in begins at 8:00AM)
for a FREE, fun, and informative walk along the
FREDERICA GREENWAY
visiting some of the Land Trust's most visible and beloved properties.
Along this enjoyable 1.5-mile journey from the Land Trust's office to the John Gilbert Nature Trail and back, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about six protected parcels of land, including each property's history and environmental significance.
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MARSH MADNESS
On March 2, Land Trust volunteers Jack, Dottie, Pat, Hunt, and Ann joined forces with volunteers from Glynn Environmental Coalition and Keep Golden Isles Beautiful for a Marsh Madness cleanup along the marsh on South Harrington Rd. near Village Creek Landing. We are grateful for your impact!
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CPP DOCENTS
Thank you to Jackie, Pat, Richard, Lynn, and Patty who, along with other docent volunteers, help educate visitors about the ecology and history of Cannon's Point Preserve. It is because of the dedication and consistent efforts of these docents that we are able to share CPP with so many every year.
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PROPERTY CLEANUP
The Land Trust's Mildred Huie Property received some TLC this month when volunteers George, Robbie, Ethan, Nancy, Patty, Jerry, Donna, and Scott helped to trim plants. A few days later, Paul, Anne, Jerry, and Nancy gave the outside of the building a fresh coat of paint!
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If you're interested in becoming a Land Trust volunteer, please click the button below! |
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To express our gratitude for all they do, we are excited to share monthly features of the dedicated young professionals who make up our Ambassador program. Thank you all!
See below for the March Ambassadors of the Month:
CLAY CALDWELL & HALEY ROGERS
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"It’s important to me for my children to experience parts of the same SSI that I did when I was growing up . . . . By participating in the SSLT Ambassadors and P4P programs, I’m ensuring that the people, businesses, and organizations of this island continue to collaborate in protecting our sustainable ecosystem for generations to come.” |
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“I am so grateful to have grown up on this beautiful island where I had the opportunity to experience nature in a way that sparked a lifelong passion. Supporting the St. Simons Land Trust is incredibly important to me because the work we are doing now ensures that the next generation will have the same opportunity to explore these amazing places.” |
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If you'd like to learn more about the Ambassador program or how to get involved,
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Please remember to continue supporting our Golden Isles businesses
and the Land Trust's dedicated Pennies for Preservation partners.
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Participating businesses raise contributions by either:
1) Collecting a voluntary 1% or specific dollar amount donation from
their customers' receipts/invoices.
OR
2) Donating 1% of their companies' proceeds or services.
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Photo by 2023 Photography Contest Winner, Dalton Hemmings |
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As a way to honor the island's natural beauty and encourage everyone to get out on protected land throughout the spring and summer, we are sponsoring the third-annual St. Simons Land Trust PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST!
Winning photos may be featured in the Land Trust's 2025 calendar, online media, and in print media.
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NEW SSLT LIVE OAK PATTERN
WITH WENDY BARNES DESIGN
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We are always eager to partner with businesses that share the Land Trust's goal of creating a community culture of conservation. One such partner is Wendy Barnes Design, who designs patterns used in creating her eco-friendly, handmade products. When these products are sold, Wendy generously donates 10% back to each partnered organization.
Wendy originally designed a live oak pattern to benefit the St. Simons Land Trust in 2019. The following year, she designed an oyster pattern in celebration of our annual Oyster Roast.
We have been so grateful to receive contributions from the sale of products made from these patterns over the last five years, and we are proud to share with you an updated live oak pattern Wendy has launched to further benefit SSLT.
Click the button below for your chance to
win a FREE tote and utility towel
in this beautiful new pattern!
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Remember, with every purchase in this (or any) SSLT pattern,
10% will be donated back to the Land Trust.
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Stew Kitchen
Pine Island, Florida
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Harper Kitchen
St. Simons Island, GA
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Marty Moody
Hooiberg Mountain, Aruba
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The first SSLT t-shirt was spotted this month on little Harper Kitchen who wore her shirt for a "Wear what you want to be when you grow up" day at school! SSLT hats were spotted while supporting a Land Trust in Florida and while adventuring in Aruba. Thank you all for sharing your photos with us! Where will your Land Trust swag be spotted next?
All SSLT merchandise can be purchased in-office or on our website via the button below.
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Please join us in congratulating the WINNERS of our winter membership drive who won a 30-gallon fire kettle, spark screen, twisted poker and FREE delivery from our friends at Sea Island Forge.
CONGRATULATIONS,
ANGIE AND MATT GIPSON!
Sincerest thanks to the nearly 100 Live Oak Society supporters who renewed, upgraded, or became members between January 1 - February 15. And of course heartfelt thanks to our generous partners at Sea Island Forge who provided such wonderful motivation for supporters to give or renew early this year.
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"Walking under a canopy of trees is when we feel the most humble in life. Hearing Clapper rails in the marsh, discovering glass lizards near the coast, or watching raccoons ramble thru the brush all remind us of our modest role in this vibrant ecosystem. We contribute to the Land Trust to ensure we can preserve these serene and enriching moments for ourselves, our children, our community, and a legacy for those yet to come."
-- Angie Gipson
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March 15 - May 31: Georgia Birds' Lights Out Georgia. Learn more HERE.
April 1 - 5: Glynn County Schools Spring Break
April 9: Georgia Birds' Project Safe Flight Georgia Fall Update via Zoom webinar. 7pm. Register HERE.
April 13: Coastal WildScapes' Spring Native Plant Sale. Ashantilly Center, Darien. 9am-1pm.
April 21: The Farm at Oatland North Spring Festival. 1-4pm. Correll Trail at Oatland will be CLOSED this day.
April 21 - 27: National Volunteer Week
April 22: Earth Day
May 5: Pennies for Preservation Community Celebration at Old Stables Corner. 1-3pm. More details to come!
May 8: Spring Migration Bird Walk with Coastal Georgia Audubon. Cannon's Point Preserve. 8-10am.
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THANK YOU TO OUR
2024 12-MONTH SPONSORS
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