This past weekend, we had the honor of hosting an intimate memorial service for two of our longtime supporters who passed away within months of one another last year. Their closest friends and surviving relatives thought that planting a tree in their memories was not only appropriate, but they felt it was something the couple would love. Different species of trees were recommended, including dogwoods and redbuds. But we landed on a beautiful, 12-foot tall Magnolia grandiflora, commonly known as a Teddy Bear southern magnolia. The woody evergreen will maintain its pyramidal shape as it reaches a height of 20 feet or more and expands 12 feet across. It will live and flourish in its native coastal climate far longer than those who planted it.

On Saturday morning, when the small cluster of guests gathered around the magnolia in the backyard here at the Land Trust, memories were shared of two people who had grown up on St. Simons and spent nearly their entire lives together. There were stories of his attending Georgia Tech, her time at Vanderbilt, and the years in Chapel Hill and then Charlotte before they moved back to the island. A singer/musician performed a beautifully fitting song, and there were a few moments of silence.

During that time, while the weather held for us, we ate lunch together on the grounds. After the chairs and tables were put away and everyone had gone home, the skies finally broke open and the rain blew sideways. The next morning the sun came out, followed that evening by a bright crescent moon. And then on Monday morning, when I walked down to check on the magnolia, I spotted the first bloom far up in the tree and quickly realized that there were blossoms ready to pop open everywhere. On Saturday, there had not been one visible bud on the tree.

Maybe it was the long drink of water that came with the tempest on Saturday evening. Maybe it was the spring sunshine the next morning, and the not-too-hot temperatures throughout the day. Or maybe, just maybe, it was something else. Maybe there was the sense of being encircled by care and affection, by gratitude and respect. Maybe it was that stunning magnolia standing as a living legacy of high school sweethearts who died too young. Or maybe it was two special souls letting us know that they were glad to be back home on the island and that they were content to be where they rest.

Then again, that may be wishful thinking on our part. But as we promise to nurture and care for that perfect Magnolia grandiflora, its timely unfurling of white blossoms provides comfort on what sometimes feels like dark days.

Emily Ellison

Executive Director

The Land Trust supporters mentioned above were part of a growing group of legacy donors ensuring that the privilege of enjoying the history, culture, and environment of St. Simons is available for future generations. As part of The Legacy Society, this couple generously included the St. Simons Land Trust in their estate plans.

Planned giving creates a powerful legacy beyond your lifetime, amplifies the impact of investments you've already made in the community, and sustains the St. Simons Land Trust's mission and the island forever.

If you have questions about how to make a bequest to SSLT, or if you would like us to work with you and your advisors on crafting basic bequest language and identifying ways to meet your estate planning goals, please call us at (912) 638-9109 or email emellison@sslt.org.

Last week, Daisy Scouts from the local Girl Scout Troop on St. Simons Island enjoyed their first-ever trip to Cannon’s Point Preserve! The group of enthusiastic kindergarteners worked on gaining knowledge for multiple badges including the outdoor art maker badge and the hiker badge. During their hike around the southern area of the Preserve, the girls learned about coastal habitats and animals, how to follow a map, and the importance of "leaving no trace" when being out in nature. We are so pleased that the Preserve was able to provide this special opportunity to the Daisy Scouts, and we hope this visit inspires them to become lifelong conservation advocates.

The Master Naturalist class from UGA Extension - Camden County spent a day at Cannon’s Point Preserve earlier this month. The group, lead by Jessica Warren (County Extension Coordinator, Agricultural and Natural Resources Agent, UGA Extension – Camden County), was joined by MC Halbrook (Agriculture & Natural Resources Glynn County UGA Extension Agent - ANR).

The class learned from Land Trust staff members Stephanie Knox and Rebecca Cushing about ongoing land management and research taking place at the Preserve and other Land Trust properties. Topics discussed included the benefits of living shorelines, maritime forest restoration research, invasive species monitoring, mapping conservation lands, and developing land use management plans.

The second phase of Guale Preserve's newest Ancient Dune trail, which includes its namesake, was cut and opened this month. The entire trail is one-and-a-half miles in length and follows an ancient dune ridge, a unique feature that gives visitors a glimpse into the geological history of the island. We hope you get to visit soon!

Trail map coming soon. Visit virtually HERE.

of Following the Tabby Trail

with Jingle Davis

and Benjamin Galland

5:30 - 6:30 PM.

Copies of Following the Tabby Trail will be available for purchase by Righton Books.

This month, the Land Trust partnered with Keep Golden Isles Beautiful to remove almost 600 pounds of trash and debris from the salt marsh at Gascoigne Bluff Park. What an accomplishment! Our volunteers, along with nearly 20 others, cleaned up the marsh upland area. Some even donned mud boots and waded out into the marsh. We are grateful for the dedication of these volunteers and for our partnership with KGIB.

Land Trust Volunteers stayed busy with many other activities this month. They worked hard cleaning up debris and trimming to keep our properties safe, accessible, and beautiful. Volunteers also started a weekly watering routine for the gardens at the Land Trust office. Thank you all!

If you're interested in becoming a Land Trust Volunteer, please click the button below.

The Land Trust Ambassadors had a great month planning for Movie Night Under the Oaks and hosting their first Cocktails for Conservation event of the year at Dorothy's Cocktail & Oyster Bar. Meanwhile, the Junior Ambassadors assisted Land Steward Technician, Rebecca Cushing, at Glynn County's STEAMfest where they shared more about their Wildlife Habitat Certification project. Both groups helped to share the Land Trust's mission with members of the community and look forward to continuing that work at Movie Night on April 14.

We are grateful for these groups and the role they play in spreading land preservation awareness in the Golden Isles!

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 the comments below from the Pennies for Preservation partners who were featured on social media in MARCH.

When we asked Gavin Sellers, owner of Gavin Sellers Creative, to share an interesting fact about himself, we learned that he's a third-generation entrepreneur.

"My father started his lawn care business in 1988 and my grandfather opened his auto shop in 1962; both still in business today," Gavin shared. "Growing up in my dad's business taught me the invaluable lesson that hard work and persistence outweighs the challenging nature of owning and operating your own company."

Have you ever wondered where the name "Lilmar" from Lilmar Properties comes from? Owners Adam and Beth Witt shared recently that their company name blossomed from the names of their daughter Lily and their fur baby Marley. How sweet!

"Family has always been a very strong part of our lives," Adam said. "Beth and I wanted to make sure that Lilmar Properties had that deep connection and reminder of Family everyday with our business." Now that Lilmar Properties has grown to a team of ten, their culture and mission are still strongly centered around their Team & Family. "This new idea of Team & Family is a large part of what our team executes every day to deliver a Five Star experience for our owners and our guests."

Our partners on Little St. Simons Island often use the phrase “. . . nature is the luxury” in their marketing materials, so we asked them to share a little more about what that means.

Jamie Pazur, the island’s General Manager, said, “We strive to provide all our guests with warm Southern hospitality, lovely accommodations, delicious food, and fun adventures, but they’re not the point, really. What we’re known for and what we want to share with people is simply: the luxury of nature. That can mean a lot of things: truck safaris with our naturalists, walks through ancient maritime forests, picking up sand dollars on the beach, watching the sun set from creek-side swings, casting a line into a fishing hole, kayaking through marshes teeming with wildlife, or just reclining on a porch with a book. However our guests choose to luxuriate in nature, we hope they enjoy the natural beauty and unspoiled environment of this beautiful island, and we’re so glad to be able to share it with them.”

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.

From Cannon's Point Preserve to Patagonia, Land Trust hats have explored many exciting places this month. We are grateful to our members and supporters who share these exciting experiences with us!

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

Purchase your Land Trust hat online or in-office TODAY.

PS: Be on the lookout for a NEW style of Land Trust hat coming soon!

March 21 - June 21: Great American Cleanup

April 1: Coastal WildScapes Spring Native Plant Sale, Ashantilly Center, Darien

April 1: Southern Bounty Festival, Presented by Queen & Grant, Benefiting Forward Brunswick, Mary Ross Waterfront Park

April 2: The Farm at Oatland North Spring Festival, 1-4pm

April 14: SSLT Movie Night Under the Oaks, Land Trust Office. FREE tickets available now!

April 22: Earth Day

April 22: Keep Golden Isles Beautiful Electronics Recycling Event

April 22: Georgia Department of Natural Resources' CoastFest

April 26: Warbler Walk at Cannon's Point Preserve with Coastal Georgia Audubon, 8-10AM

April 27: Following the Tabby Trail presentation & book signing with author Jingle Davis and photographer Benjamin Galland. Register HERE.

April 29: Living Shoreline Expo at Cannon’s Point Preserve. More details to come!

May 13: World Migratory Bird Day Walk at Guale Preserve with Coastal Georgia Audubon, 8-10AM

January 20, 2024: St. Simons Land Trust's annual OYSTER ROAST, Gascoigne Bluff Park, SSI