Dear Friends,
There is something especially lovely about the final days of spring in Coastal Georgia. The heat and bugs haven't yet driven people inside (or insane), and cool breezes off the marsh haven't yet given way to the season of tropical storms and hurricanes. Rather, it's what Samuel Scoville, Jr. described more than 100 years ago in his book Wild Folk as “honey-sweet May, when the birds come back, and the flowers come out, and the air is full of the sunrise scents and songs of the dawning year.”
On St. Simons and the other barrier islands of Georgia, it's the month when we take note of moths, monarch butterflies, and the mama turtles who have returned to our coast after 30 years or more at sea. Each is a miracle in its own way.
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So too was the dedication of the historic Ibo Landing on St. Simons Island this month. It was a long overdue recognition of what a group of individuals -- brought to the Georgia coast from West Africa -- were willing to sacrifice to prevent being committed to a lifetime of enslavement. One of the most heartening aspects of the dedication of this historic marker is that it was led by high school students who are members of the Glynn Academy Ethnology Club. Although many came together to make the dedication a reality, it was the young students of our community who led the rest of us in making certain it happened.
The most heartrending moment of the dedication came when a lone voice began singing the old spiritual,
"Oh freedom, Oh, freedom
Oh freedom over me
And before I'd be a slave
I'd be buried in my grave."
Somehow it was fitting that this landmark occasion took place under the branches of scores of live oak trees in the last days of May with the children leading the way.
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Emily Ellison
Executive Director
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IBO LANDING MARKER DEDICATION |
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Mimi Rogers (Curator of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society) with Land Trust board members Valerie Hepburn, Susan Shipman, Dialo Cartwright, and Land Trust Executive Director Emily Ellison |
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On May 24, a new Georgia Historical Marker was dedicated to commemorate one of the most storied events in St. Simons Island history: Ibo Landing.
Ibo Landing (also spelled Ebo and Igbo) refers to a section of Dunbar Creek where members of the Igbo tribe of West Africa confronted their white captors in 1803. The Igbo were being transported on a slave ship to local plantations when they chose to resist and drown themselves rather than be enslaved. This is the first Georgia Historical Marker on St. Simons Island that presents a historical event from the African American perspective.
In 2021, students of the Glynn Academy Ethnology Club partnered with the Coastal Georgia Historical Society (CGHS) to apply to the Georgia Historical Society’s Marker Program. The St. Simons African American Heritage Coalition (SSAAHC) joined the project initiative, representing the Gullah Geechee community. The marker is located at the Land Trust's Old Stables Corner, giving the marker high visibility and easy access. The traditional location of Ibo Landing along Dunbar Creek is on private residential property.
Read more from The Brunswick News HERE. |
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This month, gifts and grants continued to be made to Phase II of the Land Trust's Canopy Campaign. This included a major grant from The Fraser-Parker Foundation, a private family foundation in Atlanta, for $500,000.
"We are awed, humbled, and gratified by such a generous show of support from the trustees of The Fraser-Parker Foundation that is helping us to get so close to our total campaign goal," said Emily Ellison, ED of the Land Trust.
This and other generous gifts and commitments have provided nearly $5 Million toward our total $5.5 Million campaign goal.
If you have not done so already, we hope that you will consider joining in this community-wide investment to conserve some of the last remaining large tracts of undeveloped land on St. Simons. We welcome the opportunity to meet with you and answer any questions you may have about the purpose and goals of the campaign.
To learn more about the campaign and how you can participate,
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MOVIE NIGHT UNDER THE OAKS |
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In less than 48 hours, all 200 available spots for the Land Trust's Movie Night Under the Oaks were spoken for and the community gathering was a "sold-out" event. Movie Night will take place on June 9 in the backyard of our offices at 1810 Frederica Road, where families will spread out blankets and quilts and set up beach chairs to enjoy a night under the stars.
If you would like to be placed on a waiting list for any spots that may open up in the next week, please email Raleigh Kitchen at rkitchen@sslt.org or click the button below. |
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Nearly 20 volunteers showed up between 8:30AM - 10:30AM to help make a positive impact at this highly-trafficked family park. After picking up trash at the park (including more than 600 cigarette butts!), several volunteers took their bags and gloves and cleaned up a short section of the beach and the parking area at the Coast Guard Station.
We're grateful to KGIB for their partnership in this Great American Cleanup event and to ALL the volunteers who showed up in support of keeping St. Simons and the Golden Isles beautiful! Stay tuned for upcoming clean-up days on other parts of the island.
Learn more about Keep Golden Isles Beautiful HERE. |
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CANNON'S POINT PRESERVE-
A PLATFORM FOR EDUCATION
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Dock community study: Left - tossing cast nets and using dip nets at the dock. Right - analyzing the collected fauna in the Terry Thomas Coastal Ecology Field Lab.
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Before school let out for the summer, Cannon's Point Preserve was once again a platform for education for third graders from St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Brunswick, GA.
Educational activities that took place throughout the day included a hike through the maritime forest, a dock community study, coastal watercolor painting, a Preserve history presentation, bagging oyster shells, and living shoreline education.
Thank you to Brook Vallaster (CPP Education Task Force member), Jennifer Kline (classroom mom, GADNR CRD), Stephanie Knox (SSTL Land Conservation Manager), staff from Georgia DNR's Coastal Resources Division, Kathryn Vinyard, and Myrna Crook (CPP History Task Force member) for making this trip possible!
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NEW PARTNERS
Join us in welcoming our newest Pennies for Preservation partners,
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A St. Simons resident for more than a decade, Suzy finds daily inspiration in the ever-changing waters, beaches, and skies of this area. She celebrates color and texture in her artwork, a playful approach to creativity that formed while growing up in Atlanta, Georgia. Suzy says painting brings her joy. “…It is this depth of feeling that I hope to share with those who engage with my paintings.” Suzy’s artwork can be viewed online and is proudly displayed at many local businesses on St. Simons, recently including the Golden Isles Welcome Center.
Suzy is participating in the program by generously donating a percentage of her proceeds. Thank you, Suzy, and loyal patrons of Suzy Dmetruk Fine Art for helping us preserve environmentally significant habitat on St. Simons!
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This bike rental company allows visitors and residents to freely explore the Golden Isles with ease and speed. Each Electric Coast bike can travel up to 20 mph which makes exploring approximately 45 miles a breeze on a full charge! Bikes can be rented for a few hours or for several days and come with all the necessities. Delivery and pick up are available across the island.
Electric Coast’s owner, Ross Smith, will be generously donating 1% of his proceeds. Thank you, Ross and Electric Coast patrons, for helping preserve St. Simons!
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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 a recap of comments from the Pennies for Preservation partner who was featured on social media in MAY:
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The story behind Pier Village Market on St. Simons is an interesting one! Chris Morgan, owner of PVM, shared with us that the idea came to light after talks of a proposed development was approved in the Pier Village in 2019. The plan included demolishing the "huts" known as "Pier Village Market." Chris explained that this demolition "would cause a number of businesses to lose their homes and [would] add to the growing need on [St. Simons] for commercial real estate."
Not long after, Beachview Books, a Pier Village staple for more than 50 years, closed its doors at historic 215 Mallory Street. "With patience, elbow grease, and a lot of LOVE we remodeled the 2,200 square foot building into a multi professional floor plan with ten rentable Suites throughout." Today, these Suites are home to retail shops, real estate offices, take out restaurants, and general office spaces.
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Let's Keep it Local!
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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The Land Trust is thrilled to announce the hire of its very first Land Steward Technician, Rebecca Cushing!
Originally from Plymouth, Massachusetts, Rebecca moved to Georgia in 2014 and has made a home here on St. Simons Island. From an early age, Rebecca has always loved the outdoors and learning about nature. With a background in art, education, and ecology, she has taken many opportunities to express this passion. Rebecca graduated from the College of Coastal Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Coastal Ecology and Environmental Science in May of this year. In her role as Land Steward Technician, she works to maintain and care for the beautiful properties protected by the Land Trust. As part of the Stewardship team, Rebecca works closely with staff members, volunteers, and Land Trust partners to coordinate and carry out land management and community outreach. In her free time, Rebecca works as an artist and draws inspiration from the native flora and fauna of coastal Georgia. Her favorite Land Trust property is Cannon’s Point Preserve, where she can feel completely immersed in the peaceful maritime forest that is protected there.
Learn more about the SSLT Staff HERE.
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Deb Luginbuhl, Ann Pequigney, and Nancy Dorn on a boat tour |
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Board Member Bob Sattelmeyer in Iceland |
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Supporter Jim Bruce and SSLT ED Emily Ellison at a Friends of Fort Frederica gathering |
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Staff Member Rebecca Cushing and her fiancé at Joshua Tree National Park |
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Supporters Phil and Kim Belt on the Brooklyn Bridge |
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From coastal Georgia to Iceland, our Land Trust hats have been on MANY adventures this past month. Thanks to all who brought their hats along and shared their pictures.
Don't have a hat? Let's fix that!
While our online store is temporarily shut down, SSLT hats can still be purchased in-person from our office at 1810 Frederica Road. We hope you'll come and see us!
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MOTHS, MONARCHS, AND MAMA TURTLES |
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Photo courtesy of Coastal WildScapes |
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Wild (and new) life take center stage during the month of May each year. While on their migratory routes, birds, butterflies, and other insects are busy pollinating Coastal Georgia's native plants. And sea turtles and shorebirds begin utilizing our beaches to nest and raise their young.
Moths, often so forgotten by many of us or seen as pests who eat holes in woolen clothing and wraps, are the "night shift" pollinators, and many flowers have evolved to be fragrant at night to make use of their services. While the wings and bodies of many moths are brown and gray, naturally plain to avoid predators, some are as colorful and beautiful as their diurnal cousins.
Loggerhead sea turtles have started strong this season. With nearly 1,000 nests along Georgia's 100-mile coast (and it's not even June!), it's safe to say we're in for a record-breaking year. Learn more about sea turtle nesting in Georgia HERE. |
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June 9: Movie Night Under the Oaks, Land Trust Office. SOLD OUT.
June 15: SSLT Paddle Tour around Cannon's Point Preserve. $65/person. Spaces are limited. Register by emailing Emily Ellison HERE.
August 28: Coastal WildScapes Book Signing with Author Janisse Ray, Ashantilly Center, Darien
September 24: Coastal WildScapes Fall Native Plant Sale, Ashantilly Center, Darien
January 21, 2023: 23rd ANNUAL OYSTER ROAST!
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THANK YOU TO OUR
2022 BUSINESS SPONSORS
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AS ALWAYS,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT!
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