When people think of St. Simons Island, the Golden Isles, and coastal Georgia, they call to mind our breathtaking surroundings. But the natural beauty that makes up our coastal home has a variety of different and diverse features. There’s the beach and its shifting landscape, of course. There are the picturesque marshes with golden and green spartina. There’s the maritime forest with its saw palmettos and jungle of twisted vines. There are the stately live oaks adorned with resurrection ferns and draped in Spanish moss. While the impeccably manicured greens of our world-class golf courses might draw visitors, it is the quiet natural beauty in which those golf courses are nestled that always impresses. We live in a gorgeous place; there’s no question about it. Being a denizen of this fair island brings with it the responsibility to be a good steward of our surroundings as well. There are many ways in which we can protect and preserve our coastal home for generations to come, both at the community level and individually.
A Natural Solution
One of the strongest proponents of good island stewardship is the the St. Simons Land Trust. Since 2000, the St. Simons Land Trust has been a community institution entrusted with an extraordinary responsibility: to protect our scenic and historic treasures and to preserve the beauty and charm of our island and the quality of life here for generations to come. Currently, the Land Trust owns 26 properties and holds five conservation easements. They manage approximately 1,000 acres on St. Simons Island that are preserved for perpetuity. “Our goal is to protect 2,000 acres island-wide,” said David Pope, Executive Director of the Land Trust. “That’s roughly twenty percent of St. Simons Island.” They are very pleased to announce a major investment by the Anschutz Foundation which continues Sea Island Company’s role as another preeminent steward of our island community and allows the Land Trust to take a huge step toward this strategic goal.
The Anschutz Foundation was established by Philip F. Anschutz for the purpose of supporting a broad range of charitable initiatives. “The Anschutz family, which owns the Sea Island Company, is committed to the long-term future of St. Simons Island and Sea Island,” said Scott Steilen, President and CEO of Sea Island Company. “This gift is a direct result of the Foundation’s intention to preserve the character and quality of life of these very special islands. We are encouraged by the Land Trust’s comprehensive land preservation strategy and look forward to the community joining us in this critical preservation effort.”
The Foundation's contribution will come in two phases. An initial grant of approximately $2 million, which has already been received, will fund the purchase of properties currently under contract by the Land Trust. “We will be publicly identifying these acquisitions soon,” said David Pope. “They include historically significant and highly visible pieces of land.” The second phase of the gift – also approximately $2 million – comes with a challenge that requires the Land Trust to raise an additional $4 million from other sources. “This sets a high bar,” said Pope, “but I am absolutely positive we can meet the challenge. The property owners on both St. Simons Island and Sea Island have a keen interest in preserving the tree canopy, biodiversity, natural habitats, and ambiance of these barrier islands. Historically, the islands’ property owners have also been extraordinarily generous. I am confident that as a community, we will rise to the occasion.”
The challenge grant by The Anschutz Foundation carries forward a long-standing tradition. Over the years, Sea Island Company has donated various parcels of land to St. Simons’ churches, schools, charitable institutions, and parks. “The gift by The Anschutz Foundation to the Land Trust continues this legacy of support to the well-being of St. Simons,” said Frances McCrary, Chair of the Land Trust Board of Directors. “To reflect and strengthen that relationship, we have invited Scott Steilen to join the Land Trust Board.”
The Land Trust will be announcing additional acquisitions, from the south end to the north end of the island. According to Pope, “some parcels are quite large, and some are small,” but all are hugely important to the island’s future. “Every acre we conserve means more trees, fewer cars, and less stress on island infrastructure,” said Pope. “We are at an inflection point on St. Simons. We want to look back with pride at what we did and not regret what we did not do. This extraordinary support from The Anschutz Foundation is exactly what was needed to ensure success, and we are genuinely grateful to the Anschutz family for this generous, game-changing gift and challenge.”
As an individual, you too can contribute to the Land Trust’s goal by simply continuing your daily routine and making purchases at local restaurants and businesses that participate in the 1% for St. Simons program. When you grab a coffee and asiago bagel for breakfast at Sandy Bottom Bagels, short rib and goat cheese ravioli for lunch at Tramici, and shrimp and grits for dinner at Georgia Sea Grill, you have the option to donate 1% to help preserve St. Simons Island.
Since last October, local businesses have come together in partnership with 1% for St. Simons and the St. Simons Land Trust to help preserve the island we all love. That program is turning pennies into protected acres. For example, if your bill comes to $20, a voluntary 1% ($0.20) donation is added. The donations are then used for land acquisition, public access and scenic protection — forever.
Protected land invites residents and visitors alike to experience the island on foot, by bike, or boat and provides convenient access to the marshes, waterfront, natural areas, parks and wildlife of St. Simons. The purpose of 1% for St. Simons is to preserve the stunning live oak tree canopies, scenic corridors and views, rare ecosystems, waterways, and green space for present and future generations.
The program idea started in 2001 when The Cloister at Sea Island offered a voluntary per diem donation for its visitors. The Village Inn and Pub and The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, have also partnered in similar ways with the Land Trust. Additionally, ten years ago, Barbara Jean’s, located in the Village, created its own program that enabled diners to give to the Land Trust, donating 25 cents on every bill. Asked why he started the donation program that benefits the Land Trust, Jim Barta, owner of Barbara Jean’s Restaurants, responded, “We did this because we thought it was right for the community. Nothing more special than that.”
“We are a community organization,” emphasizes David Pope. “And it is because of the kind of community support you saw at the Oyster Roast back in January, because of our generous donors and loyal partners, that to date we have been able to preserve and protect nearly 1,000 acres across St. Simons.”
With such a history of community support, the Land Trust’s leadership also felt that a 1% voluntary giving program would be embraced by local businesses and their patrons. Founding partners of 1% for St. Simons included: Barbara Jean’s, The Brunswick News, Bubba Garcia’s Mexican Cantina, Café Frederica, Delaney’s Bistro & Bar, Ember, Georgia Sea Grill, Halyards, La Plancha, MAS Taqueria y Tequila, Sandy Bottom Bagels, and Tramici. Not only was it a logical move for most of these partners, it has also turned out to be popular with and appreciated by the businesses’ clients. “The response has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Zack Gowen, owner of Georgia Sea Grill. “It takes our guest engagement to another level by providing a way for them to give back to the community while dining out.” Dave Snyder, chef and owner of Halyards, Tramici and La Plancha restaurants, adds, “Much like our local community, visitors have an additional way to contribute to preserving the island we all enjoy.”
Of course, the Land Trust is thrilled with the positive response. “It’s been wonderful to see how well the program has been received by businesses and their patrons,” shares Sara Baker, 1% for St. Simons program manager. “It’s a clear sign that land preservation is important to both island residents and visitors.”
In addition to support from the organization’s annual membership and significant capital gifts such as the recent $4 million challenge grant from the Anschutz Foundation, the Land Trust’s board and staff are hopeful that the 1% to St. Simons program will help provide the addition funding needed to achieve their goal of protecting and connecting 2,000 acres from the southern tip to the northern corridor of the island.
“If this island is going to remain the place we have grown to love, if it is going to retain its charm and its historical, cultural, and environmental character, we have to protect it,” says Pope. “There’s no one else to do it. Once this land is gone, it’s gone forever. Therefore, we hope that everyone who loves St. Simons – landowners and tourists alike – will gladly participate in this program.”
Currently, the participating businesses in the 1% for St. Simons program include not only restaurants, but represent those in the hotel and wedding industry, media outlets, entertainment, outdoor activity, and others. Recently added partners include Certified Burgers & Beverage, Elegant Island Living, Fuse Frozen Yogurt, Golden Isles Wedding Association, iHeart Media, Kingfisher Paddleventures, and Village Inn and Pub.
“As a business, it is very important to support the community that supports you,” says David Carrier, chef and owner of Certified Burgers & Beverage. “That community not only consists of the wonderful people around here but also the beautiful island that we make our home. The protection of green space here helps maintain its authenticity and preserves our island for years to come.”
With the Village Inn and Pub being an early supporter to a Land Trust donation program back in 2007, they were eager to join 1% for St. Simons. “We built The Inn around the original property owners: the old live oaks,” says Stella Johnson, daughter of George Stewart, the owner of the Village Inn and Pub. Stella points out how “some of our favorite compliments are about these oaks and the 80 year old building that houses the Pub. Our guests are eager to help us protect the charm and history of this island and appreciate our participation in this program.”
“There is no limit to the type of businesses that can participate in 1% for St. Simons,” says Sara Baker. “The St. Simons Land Trust is a community institution, and we hope that businesses across the spectrum – from activity outfitters to hotels and high-end restaurants, from boutiques to gift shops and other retailers – will link arms with us in this community-wide effort to protect our island.”
When Elegant Island Living was asked to participate, Publisher David Butler thought it was a perfect fit. He explains, “As the go-to monthly magazine that reflects the St. Simons Island, Sea Island and the Golden Isles lifestyle, we showcase local organizations, charities, and community supporters. Without a doubt, we’d want to be part of a program that preserves the unique nature of the island and the quality of life that we embrace and share with our readers.”
Local organizations are also enthusiastic about the program. “At our core, the Golden Isles Wedding Association (GIWA) is all about our community. Strengthening, improving and above all protecting” says Justin Henshaw, President of GIWA. He added “This is why we are proud to be members of the St. Simons Land Trust and participant in the 1% for St. Simons program. The Land Trust is an organization committed to protecting our most valuable resource, our land. GIWA is overjoyed to support them.”
“It’s only because of the generosity of those who live, work, play, and vacation here that we are able to manage and maintain the properties we own, perform due diligence on future projects, and protect additional properties that would otherwise be developed,” said David Pope. He added that the newly established 1% for St. Simons program is a way for more people to support the Land Trust’s efforts. “One percent added to the cost of lunch isn’t much of a burden for most of us. But all those one percent donations add up, and every dollar helps forever preserve and protect St. Simons.”
Justin Callaway, owner of Sandy Bottom Bagels, reiterated the sentiment. “As local residents with kids growing up in this amazing part of the country, we are well aware of the need to protect our natural areas, parks and wildlife and to preserve our quality of life. It is our hope, in some small way, that we can make a difference in this community. We are excited to partner with 1% for St. Simons to help the Land Trust in their mission to preserve the beauty and charm of our island.”
To become a member of the St. Simons Land Trust or to learn more about their mission and accomplishments, visit sslt.org. If you own or represent a local business or organization who would like to participate in the 1% for St. Simons campaign, please contact Sara Baker at 912.638.9109 or email onepercent@sslt.org.
Naturally Native
Another way you can help preserve our beautiful island home is to go native. Adopt native plants and plant native trees in your landscape instead of opting for the traditional manicured lawn. Not only does this mean less maintenance for you once the plants are established, it’s so much better for the environment.
It’s estimated that the continental U.S. has more than 40 million acres of residential and commercial grass lawns. That kind of acreage puts the amount of turfgrass covering the ground on par with wheat, the country's fourth largest crop. Lawns do, in fact, have some benefits, over urban development. They absorb carbon dioxide, prevent soil erosion, dissipate heat, provide soft outdoor play areas for children and sports, and their simple existence as “green space” is something that reduces stress, helps improve mood, and makes us all feel better. However, the consequences of Americans’ obsession with pristine grass lawns may ultimately undercut those benefits. Lawn care puts heavy demand on our water supply, soaks the soil with potentially harmful chemicals that can seep into our drinking water and homes, and adds more than 10x the air pollution of a new car for every hour of a lawn mower’s operation. Not only are these things harmful to our physical health and the long term health of the environment, they have the immediate result of depriving native pollinators and honeybees of their wild habitat and food, thus threatening our agricultural system as well. Choosing to landscape using native plants instead of traditional grass lawns is a better alternative.
Native plants benefit both people and wildlife, while helping to keep the water supply clean and the soil healthy. There are a myriad of reasons to choose native plants for your landscape instead of a lawn, but here are some of the top considerations:
Native plants help you use less fertilizers. Lawns require vast amounts of fertilizers. Excess phosphorus and nitrogen (the main components of fertilizers) run off into lakes and rivers causing excess algae growth. This depletes oxygen in our waters, harms aquatic life and interferes with recreational uses.
Pesticide use is greatly reduced when using native plants. It’s estimated that more than 70 million pounds of pesticides are applied to lawns nationally each year. Run-off of these chemicals from lawn treatment can contaminate rivers and lakes. Additionally, the people and pets coming in contact with treated lawns are exposed to the potentially harmful chemicals used in the pesticides.
Less water is required when landscaping with native plants. The modern lawn requires significant amounts of water to thrive. In urban areas, lawn irrigation uses as much as 30% of the water consumption on the East Coast and up to 60% on the West Coast. Native plants can cut down on water usage, significantly reduce water runoff and, consequently, issues with drainage and flooding.
Native plants help improve air quality. Natural landscapes do not require mowing or very much maintenance. Lawns, however, must be mowed regularly. About forty million lawnmowers consume 200 million gallons of gasoline per year, while overall, gas-powered garden tools emit 5% of the nation’s air pollution. Excessive carbon from the burning of fossil fuels contributes to global warming, while native plants remove carbon from the air.
Wildlife and pollinators love native plants. By providing diverse habitats and food sources, native plants attract a variety of birds, butterflies, and other wildlife, and provide them with shelter and food. Closely mowed lawns, on the other hand, are like barren wastelands to most wildlife. Providing an ecosystem for pollinators is important in this time where bee populations are dwindling. Keeping their habitats and food sources available is a way to preserve the health of our agricultural system.
Roadside beauty depends on us to protect it (Rose gentian (Sabatia brevifolia) )
The use of native plants also promotes biodiversity and stewardship of our natural heritage. In the U.S., approximately 20 million acres of residential lawn are cultivated. Unfortunately, there are very few benefits to native wildlife from a manicured lawn or gardens that feature mostly non-native species. Native flora supports species that co-evolved with them and provide food and shelter that is tailored to native wildlife health and reproductive requirements. Natural landscaping gives you the opportunity to reestablish diverse native plants and thereby invites our coastal birds and butterflies back home.
Natural landscaping is also a money saver. A study of large properties by Applied Ecological Services in Wisconsin estimated that over a 20 year period the cumulative cost of maintaining a prairie or a wetland totals $3,000 per acre, compared to a whopping $20,000 per acre for non-native turf grasses. Native plants can also be economically beneficial because you can avoid damage that is caused by certain non-native plants and can be costly to repair.
What IS Native?
According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, our eco-region can be described as follows:
“The Sea Island/Coastal Marsh region contains the lowest elevations in Georgia and is a highly dynamic environment affected by ocean wave, wind, and river action. Mostly sandy soils occur on the barrier islands, while organic and clayey soils occur in the freshwater, brackish, and salt marshes. Maritime forest of live oak, red cedar, slash (and longleaf pine), and cabbage palmetto grow on parts of the sea islands and various species of cordgrass, saltgrass, and rushes are dominant in the marshes. The coastal marshes, tidal creeks, and estuaries are important nursery areas for fish, crabs, shrimp, and other marine species.”
Beyond the live oaks and palmettos, there’s a vast array of native plants that are well-suited to life in Coastal Georgia and there are plenty of resources to help you find what you want to create a native landscape. A very helpful comprehensive guide listing specific plants, flowers, vines, trees, ferns, and grasses and the types of soils to which they are suited is “Landscape & Gardening with Native Plants in Coastal Georgia,” which can be found at coastalwildscapes.org and was compiled with the Georgia Native Plant Society (gnps.org). It also identifies some invasive plant species considered to be of high concern in coastal areas and indicates that they should be avoided and removed if possible (kudzu, golden bamboo, English ivy, mimosa, and alligatorweed, among others).
As explained in this guide, native plants are species that grew naturally in this region prior to the colonial era and are uniquely adapted to local conditions and have co-evolved over time with other organisms of the region. These plants are suited to both the physical and biological conditions of an area. Interestingly, the guide also clarifies that wildlife (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects) along with fungi and soil biota make up the community within which native plants are an integral part. It also explains that the alteration of native species by horticultural means (cultivars) have lost their genetic diversity, which renders them incapable of being a productive part of native habitats or of supporting wildlife. It may take some extra work and dedication to establish your native plant garden instead of going the easy route and growing what’s popular and widely available, but the benefits are worth it.
How to get started: learn about native plants and their natural communities by visiting natural areas near your home and observing which plants grow together. Since landscaping with native plants is truly where art imitates nature, you’ll want to creat similar plant communities to what you observe within your own garden. Buy only nursery-propagated plant material and don’t be afraid to talk to the folks at ACE Garden Center (or wherever you might be shopping for plants) about your desire for native plants. Always be sure to match plants with the right soil, moisture and light conditions to foster their growth. Also, protect natural habitat areas, and do not remove plants from the wild, unless you’re participating in an authorized “plant rescue” program. If you have any exotic and invasive species in your garden, remove them.
If you’d like to dive in to the world of native plant gardening, you might consider attending the South Georgia Native Plant & Wildflower Symposium, sponsored by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Services and the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc., Camellia District, IV this month. Featured speakers are Karen Giovengo, the Program Manager of the University of Georgia EcoSccapes Sustainable Land Use Program and a certified national Landscape for Life ™ Trainer; professional landscape designer and environmental consultant Jeff Jackson; and Ernest Koone, president of Pine Mountain’s Lazy K nursery, the largest producer of native azalea species and cultivated varieties in the country. There is also a native plant sale during the event. The symposium takes place March 28 at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture in Tifton. For more information and registration, visit sgnpws.org.
There is also a plethora of useful information about native plants, conservation and sustainable landscaping practice resources available through the Georgia Native Plant Society at their website: gnps.org.
Get Wild!
An excellent local organization that can help you with native gardening and provide you with a variety of valuable resources and information is Coastal WildScapes. This 501 (c)(3) organization was formed in 2008 to address the increasing need to educate and engage the public in practices that will preserve the biodiversity of the Georgia coast. Their mission is to actively preserve and restore the highly significant biodiversity of Southeastern coastal ecosystems by protecting existing native habitats, rebuilding the connectivity of impaired habitats and minimizing the future fragmentation of the coastal landscape. To accomplish that mission, they incorporate educational outreach, conservation initiatives, and grassroots activities. Coastal WildScapes provides and facilitates presentations to professional organizations, civic groups, garden clubs, schools, non-profits, and commercial entities. In partnership with other organizations, their volunteers protect and rebuild habitats. Through workshops and events, they present opportunities to expand involvement and awareness of critical coastal issues.
Coastal WildScapes will help facilitate your efforts to protect natural communities, restore habitat structure, and sustainably maintain your garden and landscape. They provide educational experiences and information tailored to coastal species and natural communities. They invite everyone to join them in supporting biodiversity and the natural beauty of the coast and encourage home gardeners to transform their landscapes into a diverse, healthy and beautiful coastal habitat through the Coastal WildScapes Coastal Habitat Certification program.
Certification is a process designed to guide your understanding of the natural communities of the coast and your ability to maintain and enhance them in your own landscape.Coastal WildScapes stresses that whether you are working with a large scale landscape or container gardening, your choice to use native plants has a positive impact in supporting the significant biodiversity of the coast. By implementing the concepts of Coastal WildScaping in your garden/landscape and meeting the requirements for a Coastal Habitat Certification, you WILL make a difference.
Coastal Habitat Certification workshops are designed to help you understand the function and importance of gardening for biodiversity. They will help you identify your vision for your garden habitat, recognize the native species and habitats on your property, and imagine the original native species and habitats that might have been on your property.They’ll show you how to identify and safely remove invasive plant species, provide host and nectar plants for native pollinators, and support wildlife nesting, shelter, food and water resources.
The Coastal WildScapes workshop schedule, including field trips, Lunch and Learn opportunities, evening lecture and cocktail sessions, and coastal paddle trips, is posted at coastalwildscapes.org. Coastal Habitat Certification workshops and some of the other events and field trips are open to the general public, but certification is only available to Coastal WildScapes members.
Coastal WildScapes hosts two annual native plant sales at Ashantilly Center in Darien, one in the Spring, and one in the Fall, to bring in vendors and make native plants more readily available for local gardeners. They generally host an educational talk by a guest speaker during the plant sales, as well. These events are free and open to the public. The Spring Native Plant Sale is scheduled for April 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
On March 3rd, you can come out to support Coastal WildScapes by attending their Starlight & Spartina Annual Fundraiser at Musgrove Plantation. This evening under the oaks at one of the most beautiful private settings on St. Simons Island will feature a history tour with John Hartland this year. There will be heavy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, live music by popular local jazz ensemble Tonic Blue, and live and silent auctions. Tickets are $100 and are available for purchase online at coastalwildscapes.org.
Marsh Madness
In March, Keep Golden Isles Beautiful (KGIB) reminds us that the marsh is also an important native ecosystem here and that we have a duty to keep it clean, by hosting Marsh Madness clean-up sessions throughout the month. Since Georgia has roughly 1/3 of the remaining salt marsh left on the Eastern Seaboard, the stewardship of keeping it clean is essential. Did you know it’s nobody's “job” to remove trash from the marsh? Removing trash from the marsh does not fall under the duties of Glynn County, the City of Brunswick, the Georgia DNR (unless a derelict boat), or the US Coast Guard. Since it’s nobody’s job, volunteers are the only solution to marsh trash removal. KGIB Executive Director Lea King says, “It is a HUGE thing that folks volunteer their time with us to pick up marsh trash. Think about it: the only means to remove marsh trash is via VOLUNTEERS! So, these volunteers are invaluable!”
There are currently four scheduled Marsh Madness clean-ups:
On Thursday, March 1 at 2:00 p.m., join GA Department of Natural Resources, SeaTow Brunswick, SouthEast Adventure Outfitters, KGIB, and other groups at Overlook Park in Brunswick. Cleanup area will be the marsh and edge along Highway 17 from the Sidney Lanier Bridge north to the FJ Torras Causeway.
On Sunday, March 4 at 4:00 p.m., join the League of Protectors, KGIB, and volunteers at the pavilion in Gascoigne Park on St. Simons Island to clean the marsh and edge of the park.
"Cache In. Trash Out” marsh cleaning with Geocachers CITO, KGIB, and volunteers at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 24 at the Hwy 303 access road boat ramp, north side of the Turtle River Bridge in Brunswick.
Join Georgia Mallett, KGIB, and volunteers in the parking area at Howard Coffin Park soccer field in Brunswick at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 29 to clean the tidal ditch and roadway.
Safety vests, bags, gloves, and water are available with registration. It’s recommended that you wear boots, sunscreen, and bug spray. Please arrive a few minutes early to sign in and receive instructions and supplies. To register for a Marsh Madness Cleanup or for more information, email info.kbgib@gmail.com or call 912.279.1490.
KGIB also hopes to schedule at least two more Marsh Madness clean-ups during the month, so keep your eye out for announcements on the KGIB and Elegant Island Living Facebook pages and website calendars.
This island is our home and we should all do what we can to be its faithful and devoted caretakers. Providing a safe and healthy environment for our families and our wildlife by protecting our marshes and maritime forests, our coastline and our canopy, our vines and vegetation is a good way to start.
