Cannons Point Preserve Hiking Trail
When efforts began to conserve the more than 600 acres now known as Cannon’s Point Preserve on the north-end of St. Simons Island, Hank and Wendy Paulson, owners of Little St. Simons Island, were at the forefront partnering with the St. Simons Land Trust to lead the charge. In their stewardship of Little St. Simons Island (LSSI), the Paulsons have demonstrated a profound commitment to conservation and preservation that is part of the ethos of LSSI. Longtime partners in coastal conservation, the Land Trust and the Paulsons are working together again.
Today the partnership between the two barrier islands is strengthened by The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island’s participation in the 1% for St. Simons Program. The program is a consortium of local businesses working to protect St. Simons Island in partnership with the St. Simons Land Trust, a community institution founded in 2000 to preserve the historic, cultural, and environmental features of the island. 1% for St. Simons is a voluntary giving program, with contributions used for land acquisitions, education and outreach, and public access to parks, waterways, and wildlife preserves.
Little St. Simons Island offers 11,000 acres of undeveloped wilderness and seven miles of pristine beaches for exploration and relaxation. Immediately upon arrival, guests become aware that environmental protection is a way of life on LSSI, touching every facet of the island and guiding its daily operations. St. Simons Island, on the other hand, is one of the only islands on Georgia’s coast that does not have significant federal or state protection from development. However, land conservation on St. Simons helps to provide a vitally important buffer between the more developed areas of Glynn County and the world-class Altamaha River estuary and serves as a protection from storm surge. These two barrier islands – one the little sister to the other – are neighbors separated only by marsh and a stretch of the Hampton River. One is privately owned, accessible only by boat to day-trippers and overnight guests. The other is roughly the size of Manhattan and is home to nearly 15,000 permanent and part-time residents.
The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island has retained the charm and unhurried pace of coastal living. Moss-draped live oaks and glistening marshes surround comfortable accommodations for no more than 32 overnight guests. To arrive there, visitors must have a reservation and take a boat from the marina near Hampton Point. Traveling down Lawrence Road to the marina, visitors experience the wilderness corridor created by the hundreds of acres of land that the Paulsons and the Land Trust have worked to preserve. “Hank and I have supported the work of the St. Simons Land Trust since 2011 when the land trust led the effort to protect Cannon’s Point,” says Wendy Paulson.
The southern portion of the Altamaha estuary, the Hampton River, tidal waterways, and the salt marsh that lies between Little St. Simons and St. Simons provide feeding and nesting areas for migratory and resident shorebirds, sea turtles, manatees, dolphins, and numerous other wildlife species, and serve as protection from coastal storm surge.
“We believe that conserving natural areas on St. Simons Island is critical on many fronts,” adds Mrs. Paulson. “In addition to providing important habitat for native wildlife, and helping to protect the Altamaha delta, these preserves become platforms for nature education and give the public easy access to landscapes that have changed little over the centuries, allowing people to experience the extraordinary character and beauty of the Georgia coast.”
Little St. Simons Island remains virtually undeveloped. While guests enjoy accommodations and services of the highest caliber, the dedication of the island’s owners and staff to maintaining the natural ecological state of the island remains foremost. Daily guest activities are led by naturalists and are designed to encourage an appreciation for and understanding of the island and its ecosystems. It begins the moment guests set foot on Little St. Simons Island, where most ornamental plants on the grounds of The Lodge compound have been removed and replaced by native varieties. It continues with three daily meals that include vegetables, fruits, and herbs grown in the island’s organic garden.
The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island is an ideal getaway for individuals, groups, families, family reunions, retreats and business meetings. Stays are all-inclusive of accommodations, boat transfers to and from the island, three prepared meals daily, beverages including soft drinks, beer and wine, all activities including naturalist-led excursions, and use of recreational equipment. Visit littlestsimonsisland.com or call 888.733.5774 to learn more.
If your business would like to participate in the 1% for St. Simons Program, please contact Sara Baker at 912.638.9109 or onepercent@sslt.org.
