Cannon's Point Ruins
Plan to be in Atlanta for the Georgia Conservancy’s annual gala, ecoBenefête, on October 4. Our very own Ben Slade III, executive director of the St. Simons Land Trust, will be honored as the 20th recipient of the Conservancy's Distinguished Conservationist award and recognized for his dedication to the conservation of St. Simons Island and its surrounding salt marsh. The award honors the remarkable achievements of a great Georgian who improves our lives through the protection of our environment. Past recipients include Will Harris III, Cody Laird, Jim Kennedy and Congressman John Lewis (D-Atlanta). Ben helped found the St. Simons Land Trust in 2000, served as the board’s first chairman and currently serves as the land trust’s executive director. Through his leadership, the Land Trust has blossomed from a small, homegrown organization to one that boasts a membership of more than 1,200 households and to date has protected 776 acres on the island. A major victory was the purchase of 604-acre Cannon’s Point. Championed from start to finish by Ben, the acquisition quadrupled the area of protected land on St. Simons. Cannon’s Point has more than six miles of salt marsh, tidal creek and river shore line and is the last intact maritime forest on the island. The property will be managed as a public preserve that will include trails for hiking and biking, launch points for canoes and kayaks, and educational opportunities for visitors. Slade has made the preservation of Georgia's most visited barrier island one of the foremost goals of his life. His vision is of an island whose natural and cultural heritage can be enjoyed by its residents and visitors. The Georgia Conservancy applauds his successful career as a conservationist with the St. Simons Land Trust and is honored to award him the Distinguished Conservationist award at ecoBenefête. For more information, please visit georgiaconservancy.org/ecobenefete.
