Twenty-Five Years. A quarter of a century. This is how long the St. Simons Land Trust (SSLT) and its many supporters have partnered to protect the finest qualities of our beautiful island through conservation efforts such as preserving the tree canopy, protecting habitat, limiting rooftops and creating greenspace. They continuously strive to provide locals and visitors with places to hike, bike, go birding, and simply feel connected with nature.
Today, the Land Trust protects and properly manages nearly 1,400 ecologically, culturally, and historically significant acres across St. Simons – roughly 14% of the island’s uplands. A few of the community’s favorite properties include the John Gilbert Nature Trail, the Old Stables Corner, and Cannon’s Point Preserve. Most recently, SSLT has added Correll Trail at Oatland on the north-end of the island, Gateway Property on the south-end, and 2404 Frederica Road along the Frederica Greenway to its list of 36 protected parcels.
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None of this important work would have been possible if not for visionaries like Frances McCrary, Ben Slade, Jeanne Kaufmann, Jim Manning, and others who founded the Land Trust 25 years ago. And it certainly wouldn’t remain possible without the organization’s 1,000+ annual members, 20+ sponsors, and 40+ Pennies for Preservation partners.
The Land Trust’s only major fundraiser throughout the year is its Oyster Roast. Taking place on the new rescheduled date of February 22, 2025 (due to Winter Storm Enzo), at Gascoigne Bluff Park on St. Simons Island, this homegrown, annual event is one the Golden Isles community looks forward to every year. And while local oysters are a main attraction, the event is about far more than eating. The Land Trust hosts its annual Oyster Roast fundraiser to gather the community together in the name of coastal conservation. The event brings awareness to the organization’s important work and helps raise money to preserve the natural and scenic character of St. Simons -- a cause that anyone who knows and loves the island can get behind.
The first SSLT Oyster Roast was held at Village Creek Landing in 2000 (the same year the organization was founded) with 70 guests in attendance. But 70 people was far more than had been expected. The oysters were soon gone and had to be supplemented with hotdogs and other quickly purchased food. As the event grew over the years, so did the venue (and the amount of food!) that was required. The Oyster Roast soon moved to Fort Frederica and included a lovely array of buffet items such as fried chicken and low country boil. Finally, after reaching ticket sales of more than 600, it relocated permanently to Gascoigne Bluff Park where more than 1,200+ tickets are sold and nearly 20 local restaurants provide delicious coastal cuisine for its attendees.
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The person in charge of working with those nearly 20 restaurants for the 2025 Oyster Roast is St. Simons local Amy Debreceni. “Shortly after moving to St. Simons, I attended the first annual Oyster Roast. And I’ve been to almost every one since – as both a patron and a vendor. Because I’ve worked in the service industry here for almost 20 years, last year the Land Trust asked me to coordinate the restaurant side of the event – and I had a blast! Working to get so many of our outstanding local chefs together at beautiful Gascoigne Bluff was incredibly rewarding. I’m working now on the 25th Anniversary celebration in January and hope to have even more participating restaurants than in 2024. Can’t wait to see y’all there!”
The Land Trust’s staff is quick to say that they wouldn’t be able to host the event without the help of the 30+ other businesses and community leaders that support the organization. The top of that list includes Charlie Williams, owner of Crab Daddy’s Seafood Grill and Fiddlers, who for the last 20+ years has brought his own steamer to the event and works with his staff for hours to keep the steamed oysters coming all night long.
Also on that list are Steve and Sandy Schoettle, owners of Sea Island Forge, who provide multiple fire kettles to keep attendees warm. Together with other staff and volunteers, they also shovel up mounds of fire-roasted oysters. The event would also not be the same without the help of Bob Thompson who not only spends the night on the grounds but donates his boilers to help Chef Dave Carrier cook hundreds of pounds of Low Country boil.
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“It absolutely would not be possible without the many restaurants and businesses who give so generously,” says Emily Ellison, the Land Trust’s Executive Director. “These partners provide us with special menu items, with staff time, and with financial support. If we didn’t have this tremendous help and a happy band of dedicated, hard-working volunteers, there is no way we could pull off such an event.”
The Land Trust staff also knows the Oyster Roast would not be possible without its nearly 150 event volunteers. These dedicated supporters begin helping months before the event, lead efforts to set up the day of, assist with parking, check-in all 1,200+ attendees, serve food and drinks, ensure trash and recycling are handled properly, and break down the event afterwards. On January 25, they will be there once again in their red SSLT Volunteer Aprons. And with the growing number of guests and food booths at the event, their help will be needed more than ever.
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In addition to oysters, there will be Low Country boil from Woodside along with local barbecue, soups and chowders, desserts, and more. At the 2024 event, offerings included creamy mushroom and shrimp risotto from Sal’s Neighborhood Pizzeria, Sapelo clam pizza from Schroeder’s Market, shrimp and grits from Wolf Island Oyster Co., country-fried chicken bites from Sea Island, and other specialty items from the chefs at Del Sur Artisan Eats, Dorothy’s Cocktail & Oyster Bar, Georgia Sea Grill Collective, Southern Soul Barbeque—so we can’t wait to see what there is this year!
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While coastal cuisine and the magical ambience of the event are certainly among reasons to arrive on January 25, the live music will keep you there! In 2025, for the first time, the Oyster Roast will feature multiple musical talents including The Gowen Family Band, Michael Hulett, Elli Perry & Andrew Sovine, Owen Plant, and others.
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Once you’ve eaten your weight in oysters, made rounds among the many restaurants, taken photos inside the Dahlia Photo Booth, and purchased some Land Trust swag, we hope you’ll leave with a renewed passion to continue investing in land preservation on St. Simons. You can do this by becoming an annual member of the Land Trust, training to volunteer or become a docent at Cannon’s Point Preserve, signing up to become an annual Sponsor or to join the many other local businesses who are Pennies for Preservation partners, or getting plugged into the organization’s Ambassador program.
For those of you who are already a part of the Land Trust’s family of supporters, we genuinely thank you. Your generosity means more than you’ll ever know and is making real impact on St. Simons. We look forward to celebrating our 25th Anniversary with you in February.
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The 25th Anniversary St. Simons Land Trust Oyster Roast:
Date & Time: Saturday, February 22, 2025, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Gascoigne Bluff Park, St. Simons Island
Fare: Oysters - Low Country Boil - BBQ – Fried Chicken – Desserts -- Other Southern fare from local restaurants - Beer - Wine - Live Music
Tickets: $125 Order online at sslt.org beginning January 7, 2025.
Current Land Trust members receive a special discounted rate of $95, with early access to ticket purchases, beginning January 6, 2025. Note: Discounted member price is limited to four (4) $95 tickets per household.
**AS OF JANUARY 9, ALL TICKETS ARE NOW SOLD OUT**
Learn More: sslt.org
