Dear Friends,

This month marked the 10-Year Anniversary of the Land Trust acquiring the 608-acre Cannon's Point peninsula in October 2012. On the 22nd and 23rd, we celebrated that landmark anniversary with guided hikes, children's activities, educational presentations, and acknowledgments of the countless people and organizations who made possible the $24 million purchase a decade ago and who ever since have continued to help sustain and steward the now 644 acres of Cannon's Point Preserve.

Our Stewardship Director, Stephanie Knox, and Mimi Rogers (chair of the CPP History Task Force) worked with others at the Coastal Georgia Historical Society to develop a Cannon's Point Time Line for the 10th anniversary celebration. When one looks at the line of human occupation on the peninsula, there is a remarkable recognition that during the first 4,000 to 5,000 years, almost nothing changed. It was only during the 18th Century that humans began to scar the land. Since the Plantation Era, mankind's marks on the north-end of St. Simons began to grow exponentially as we felled the forests, covered the black sand with concrete and tarmac, added rooftops and commerce.

But at least this nearly pristine peninsula, with its six miles of saltmarsh and river shoreline, with its rare habitats and highly diverse ecosystems, is now ensured of being preserved and protected for the future. That is thanks to the foresight and leadership of the Land Trust's Founders -- Ben Slade, Frances McCrary, Jeanne Kaufman, and Jim Manning -- who recognized that St. Simons would eventually be unrecognizable if the building and scarring did not stop. It is thanks to all who joined them in their vision of a culture of conservation on the island and gave so much of their lives to developing and sustaining the Land Trust.

Wendy Paulson, who, along with her husband Hank, provided more than half the funds needed to purchase and maintain CPP, has called the peninsula Georgia Primeval. When one walks the trails that wind through the maritime forest at Cannon's Point, when the only sounds are birdsong and one's own footfalls, there is the sense of indeed being swaddled in a primeval world, the likes of which no one has seen for 4,000-plus years. Thank you for making that possible and for helping us to celebrate the anniversary of saving forever Cannon's Point Preserve.

Emily Ellison

Executive Director

The beautiful fall weather welcomed nearly 150 visitors to Cannon's Point Preserve last weekend as the Land Trust and its many partners celebrated its 10-year anniversary. It truly was a splendid day! From the packed bird walks with Coastal Georgia Audubon to the maxed-out driving tour with Georgia Forestry Commission and The Nature Conservancy, to Task Force members at the waterfront with children collecting water samples and observing marine life, to a fabulous snake presentation from the University of Georgia, to the gourmet popsicles from Port City Pops, to the girl scout troop and others who learned much about pollinators from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Coastal WildScapes, to the memorable and moving performance by the Geechee Gullah Ring Shouters in that stunning setting. What a wonderful way to share Cannon's Point Preserve with the community!

Read more in this editorial from The Brunswick News HERE.

Volunteers have continued to put forth great effort to keep our trails and properties beautiful, safe, and accessible. In anticipation of the 10th anniversary celebration at the Preserve, volunteers and SSLT staff worked diligently to make sure the trails were safe and accessible. Dedicated volunteers Nancy and Ken helped to trim back overgrown vegetation along the road leading up to the ruins at the north end of the Preserve.

Volunteers can anticipate more trail trimming opportunities on the 2nd Thursday of each month. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please visit our website or email Volunteer Coordinator Marty Moody directly at mmoody@sslt.org.

Students studying Conservation Biology at the College of Coastal Georgia have partnered with the Land Trust to complete their service-learning projects at Cannon’s Point Preserve. We are so grateful for their assistance! See below for projects they've been involved in this month.

As of October 21, ten weeks of Butterflies of the Atlantic Flyway Alliance (BAFA) surveys have been completed at Cannon's Point Preserve. During those weeks, Stewardship Director Stephanie Knox, Land Steward Technician Rebecca Cushing, students from the College of Coastal Georgia, and other BAFA volunteers, counted five different species of butterflies (79 individuals) in research plots throughout the Preserve. Other butterflies were spotted outside of research plots but were not added to the data collected.

Learn more about BAFA surveys HERE.

Rebecca Cushing, our Land Steward Technician, has coordinated with students to conduct surveys of the invasive plant species present across several SSLT properties. The data collected by this group will be used to inform Land Trust management practices to prevent the spread of invasive species and promote native biodiversity.

Pictured here is a student from College of Coastal Georgia removing the invasive species tree of heaven.

The Land Trust welcomed its first-ever Junior Ambassadors this month! Made up of juniors and seniors from Glynn Academy, Brunswick High School, and Frederica Academy, these 12 students are passionate about land preservation on St. Simons and are ready to share that with the community.

We are thankful this inaugural group of Junior Ambassadors has chosen to be a part of the Land Trust's mission, and we are grateful to our Land Trust Ambassadors who have helped make this exciting initiative a reality.

The Land Trust Ambassadors hosted another Cocktails for Conservation gathering this month. Several young professionals (and their kids!) showed up to enjoy each other's company and learn more about the Land Trust's important work. Thank you to Mellow Mushroom for having the group and to all who came out in support!

Giving Tuesday is a day of philanthropy that circles the globe in a fast 24 hours, bringing together people from all walks of life and all nations in a universal show of giving back.

On November 29, 2022, the St. Simons Land Trust will once again participate in this global day of philanthropy and we hope that you will join us!

This year, we encourage our supporters to use this exciting day of giving to renew or upgrade their Land Trust memberships, become a new member, or purchase Tribute Gifts in honor or in memory of loved ones. Thank you, as always, for your generosity and support!

With tremendous support from more than 50 local businesses, their thousands of patrons and clients, and the entire community, the Pennies for Preservation voluntary giving program is celebrating FIVE YEARS of protecting St. Simons.

Since the program was launched in 2017, it has raised more than half a million dollars to help acquire the Oatland Hasell properties on the island’s north end that were vulnerable to development.

The businesses that brought us to the 50th partner milestone are MMI Hotel Group properties Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hotel Simone located on St. Simons Island.

Read more about this significant anniversary HERE.

Join us in welcoming one of our newest Pennies for Preservation partners,

One of the Land Trust's newest Pennies for Preservation partners is Travelmation, owned by Heather Honaker, an independent travel agent on St. Simons Island. With three years of experience under her belt, she uses her knowledge and resources to help her clients plan the perfect trip. Whether you are booking a family vacation to Walt Disney World or an all-inclusive honeymoon, Heather will spend her time researching, planning, and booking while you have all the fun. With expertise in planning trips to Jamaica, Walt Disney World, the Bahamas, and more, she promises to plan your vacation with the same excitement as if she were planning her own.

As a Certified Autism Travel Specialist, Heather is also happy to provide planning and travel services to individuals and families traveling with those with special needs.

Heather is participating in the Pennies for Preservation program by generously donating 1% of her proceeds. Thank you, Heather and Travelmation, for helping preserve St. Simons!

and the Land Trust's dedicated Pennies for Preservation partners.

Pennies for Preservation businesses raise funds to preserve and protect St. Simons Island.

1) Collecting a voluntary 1% or specific dollar amount donation from

their customers' receipts/invoices.

2) Donating 1% of their companies' proceeds or services.

If you have visited the John Gilbert Nature Trail recently, you probably noticed the new Leopold benches that have been added along the path.

For his Eagle Scout project, Vincent Forgione, part of Troop 248, removed dilapidated benches from the property and built and installed three new benches with assistance from his troop.

From Peru to Michigan, our Land Trust hats went along for several hiking adventures this past month. Thanks to all who brought their hats along and shared their pictures.

While our online store is temporarily shut down, SSLT hats can be purchased in-person from our office at 1810 Frederica Road. We hope you'll come and see us!

November 4-6: Shrimp and Grits Festival, Jekyll Island.

November 12: Lime Rick Burn at Fort Frederica National Monument

November 12: Coastal WildScapes Fall Paddle Trip - Okefenokee Swamp

November 13: Guale Preserve Endurance Run by Quintanar Running Co.

November 15: SSLT Live Oak Society Reception. Frederica Golf Club. Renew your Live Oak membership HERE.

November 17-20: RSM Golf Tournament Hosted by Davis Love III

November 29: Giving Tuesday

December 10: General Oglethorpe's Birthday Celebrations at Fort Frederica

December 10: Moonlight and Mistletoe, Coastal WildScapes Annual Fundraiser and Oyster Roast, Altama WMA

January 21, 2023: SSLT Annual Oyster Roast