Preservation Just Makes Cents

A world unto itself is one way to describe your surroundings when you walk down the long sandy driveways through two parcels of land that were once part of St. Simons Island’s historic Oatland Plantation. Nestled within maritime forest thick with live oaks, pines, palmetto, and other indigenous coastal plants are tracts of more than 70 combined acres of Oatland North that the St. Simons Land Trust acquired in 2018. Through agreements developed with the properties’ former owners, the acreage is being purchased in installments by the Land Trust over the next three years.

Assisting with this major land conservation project are literally thousands of individuals, including residents, part-timers, and vacationers, who are customers and clients of popular local businesses. The businesses themselves are loyal partners of the Land Trust and serve as facilitators of a voluntary giving program that was launched in October 2017.

Sara Baker, who developed and manages the program, said that the initial idea came from donation programs started at The Cloister at Sea Island Resort and Barbara Jean’s Restaurant. In 2001, Sea Island began including a voluntary Land Trust donation of two dollars per each night’s stay at The Cloister. Shortly thereafter, businessman Jim Barta, who co-owns Barbara Jean’s Restaurant with his wife Barbara, started something similar. “Jim began asking his diners to donate twenty-five cents with every meal purchased to support the work of the Land Trust. He knew that a quarter is not much money to tag onto the price of a nice meal, but that those quarters quickly add up into sizable amounts,” explains Baker. “They were true visionaries in thinking that small contributions from many could make an enormous, positive impact on the whole community.”

That initiative inspired that small contribution concept became a highly successful giving program that quickly grew from a few participating restaurants to include retailers, service providers, multiple lodging companies, art galleries, and media partners. In 2019, the program won the Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Hospitality Award for Partner of the Year. With more than 30 business partners serving the needs of thousands, the vision held by Sea Island and Jim Barta of community-wide support for land conservation had become a reality.

As a way to mark the third anniversary of the initiative, and to build on the concept that many small coins can soon fill a large jar, the Land Trust decided to refresh, rebrand, and rename the program to say just that. This month, the original 1% for St. Simons program is being relaunched as Pennies for Preservation, A Voluntary 1% Giving Program. Program partner Clay Caldwell from Commonground Creative made the brand come alive with a new identity.

“It’s truly pennies that most people are contributing when they participate in this totally voluntary program,” added Baker. “And, as Jim Barta showed us, pennies really do add up.” In fact, the countless small contributions have created funds that are sizable enough that the program’s business partners wanted to make certain the money went to something tangible. And lasting. Since few things more lasting than the preservation of land, especially seventy-plus acres of marsh-fronted, forested land with historic significance, important habitat for rare plants and animals, and other high-value environmental features, the Land Trust’s leadership completely agreed. With input from its program steering committee and partners, instead of Pennies for Preservation revenue going into a general land acquisition account, the Land Trust has designated those contributions to help pay for and conserve forever the Oatland properties.

The two tracts of land are comprised of roughly thirty-five upland acres each and are located on Lawrence Road on the island’s north end. The northernmost tract, that contains an inholding where Bascom Murrah’s animal rescue, The Farm at Oatland North, is located, is contiguous with Cannon’s Point Preserve. The southern tract also has an inholding that is owned by Murrah’s sister-in-law, Jackie Davis. The two properties together have more than 500 acres of protected marshlands. Adjacency to the salt marsh creates an important connection to the lower Altamaha River corridor, a rich estuary that has been listed as a high priority for conservation since the 1970s by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR) and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Services.

×

1 of 2

Oatland Marsh

John Krivec Photography

Oatland Marsh

×

2 of 2

Oatland Soil

John Krivec Photography

Oatland Soil

Except for the Davis and Murrah homes, the land has remained relatively undisturbed since it was purchased by the parents of Jackie Davis, Barbara Hasell Murrah, and their brother Nat Hasell. Their father Buddy Hasell was a native of St. Simons Island who, before World War II,worked as manager of the McKinnon St. Simons Airport, later served as a caretaker for Little St. Simons Island, and had a long and distinguished career as a pilot. After retiring from Eastern Airlines as a captain, he and his wife Jackie returned to their beloved St. Simons and built their dream home overlooking the marsh at the eastern edge of the Oatland property. Evidence of human occupation dating back thousands of years has been discovered on this land, including environmentally important shell middens created by Native Americans. What became known as Oatland Plantation, where Sea Island cotton was grown, was previously owned by colonist James Bruce, whose descendants still own many acres south of the former Davis property.

In setting up management plans for the Oatland tracts, the Land Trust followed conservation best practices it had established with other properties, including Cannon’s Point Preserve. The management of that 608-acre wilderness area is informed by professional expertise from six task forces that provide invaluable advice in the areas of recreation and infrastructure, history, education, and conservation of environmental attributes. More than thirty task force members represent state and federal agencies, colleges and universities, conservation organizations, NGOs, foundations, and others in the scientific and environmental communities. With so many dedicated experts from the University of Georgia Marine Extension, College of Coastal Georgia, GA DNR, TNC, Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Preserve, Georgia Forestry Commission, Coastal Georgia Historical Society, Little St. Simons Island, and many other institutions actively collaborating with the Land Trust in the ongoing management of Cannon’s Point, the Land Trust and its Pennies for Preservation partners are excited that the former Murrahproperty will soon be rolled under the CPP Ecological Management Plan. And with TNC holding and monitoring the conservation easement on these combined 643 acres, Pennies for Preservation proceeds will indeed be ensuring tangible and lasting benefits to St. Simons Island.

Such concrete, positive impact is evidenced by the protected ecosystems found on the Oatlandtracts. These natural areas provide essential habitat and ample food sources for wildlife, including protected and rare species of birds such as the wood stork and the painted bunting, a species that nests on the acreage during summer months. In addition, several bald eagles that roost in the vicinity use the area for foraging. The properties’ salt marsh also performs invaluable services such as reducing storm surge, minimizing erosion, supporting essential habitat for fisheries, and provides habitat for manatee and the diamondback terrapin, a species of concern in Georgia.

Acquiring the Oatland properties represents land conservation at its finest. It’s an example of multiple organizations, businesses, and countless contributors collaborating with one another to protect and preserve a community’s most cherished assets and ensuring those assets remain healthy and viable for future generations. “The program donations are only one penny of every dollar,” says Pennies for Preservation program partner Justin Henshaw, owner of Henshaw Companies, which includes Fuse Frozen Co. and Golden Isles Wedding Association. “But they add up to be a substantial amount, making a significant impact on protecting St. Simons.”

FAST FACTS ABOUT SSLT

HISTORY: SSLT was founded in 2020 by a small but dedicated group of local residents who were concerned about increased high-density development and congestion on the island and wanted to preserve the finest qualities of St. Simons Island.

MISSION: To preserve the island's natural and scenic character and to enhance the quality of life for present and future generations.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Over the past two decades, this community institution has preserved and protected more than 1,000 acres including the 608-acre Cannon’s Point Preserve, 70-acres at Oatland North, and multiple pocket parks and green spaces across the island. SSLT also led efforts with local, state, and federal agencies as well as private and corporate foundations that resulted in the development of preserved public-use areas such as Frederica Park, Neptune Park, and the network of biking paths across the island.

GOVERNANCE: SSLT is governed by a nearly 20-member board of directors and managed by a staff of four fulltime employees and three part-time employees. The organization is an accredited member of the national Land Trust Alliance that ensures an ethos of excellence in all operational functions.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT: The Land Trust has more than 1,300 active members who provide annual support for land acquisitions, land management, and education and outreach efforts. In addition, the organization is funded by grants from private foundations, governmental agencies, and bequests. The St. Simons Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Become a Member: Join the more than 1,300 members who share a commitment to land conservation. As an annual supporter of SSLT, your contributions go directly to preserving the scenic and natural qualities of the island. All members receive special discounts to events, regular e-blasts, e-newsletters, and other communications throughout the year and one of the popular St. Simons Land Trust car decals. For more information, contact Membership Manager Raleigh Kitchen at 912.638.9109 or rkitchen@sslt.org.

Volunteer: The Land Trust’s dedicated corps of volunteers utilize their skills, knowledge, expertise, and passions to make lasting community impact. Plus, they do it all while having fun.Cannon's Point docents claim that their days at the Preserve are their favorite days of the week. Volunteer opportunities range from leading tours and educating visitors at Land Trust propertiesto maintaining trails, repairing structures and equipment, helping with events, and assisting with administrative projects. For more information or to find out how to receive training and become a SSLT volunteer, contact Volunteer Coordinator Marty Moody at 912.638.9109 or mmoody@sslt.org.

Join the Legacy Society: A growing number of SSLT supporters have become members of the Legacy Society by including the Land Trust in their estate plans, thus continuing their investments in protecting St. Simons Island in perpetuity. For more information, contact Executive Director Emily Ellison at 912.638.9109 or emellison@sslt.org.

Become a Pennies for Preservation Partner or Corporate Sponsor: To learn how to participate in Pennies for Preservation – A 1% Voluntary Giving Program or to become an annual business sponsor, please contact Program Manager Sara Baker at 912.638.9109 or onepercent@sslt.org.

For additional information about the St. Simons Land Trust, please call 912.638.9109, drop by their offices at 1810 Frederica Rd., or visit their website at sslt.org.

Photos by John Krivec Photography