The St. Simons Land Trust is proud to recognize Cliff Gawron as the recipient of the 2026 Dorothy Gilbert Award, the organization’s highest honor. Presented annually, this prestigious award recognizes an individual or business that has made significant contributions to the Land Trust’s mission of preserving the natural and scenic character of St. Simons Island.
Cliff serves as the Director of Landscaping and Planning for the Jekyll Island Authority and is a valued member of the St. Simons Land Trust’s Stewardship Committee. With decades of experience in landscape architecture, natural resource management, and conservation, Cliff has dedicated much of his career to protecting and enhancing the landscapes that make the Golden Isles such a special place.
Through his work on Jekyll Island, Cliff has played an important role in preserving native tree canopies, restoring natural landscapes, and promoting thoughtful land management practices. His extensive knowledge of native plants, coastal ecosystems, and sustainable landscaping also makes him an invaluable resource to the Land Trust.
As a member of the Land Trust’s Stewardship Committee, Cliff has generously dedicated countless hours to providing guidance on native landscaping, tree health, and habitat enhancement across protected properties. Beyond sharing his knowledge and expertise, he has also donated numerous native plants from Jekyll Island’s greenhouse to support the Land Trust’s landscaping and restoration projects. His willingness to share both his time and resources has made a meaningful and lasting impact on the Land Trust’s stewardship efforts.
The Dorothy Gilbert Award is named in honor of the late conservationist and philanthropist Dorothy Gilbert, whose extraordinary generosity helped shape the Land Trust’s conservation legacy. In 2006, Dorothy donated a 40-acre marshfront property along Frederica Road, now known as the John Gilbert Nature Trail. Her gift continues to provide a place for residents and visitors to experience and appreciate the island’s natural beauty.
Like Dorothy Gilbert, Cliff understands the importance of protecting these special places for generations to come. His commitment to conservation reflects the very spirit of the award and the mission of the Land Trust.
Reflecting on the importance of land preservation, Cliff shared:
“The development pressures on St. Simons and the Golden Isles in general have done nothing but become more intense with every passing year, and the mission of the SSI Land Trust to preserve the quickly disappearing green spaces is so critical not only for our Island’s sense of place, but for the quality of life for all of us that call St. Simons Island our home or special place to visit.” — Cliff Gawron, 2026 Dorothy Gilbert Award Recipient
The Land Trust is grateful for Cliff’s dedication, leadership, and willingness to share his time and expertise in support of conservation. His contributions extend beyond the landscapes he helps protect today, leaving a lasting impact on the natural beauty and environmental health of our coastal community.
Congratulations, Cliff, and thank you for your continued commitment to preserving the places that make St. Simons Island so special!