As a member of the St. Simons Land Trust, you can be sure that your dollars go to work directly in our community to preserve the scenic and natural qualities of the Island.
The St. Simons Land Trust has closed on the second phase of its acquisition of a portion of Musgrove, the former home of Nancy Reynolds Bagley and of her son, Smith Bagley, on St. Simons Island.
Under a three-phase agreement with the seller, the Brenn Foundation, this acquisition is the second of three parcels that will total 260 acres of the 450-acre property. The first phase totaled 58 acres, and the second phase adds another 90 acres.
Just off Lawrence Road in the middle of St. Simons Island sits a unique ecological treasure. Called Musgrove, it's home to rare habitats and plants, plus the highly productive link between the saltmarsh and adjacent uplands. Among the 840 acres that the Land Trust has preserved throughout St. Simons in the past 16 years -- including Cannon's Point Preserve, the Old Stables Corner, the John Gilbert Nature Trail and Frederica Park -- Musgrove is the newest acquisition.
Two companion bills were introduced in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives in January that would allow for the expansion of Fort Frederica National Monument and lead to the purchase of 20 adjacent acres of land currently owned by the St. Simons Land Trust. Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson and Rep. Buddy Carter introduced the bills, which would expand the cap on the size of the park from 250 acres to 305 acres. The United States House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 494, the Fort Frederica National Monument Boundary Expansion Act, on February 6. The legislation now awaits review by the U.S. Senate's Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Almost 1,000 Land Trust supporters feasted on oysters, low country boil, and signature dishes and desserts from dozens of local chefs at the 17th Annual Oyster Roast on January 14.
Supporters of the Park at Harrington on St. Simons Island celebrated the opening of the island's newest park at an event in December 2016.