What does it really take to protect a piece of land — and prepare it for the community to experience? For the first time, the St. Simons Land Trust is taking you behind the scenes.
Land Protection Revealed is a new four-part video series following the transformation of Spears Preserve at Harrington, the Land Trust’s newest protected property, from acquisition to its eventual opening to the public. Over the course of the series, viewers will see the many layers of work that happen between protecting a property and welcoming visitors to it — from understanding its history and conservation significance to planning trails, preparing the land, developing interpretation, and creating a meaningful experience for the community. And for Episode 1, we’re beginning where every conservation story begins: with the land itself.
Episode 1: Before the Trail
Located in the historic Harrington Community, Spears Preserve protects more than 15 acres of marsh-front maritime forest in one of the most densely developed areas of St. Simons Island. It is the last large undeveloped tract south of the Lawrence Road and Frederica Road roundabout and represents land that was cared for by one family for more than 150 years.
To understand why this property matters, Episode 1 looks beyond its natural beauty to the history of Harrington itself. Following the Civil War, the area between North and South Harrington Roads became home to formerly enslaved people and their descendants, eventually growing into the largest African American community on St. Simons Island. The Historic Harrington School remains an important place for preserving that Gullah Geechee heritage.
The episode also introduces the legacy of Mrs. Elouise Spears, whose family was among the last in Harrington to retain its original land. Mrs. Spears carried forward generations of stewardship and helped give voice to the familiar phrase, “Don’t Ask, Won’t Sell” — a declaration that the land represented far more than property. It held memory, identity, culture, and responsibility.
In 2024, the St. Simons Land Trust purchased the property from Mrs. Spears’ daughter and son-in-law, Natalie and Joe Dixon. The acquisition was made possible by a transformational bequest from longtime St. Simons residents Steve and Miranda Hires, allowing the Land Trust to protect the property without launching a capital campaign or taking on financing.
Follow the Story From Protection to Public Preserve
Today, Spears Preserve remains largely as it has been for generations: maritime forest, palmettos, marsh, wildlife, and quiet. But that is only the beginning of the story. Throughout the four-part Land Protection Revealed series, we’ll bring you along as plans become reality — including the creation of the Elouise Spears Heritage & Nature Trail, an earthen trail that will eventually invite visitors to experience the property through birding, hiking, reflection, and learning.
Land conservation is often celebrated at the moment a property is protected. But in many ways, that moment marks the beginning of the Land Trust’s work. With Land Protection Revealed, we hope to share more of that work with you — the decisions, partnerships, stewardship, planning, and care that go into protecting special places for generations to come.
Watch Episode 1: Spears Preserve at Harrington below and stay tuned as we continue the journey toward opening Spears Preserve to the community.
Read other latest Land Trust news by clicking the link below.