The St. Simons Land Trust has preserved and protected more than 30 island properties since it was founded in 2000, totaling nearly 1,200 acres or roughly 10% of the island. In 2020, the SSLT Board and Staff categorized and defined the types of properties that the organization is committed to protecting either through donations of land, acquisitions, or by holding conservation easements on privately owned properties. These categories include:
- Greenspaces
- Iconic Spaces
- Nature Trails
- Partner Parks
- Preserves
Land acquisitions and acceptances of donated properties are determined in thoughtful, purposeful, and strategic ways. With the input of a highly qualified Stewardship Committee (comprised of board, staff, and experts in the fields of conservation, environmental issues, and land management) and an Acquisitions Committee (comprised of board, staff, and experts in real estate, finance, and conservation), each property is carefully evaluated using stewardship and acquisitions matrixes.
Criteria by which a property is ranked include:
- risk of development,
- environmental value,
- habitat,
- historic and cultural significance,
- size of property,
- location,
- proximity to other Land Trust properties,
- purchase price,
- infrastructure needs,
- costs of perpetual management,
- impact on the community,
- public access, and other measurements.
Once acquired, each property is governed by a board-approved Management Plan that outlines use of the property and provides baseline information against which the property is monitored on a regular basis.
Below you will find protected Land Trust properties that are open to the public, along with days and hours of operation, allowed recreational activities, and historical, cultural, and environmental information about each one.
PLEASE NOTE: For the safety of site visitors, neighbors, volunteers, staff, wildlife, and the entire island, NO alcohol, drugs, or smoking are allowed on Land Trust properties. Thank you!