Category: About

By Michelle Kaylor

JIA GSTC Rehabilitation Manager

The Jekyll Island Authority’s Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC) has historically had a significant number of diamondback terrapin (DBT) hatchlings—743 since 2007! What may be unknown to many is how these little turtles end up at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.

During the spring and summer nesting season—from April to July—many females are tragically struck by cars while searching for dry and high ground and crossing the Downing Musgrove Causeway—aka, Jekyll Island Causeway. Most of the time, the eggs are completely crushed. However, on a few occasions, the eggs are still intact.

All injured and deceased females found on or near the causeway are brought back to the GSTC. If the eggs are intact, they are collected. Terrapins that are still alive are stabilized and then induced with oxytocin so that they are able to lay their eggs naturally. Once the eggs are delivered, rehabilitation technicians take measurements (mass, length, and width) and place them in an egg container filled with a substrate—a commercial egg incubation material made from volcanic glass). The egg containers are then placed in incubators and checked periodically for signs of mold, non-viability, and hatching.

Terrapins, like all other turtles, display temperature-dependent sex determination. In other words, the temperature of the egg determines the hatchling’s sex. Male terrapins are produced when incubating egg temperatures are below 82˚F and females when temps are above 86˚F. The temperature range between 82˚F and 86˚F can produce either male or female turtles at the time of hatching. In order to make up for the loss of females on the Jekyll Island Causeway, the GSTC incubators are set to 86-87˚F.

During the 2019 DBT season, 90 terrapins hatched between July and August for the GSTC’s “Rear and Release” program. New hatchlings are monitored for a week while their umbilicus (the remnants of the yolk sac) absorbs into their body. From there, hatchlings are put into small white tubs with water, and the salinity (salt level) is gradually increased. Once new terrapins begin eating well, they are moved to a larger display tank.

For the next eight or nine months, these “girls” will be cared for and monitored. The goal is to help them develop to a substantial size so that they have a greater chance of survival in the wild. The hatchlings are fed a combination of krill, turtle pellets, and reptomin (turtle food) every day. Finally, the following May and June, they are systematically released into the wild as the nesting season begins again.

There is nothing more gratifying than watching these animals—from the moment they are first found on the road still in their eggs; to their birth as they poke their heads out of their shells; to their learning to eat, swim, and grow; and finally, to their release back to the marsh.

The 2019 diamondback terrapin season could not have been successful without the support of the Jekyll Island Foundation’s donors. To help the GSTC with terrapin rescue and research efforts for the 2020 nesting season, visit Help Diamondback Terrapins.

By Ray Emerson

JIA Lead Park Ranger

While spring may be thought of as the time of rebirth and renewal, particularly in nature, that time occurs in the fall for those of us in conservation. That’s the time of year when the Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) return to Jekyll. Whether it be sightings on the electrical towers in the intracoastal waterway, soaring in the skies above the island, or on the primary nest down the Crane Road bike path, we know a new season of life is about to begin.

From about Thanksgiving weekend through the first week of December we watch for a behavioral change, specifically one of the pair constantly on the nest, indicating incubation has begun. About 35 days later behaviors change again as one or both parents can be observed tearing off small pieces of prey and dipping into the nest to feed one or more tiny mouths within. Several days later, if we’re in the right place at the right time, we catch a glimpse of a fuzzy little head (maybe more than one) peering out over the rim of the nest.

The eaglets grow quickly and by the end of March, are nearly the size of their parents. They can often be seen flexing their wings and working their way up into the highest limbs above their nest. Sometime after the first of April they’ll take that initial leap of faith, soaring out over the marsh as they take their first flight. Soon afterward, they’re gone, leaving the nest to strike out on their own at a time when Mother Nature has ensured the most favorable conditions for them to establish and flourish.

Bald eagles are not typically hot weather birds, and Jekyll’s are no exception. Thus, migration begins in the fall with the eagles moving north until the process begins again. In regard to the cute little eaglets, we don’t know what happens after they’ve fledged as we don’t tag or identify them in any way. But sentimentally, as I see juvenile eagles around Jekyll, I often say to myself: “I bet I knew you when you were just a fuzz ball in your nest.”

Coastal Georgia’s value to birds as a migratory stopover and a seasonal refuge is immense. Your generosity enables the Foundation to do everything we can to make sure Jekyll Island is part of the conservation solution for birds—from research and monitoring to educational partnerships and programs.

Donate now to help migratory bird conservation and research efforts on Jekyll Island.

By Terry M. Norton, DVM, DACZM, Director and Veterinarian

JIA Georgia Sea Turtle Center

During the winter months the Georgia Sea Turtle Center commonly receives cold stunned turtles, often from other parts of the country, such as Massachusetts. Each year the GSTC creates a “naming theme” for these patients. One year the theme was ice cream flavors and a young green turtle patient that year was named “Chocolate.”  For the first couple of months, Chocolate was a routine case, requiring only basic supportive care (fluids, antibiotics, good nutrition) and was ready for release after about 8 weeks.  

Unfortunately, just prior to release, the left-side bottom (called the plastron) of his shell appeared enlarged. New X-ray equipment purchased with the generous help of Jekyll Island Foundation donors, provide much higher quality images in less time.  Staff X-rayed Chocolate and discovered a large mass in his body cavity.  Further CT imaging was pursued to determine the extent and location of the mass.  A needle attached to a syringe was carefully and sterilely placed through the skin into the body cavity and into the mass where a large amount of clear fluid was withdrawn.  The diagnosis was a large cyst. 

Once diagnosed, less aggressive treatments, diagnostic monitoring, and draining of the cyst were done initially to help Chocolate. But these methods did not result in his improvement.  Thus, exploratory surgery utilizing another piece of donated equipment from JIF – a laparoscope (sterile telescope with a camera on it) was used to better evaluate the cyst and its location which assisted in determining the next course of action.  Shortly thereafter, surgery was performed to remove the cyst, which was next to the testicle.  Microscopic examination revealed the mass was part of the reproductive tract. 

Chocolate did great after surgery and was successfully released 12 months after admission. Great news indeed!  For a more detailed look at Chocolate’s case, an article was recently published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science.   

To support the ongoing work of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and patients like Chocolate, text GiveJekyll + $ amount to (844) 889-2692. 

By Stephanie Jackson

JIA Museum Educator

April marks the one-year anniversary of the opening of Mosaic, the Jekyll Island Museum. Housed in the old Jekyll Island Club Stables, Mosaic pays tribute to its roots. Walking through the old stable doors, you can catch glimpses of its equestrian beginnings throughout the building. Upon entering the gift shop, remnants of the old individual stables are still evident, along with initials of the club members who kept their horses there. Looking up you will see what remains of the old hay loft, and in the rear is the only remaining horse and stable, who will neigh as you approach. While he may not be a real horse, guests are invited to submit a name for him, which we update weekly!

Throughout our first year there have been several new additions to Mosaic. In honor of the anniversary of the 19^th Amendment, a new women’s suffrage exhibit, ratified on August 18, 1920, greets visitors as they enter the lobby.  The four-paneled exhibit beautifully illustrates the story of the Suffrage Movement even as it continues nearly 100 years later. Filled with images and information, the exhibit is an excellent summary of the trials and tribulations of the movement. Stay tuned for upcoming programs highlighting the active role Jekyll Island Club families had in the fight for women’s right to vote.

Another new exhibit highlights the first transcontinental phone call. Theodore Vail, President of AT&T, was on Jekyll Island when the call took place on January 25, 1915. This event marked the opening of the transcontinental phone line, allowing people to talk to one another from coast to coast. There are several commemorative items from this historical event in the exhibit, including a gavel made from one of the telephone poles used to make the historic call.

Phase I – The renovation and re-purposing of this beautiful, interactive facility – from gallery to classroom, aka “The Tack Room” – was made possible thanks to hundreds of Jekyll Island Foundation donors and partners. We extend our gratitude to JIF and the many guests who have come through our stable doors. We couldn’t have done it without YOU!

Phase II – Jekyll Island Foundation is pleased to kick-off fundraising efforts for Mosaic Phase II – Outdoor Education Space, with a lead grant from the Friends of Historic Jekyll Island. “The Paddock”, as it is aptly named, will provide an additional and substantial outdoor learning environment for the new Mosaic facility. For more information or to partner to build “The Paddock”, visit Mosaic Initiative.  

To learn more about exciting new historic tours and programs, including an upcoming series called “Spilling the Tea”, visit Historic District Events & Programs.

By Descendants of Charles Stewart Maurice

Get to know one of Jekyll Island’s architectural treasures—the newly restored Hollybourne Cottage.

Structurally Extraordinary

Built in 1891, Hollybourne is a Jacobethan-style, two-story property that once belonged to a prominent bridge builder—Charles Stewart Maurice. The cottage is unique since it’s the only one of that era to be constructed with tabby—a concrete mixture of lime, sand, and shell.

Originally, this nine-bedroom living space (12,271 square feet!) accommodated Maurice, his wife, Charlotte, and their nine children. Maurice’s bridgebuilding experience factored into the design: large open rooms on the ground floor, no support beams cluttering the space, and wooden trusses with long steel bolts supporting the second floor.

Cottage and Family History

While the Maurice family lived in the cottage, the house was a gathering place for members of the Jekyll Island Club! There were frequent teas and dinner parties, and Charlotte Maurice, the ever-gracious hostess, kept a menu diary of each event.

Sadly, Charlotte died in 1909 of typhoid fever. But even after Charles’ death in 1924, the family remained loyal Jekyll Island Club members, and daughters Marian and Margaret particularly enjoyed using the cottage every season.

However, in 1947 the state of Georgia bought the entire island through eminent domain. The daughters were so bitter over losing Hollybourne that they not only never returned to the Georgia coast, but also insisted on bypassing the entire state on their winter treks to Florida.

More Recently at Hollybourne

The coming years were not kind to what was once one of the island’s showcase cottages. The house remained empty and fell into disrepair. But in 1998, the Jekyll Island Authority commissioned the Getty Conservation Institute to conduct studies of the house, which resulted in a climate control system to keep further damage at bay.

Since that time, much has happened. The house has served as a learning lab for preservation. Seasonal volunteers, interns, contractors, and preservationists have been working together to stabilize and re-create this amazing historic structure.

In recent years the Maurice family returned to the island and reestablished connections with their old family home. Descendants of Charles and Charlotte Maurice gathered there in 2017 to celebrate the marriage of great-great granddaughter Holly Maurice McClure and Joe Martin. A private dinner at the house during that wedding weekend marked the first time the family had been together in the house since 1942. And the Maurice family’s original dining room table from Hollybourne Cottage was restored for the special occasion.

Although there is still much work to be accomplished, renovations are far enough along for the house to be open occasionally for private and featured tours. Its preservation story is too beautiful not to share. Soon, we hope the cottage will be open to the public on a regular basis—for the very first time.

Will you join the Maurices and the Jekyll Island Foundation in telling the next chapter of the Hollybourne story? To learn how you can help preserve and interpret this historic cottage for public enjoyment, please click here.

By John Bennet

JIA Marketing Communications Manager

The annual Jekyll Island Turtle Crawl—taking place March 14, 2020—is shaping up to beat its own record.

Previously a triathlon-focused race, the event was revamped last year to offer new race formats and attract a wider variety of participants. The decision has proved to be a wise one, as nearly 1,000 people participated in the 2019 Turtle Crawl 10K, 5K, and family 1-mile Fun Run. With early registration numbers at an all-time high, 2020 participation is on track to surpass last year’s totals, which is good news for patients at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.

Since 2003, Turtle Crawl has raised more than $100,000 to support the GSTC’s mission of sea turtle research, rehabilitation, and education. Once the domain of elite athletes, Turtle Crawl now appeals to people of all ages and abilities, according to Jekyll Island Authority events manager Ainsley Toal, who organizes the event.

“Turtle Crawl has truly become an event for everyone, and it’s been especially fun to see parents and children running and walking together for a cause,” she said. Racers three years old and up can participate in the Fun Run/Walk, which is held on the beach.

Still, even with Turtle Crawl’s broader appeal, it remains popular with more competitive runners, Toal said. The 10K is a qualifier for the AJC Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta, with medals awarded to the first, second, and third place finishers, both males and females, and by age groups. The Turtle Crawl course, which follows the shoreline and winds through maritime forest, is also famous for being fast, flat, and offering out-of-this-world scenic views.

“They are truly racing virtually,” Toal said. “They receive the same t-shirts as participants who join us on Jekyll Island, so they can wear them proudly wherever they are.”

By Joseph Colbert

JIA Wildlife Biologist

Muhly grass—or “sweetgrass”—meadows are a rare coastal habitat found only in four states along the south Atlantic east coast. These meadows are some of the most productive wildlife habitats found along the Atlantic east coast, harboring high populations of small mammals and predators that rely on them. Muhly meadow habitats have been widely reduced due to their locality along beaches being converted to coastal development.

Muhly grass also has cultural significance as it has been historically used by Native Americans and Gullah-Geechee peoples of the southeast to make beautiful baskets.

This January, JIA’s conservation department used prescribed fire to maintain a restored muhly meadow along Beachview Road. Using fire helps maximize the grass community and prevents bushy trees like wax myrtles and pines from taking over. When the conservation department implements a prescribed fire, they choose conditions that allow for a methodical and safe fire that can be controlled. Burns are accomplished early in the year as it warms up so the plants in the muhly meadow may begin growing back right away.

The overall goal of a prescribed burn is to restore, maintain, and enhance muhly meadows on Jekyll Island for visitors, residents, and wildlife to flourish and enjoy these rare and beautiful habitats.

By Stephanie Jackson

JIA Museum Educator

The preservation of Hollybourne has been a project near and dear to many hearts for over twenty years. The Bridge Builder’s Cottage, as it is often referred to, is unique among the many cottages on Jekyll Island. This project, while long from complete, is allowing us to preserve the beauty of the cottage for future visitors to the island. Many volunteers have donated their time to the project over the years, and many groups such as the Jekyll Island Foundation have helped to fund renovations for the cottage. In recent years, Jekyll Island has brought on a preservationist to oversee the project and to assist our wonderful volunteers. Taylor Davis, Jekyll Island’s historic preservationist, began his preservation journey at Hollybourne. He has been involved with projects on the island since 2004, back when he was an intern here on the island. Taylor’s appreciation for Hollybourne is evident the moment you ask him about the building:

“The incredible thing about Hollybourne is that it was shuttered since the beginning of the state era. The fortunate thing about this is that because it was shuttered, there are no changes from the mid-century such as painted wood trim that we have had to correct. Now that we are in the process of preserving the cottage, we are very thankful for our dedicated volunteers and the Foundation. Thanks to everyone’s hard work, we are able to return the cottage back to its original state.”

But there is a lot more work to be done. If you are looking for a small way to help support this project, while getting a chance to see the interior of the cottage, then join us for a special tour of the Bridge Builder’s Cottage! Tours will take place every Saturday during the month of May. Each tour will be led by one of our knowledgeable guides and provide an opportunity to see the beauty of this unique cottage. As tours are only offered at special times during the year, they fill up fast. Sign up today in order to reserve your spot on this special behind-the-scenes opportunity! Register on Ticketleap.

By Breanna Ondich

JIA GSTC Research Specialist

“Throughout the summer months (May – August), the beaches of Jekyll Island become more than just a place to stroll, collect seashells, and catch breathtaking sunrises. During the evenings, these beaches are visited by female loggerhead sea turtles determined to lay their eggs without interference. About 60 days later these same beaches are paths to a new life for hundreds of loggerhead hatchlings.”

If it were 1999 you could have picked up a brochure with these words, encouraging you to learn more about The Jekyll Island Sea Turtle Project’s “Adopt a Loggerhead” program, which would have allowed you to follow the progress of the enormous sea turtle you saw while on a guided tour the night before. Long before the inception of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, many dedicated Jekyll Island Authority staff and volunteers helped raise money for their sea turtle monitoring and conservation work by allowing visitors to symbolically adopt a nesting loggerhead sea turtle. For $35, your adoption would have included an official certificate, photograph, hatching announcements, turtle sticker, key chain, and a poster! One of the turtles you could have adopted twenty-one years ago was Althea, and she returned to nest on Jekyll Island last summer.

Althea is the oldest known turtle we have on our growing list of nesting mothers, based on the fact that we know she was given her first set of flipper tags in 1992. You have got to give this turtle some credit, not only because of her longevity but also because of her ability to overcome the odds in a sea full of threats. Althea has five healed parallel lacerations bisecting her carapace from an unfortunate, but luckily non-fatal, interaction with a boat propeller. Boat strikes are a top threat to sea turtles in coastal Georgia, and while many sea turtles do not survive interactions with vessels, Althea pulled through on her own and is now a key data point in our ongoing study assessing injuries among the sea turtles that visit Jekyll Island.

The deep, permanent scars on Althea’s back remind us why we are working tirelessly around the clock to study these ancient animals. When the days are long, our research team feels grateful for the gears that keep us rolling forward, such as our UTVs. This summer Jekyll Island is expected to be busier than ever, not only with booming tourism but also with nesting sea turtles like Althea! Our team covers many miles every day and every night in the course of our education and conservation work, and it is all thanks to the support of the Jekyll Island Foundation and its network of donors.