Tag: conservation

A New Opportunity Representing a Lasting Memory

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

by Yank Moore, Director of Conservation

Nestled behind the Jekyll Island Welcome Center, overlooking the golden hues of the coastal saltmarsh, stands a beloved observation platform—a haven for birders and nature enthusiasts alike. Originally funded through the Jekyll Island Foundation over a decade ago, this quiet retreat has offered visitors a place to pause, reflect, and take in the beauty of the island’s diverse bird species.

Now, thanks to a meaningful tribute, this cherished space has received an exciting enhancement with the addition of two spotting scope viewers, one on each level, allowing visitors to enjoy an even closer glimpse of the rich avian life that calls Jekyll home. The area is a popular destination for birders, drawn by the possibility of spotting American Avocets, Marbled Godwits, and Dowitchers—species that are less commonly seen elsewhere on the island.

These new additions are more than just an improvement to the viewing experience; they serve as a tribute to the late Lydia Thompson, affectionately known as the “Bird Lady.” Lydia, who passed away in late 2022, left an indelible mark on the birding community. A passionate advocate for avian conservation, Lydia traveled all 50 states in pursuit of her love for birding, founded Operation Plover Patrol to protect Jekyll’s shorebirds, and championed the belief that birdwatching is for everyone. Her dedication inspired countless individuals, and her impact continues to be felt through the organizations she supported.

Now, with these newly installed spotting scopes, Lydia’s legacy lives on. Every visitor who pauses at the platform, gazes through a viewer, and marvels at the birdlife of Jekyll Island is carrying forward her mission—one of appreciation, education, and conservation. Through the generosity of those who knew and admired Lydia, her spirit will forever be part of the landscape she so dearly loved.

Supporting Bird Conservation on Jekyll

The Jekyll Island Authority’s Conservation team has been dedicated to bird conservation through research, monitoring, and habitat restoration. The Jekyll Island Foundation has been a vital partner in supporting these efforts. If you’d like to contribute to bird conservation on Jekyll Island, click here.

Rehabilitation: Lifesaving breath

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

by Dr. Shane Boylan, GSTC Veterinarian

Reptiles’ “cold-blooded” nature can be both a blessing and a curse in veterinary medicine. The term “cold-blooded” describes reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates in our Jekyll Island ecosystem. These animals regulate their body temperature based on their environment, unlike “warm-blooded” animals like mammals and birds, which maintain a constant body temperature through metabolism. Cold-blooded animals typically have body temperatures that match their environment, which is usually colder and slower than that of mammals or birds. They change their behavior to adjust their body temperature, such as pond turtles sun-basking on logs to warm up after swimming in cooler water.

Cold-blooded physiology allows these animals to use less energy and oxygen, helping them survive in conditions that would overwhelm warm-blooded animals. However, their slower metabolism can make anesthesia more challenging.

Anesthesia involves using medications to make a patient unresponsive to pain. “Local” anesthesia numbs a small area while the patient remains awake, like at the dentist. “General” anesthesia makes the patient completely unconscious for more complex procedures. During these procedures, the veterinary team monitors and maintains critical functions like heart rate and breathing. Since the patient can’t breathe on its own, staff must manually ventilate the patient every 2-3 minutes until recovery. Reptile recoveries can take hours to days due to their slower metabolism, which is exhausting for staff.

The recent purchase of a ventilator, funded by the Jekyll Island Foundation, highlights the importance of donor contributions. The ventilator helps patients breathe during and after surgery and can accommodate various animals, from two-hundred-pound loggerhead sea turtles to two-pound diamondback terrapins. It improves care reliability, especially for long sea turtle recoveries that can exceed twenty-four hours.

The patients and staff at the GSTC are very grateful for the support from the Jekyll Island Foundation and island visitors. Your contributions directly benefit local wildlife. If you’re interested in supporting the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, click HERE, or to learn more about the Jekyll Island Foundation, visit jekyllislandfoundation.org.

Birding for Beginners

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

by Yank Moore, JIA Director of Conservation

Birding on Jekyll Island: A Beginner’s Guide

Birding is a rewarding and enriching hobby that connects individuals with nature. For beginners, diving into the world of birding can be both exciting and overwhelming. Jekyll Island is a birder’s paradise offering over 300 documented species. From tiny Northern Parulas to majestic American White Pelicans, this barrier island is teeming with avian life. Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher or just starting out, Jekyll provides a diverse and accessible environment for observing these fascinating creatures.

Where to Spot Birds

  • Viewing Platform: Located behind Guest Information at the entrance to the gate.
  • St. Andrews Beach Viewing Platform: Located at the end of the Wanderer Memorial Trail, this platform offers stunning views of the beach and its birdlife.
  • Horton Pond Viewing Platform: A great spot for observing waterfowl and other water-loving birds.
  • ME Thompson Memorial Bridge Deck: This elevated walkway provides opportunities to see birds in the surrounding marsh and woodland habitats.
  • Bike Trails: Jekyll Island’s extensive network of bike trails offers many opportunities for birdwatching as you explore the island.

Tips for Beginner Birders

  • Start with the Basics: Familiarize yourself with common bird species in your area by investing in field guides or downloading birding apps. These resources can help you identify birds based on their appearance, habitat, and behaviors.
  • Practice Patience: Birding requires patience and attentiveness. Spend time quietly observing your surroundings, listen for bird calls, and scan the area with your binoculars. Remember, birds may not always be immediately visible, so patience is key.
  • Choose the Right Time and Place: Birds are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. Plan your birding expeditions during these times for the best chance of spotting a variety of species. Visit a variety of habitats, such as forests, wetlands, and coastlines, to encounter different species.
  • Respect Wildlife and Habitat: Observe birds from a distance to avoid disturbing them or their habitats. Stay on designated trails, refrain from making loud noises, and follow local regulations for wildlife observation. Jekyll is a State Park with a goal for visitors and wildlife to coexist without conflict.
  • Embrace the Adventure: Birding is more than just checking off a list of species. It’s about immersing yourself in nature and appreciating its beauty. Approach with a sense of curiosity, enjoy the journey, and discover the wonders of the natural world.

Supporting Bird Conservation on Jekyll

The Jekyll Island Authority’s Conservation team has been dedicated to bird conservation for over a decade through research, monitoring, and habitat restoration. The Jekyll Island Foundation has been a vital partner in supporting these efforts. If you’d like to contribute to bird conservation on Jekyll, click here.

Pumps Make the Water Go Round

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

by Rachel Overmeyer, GSTC Rehabilitation Program Manager    

When guests walk into the hospital pavilion at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC), not only will they find sea turtles, but also a massive amount of…water. Water may seem like a strange thing to notice, but water, and more importantly the quality of that water, is essential to the care of the patients. Proper nutrition and medical care go hand in hand with water quality to give patients the best care that they need.

The GSTC places a strong emphasis on water quality to ensure the health and recovery of its sea turtle patients. The water in the tanks is meticulously monitored and maintained, with key parameters like pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ozone, and chlorine levels being crucial for the well-being of the turtles. These parameters are part of the marine nitrogen cycle, and their buildup can be harmful to the animals.

To manage water quality, the GSTC uses a sophisticated system of pumps and filtration loops. Each tank system has four pumps that continuously move water through three different filtration loops, ensuring it is clean and safe before returning to the tank. These pumps are essential for maintaining the water’s cleanliness but are subject to wear and tear, similar to car engines.

Additionally, the GSTC uses a heat exchanger to regulate the water temperature, which is vital for sea turtles as they are ectotherms, or cold-blooded animals, and cannot regulate their own body temperature. This system helps in gradually warming up cold-stunned turtles or maintaining the optimal temperature for other patients.

The recent purchase of new centrifugal pumps, seal kits, and a heat exchanger, funded by the Jekyll Island Foundation, highlights the vital importance of donor contributions.

If you’re interested in supporting the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, click HERE, or learning more about the Jekyll Island Foundation, visit jekyllislandfoundation.org.

Meet Our Board: Nancy Coggins Seymour

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

In 2015, I reached out to my friends Jones Hooks and Woody Woodside with exciting news: Joel and I were on the hunt for a second home on the coast, and Jekyll Island was at the top of our list. My connection with Jones goes way back to our days on Capitol Hill—Jones with Congressman Bo Ginn and me with Senator Herman Talmadge. Fast forward nearly fifty years, and it’s thanks to Jones, his wife Stephanie, and the late Woody Woodside that Joel and I decided to make Jekyll our part-time home. Their friendship has been a treasure over the years. 

In 2017, Joel and I found our dream home at The Cottages at Jekyll Island and began living there part-time. The community at The Cottages welcomed us with open arms, and I’ve made lifelong friends who have shown me a few of the island’s hidden gems: the oldest tree, the grandmother’s tree, the tree you can stand under, the Silo, and the bird sanctuary in the Jekyll Island Campground. 

Once settled, I asked Jones, then the Executive Director of the Jekyll Island Authority, if there were any special projects he was passionate about that hadn’t made it through the budget. He mentioned several, and I was immediately on board: preserving the Chichota Cottage ruins, building a bioswale along Beachview Drive at Tortuga Jacks to prevent flooding, planting wildflowers on the Downing Musgrove Causeway to beautify the drive and promote pollination, and refurbishing the Captain Wylly Pond for beautification and as a haven for turtles and birds.  

Joel retired in 2020 and, sadly, passed away at the end of 2023. I retired in June 2024 and look forward to spending more time on Jekyll. Our favorite memories were our beach walks at sunrise and sunset. My favorite routes are from The Cottages north to Driftwood Beach, north to the Fishing Pier, and west from Driftwood Beach to the bike trail through the marsh to the Fishing Pier, all while enjoying the birds and their songs. 

On June 8, 2024, surrounded by family and friends, we dedicated a bench in Joel’s and my honor. Though Joel was no longer with us, his spirit was present. I chose a beautiful spot under a large oak canopy with hanging Spanish moss near the entrance to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. The plaque reads: 

Supporting various JIF projects has been a source of pride, but my true passion lies with the Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC). Turtle season is my favorite time of year. There’s nothing more thrilling than tracking nesting sea turtles, watching a turtle lay her eggs, observing GSTC staff take nest inventories, and witnessing a ‘Turtle Boil’—when hundreds of hatchlings emerge from their nest and make their way to the ocean.

Meeting the dedicated GSTC staff, including director Michelle Kaylor, veterinarian Dr. Sean Boylan, and the entire hospital and education team, especially the Night and Day Ride with Patrol teams, has been a joy. 

Giving back brings me immense pleasure, whether it’s to my local Elberton community, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Elbert Memorial Hospital where I worked for 25 years, or enhancing the beauty of Jekyll. I’m thrilled to support the Jekyll Island Foundation and work with new-found friends like JIF executive director Dion Davis and executive assistant Matt Humphrey. They do an incredible job, and JIF and its Board Members have made a significant impact on Jekyll Island over the years. 

The Foundation and Board are truly dedicated to their mission of conservation, preservation and education on and for Jekyll Island. I am honored to be part of this exceptional group of people from across Georgia and beyond. I encourage you to get involved with the Foundation and support the fantastic work they do. 

The campaign to rescue Jekyll Island’s Muhly Grass Meadows Continues!

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

by Joseph Colbert, JIA Wildlife Biologist & Yank Moore, JIA Director of Conservation 

The Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) Conservation team is very excited to share that by the end of 2024, through a partnership with Birds Georgia (formerly Georgia Audubon), Jekyll Island’s restored Muhly Grass Meadows is expanding! 

Beginning in 2022, Birds Georgia planted 7.4 acres of Muhly Grass Meadows between Tortuga Jacks and the Holiday Inn Resort (see blue section of map). By the end of 2024, additional plugs will be planted adjacent to the Holiday Inn Resort, just east of the bike path (see orange section of map). During the second leg of the restoration project, 4.2 acres turf grass will be replaced with 24,000 muhly grass plugs and other flowering plants, benefitting a wide variety of wildlife species. This will complete the grassland restoration project for this section of the island, allowing the conservation team to focus their attention on natural areas. Funding for the natural areas phase will be provided through the Jekyll Island Foundation’s ongoing Acres and Acres of Muhly Grass campaign.  

Muhly Grass Meadows occur naturally in dunes just beyond the beach and are considered a globally imperiled plant community, declining significantly across their range in the past several decades. This is especially true on Jekyll where there remains less than one acre of naturally occurring Muhly Grass Meadow. These meadows are threatened by increased coastal flooding events and succession or transition into less desirable habitats, making restoration an urgent and timely activity for JIA to address.  

This recent restoration project, implemented through Birds Georgia, has been very successful so far, but this is only the beginning of an expansive, island-wide restoration campaign focused on this habitat type. In the years to come, using the funds from the Acres and Acres of Muhly campaign, the conservation team will continue expanding Muhly Grass Meadows in naturally occurring dunes across the island where they would have been found historically. Forty acres of space on the southern section of Jekyll Island has been identified as a high priority to rescue, restore, and establish Muhly Grass Meadows. With your help and financial support, the Conservation team will turn this dream into a reality!  

We’re very grateful for funding support from donors like you, that will make this restoration campaign a major conservation success story by rescuing this beautiful and productive globally imperiled habitat from going extinct on Jekyll Island.  

Flora and Fauna

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

Joseph Colbert CWB®, Wildlife Biologist & Yank Moore, Director of Conservation

As spring moves into summer, plant growth is in full swing and sun-loving flowers are in bloom. The causeway pollinator plantings are no exception. Careful planning of species selection by Jekyll Island Authority’s (JIA) conservation staff gives an array of color combinations that will continue to change, flourish, and bloom. Throughout the year, these beauties provide a fresh and unique color palette for every season along with different flower shapes, heights, and sizes.

Spring has enjoyed a great production of spiderworts, phlox, primroses, and blanket flowers which provide an appealing medley of rich blue, white, red, and pink flowers. Moving into warmer months, plains coreopsis, black and brown-eyed susans, and a second flush of blanket flowers will yield various shapes and sizes of yellow and orange.   

Visitors and residents have expressed positive feedback and gratitude for the attractive and colorful native plants that grow and bloom along the causeway. Of course, no one is more grateful than the bees, beetles, butterflies, and a variety of other pollinators who gather nectar, pollen, and other critical resources for their survival. These seemingly insignificant ‘bugs’ play a critical role in plant life survival along with helping to provide summer favorites such as berries, summer vegetables, and melons. JIA’s conservation staff is pleased to help nurture such a valuable resource that appeals both to people and the diverse wildlife that call Jekyll Island home.

This project supports JIA’s mission of responsible preservation, maintenance, and care of wildlife diversity. We are grateful to the generous donors of the Jekyll Island Foundation for helping to make this possible.

To give to conservation projects that help restore habitats and contribute to the ecological enhancement of wildlife diversity on Jekyll Island, click HERE.

Meet Our Board: Christie Kinsey

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

It only took one visit to Jekyll Island for Christie to fall in love. It was 1976 when she first crossed the then draw bridge and saw the welcome sign to the little island that would change her life. Her cousins had moved here from New York and prompted the visit. “The beaches, the history, the wildlife, the bike paths, the oaks, the ocean – it all fueled my desire to live here one day.”

Christie longed for the island life. “From biking around to playing tennis in the Morgan Center [formerly an indoor tennis court], I thought this was paradise!” She visited as often as possible, trading in the mountains of West Virginia for the sandy beaches of Georgia whenever she could – each visit refueling her commitment to one day fulfil her dream of calling Jekyll Island home.

In 1990, she gave the island an even bigger piece of her heart, marrying her husband Tim at the historic Faith Chapel. They filled the church with their immediate family members and their cousins’ friends from around the island, saying “I do” in the beautiful light shimmering through the [one-of-a-kind Tiffany Studios] stained-glass windows.  

In 2015, Christie and Tim celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a visit to the island in search of the perfect cottage or home to purchase. “We bought our house on North Riverview Drive that week and the excitement began!” Christie still remembers the butterflies she got when they signed the closing paperwork, realizing her dream was becoming a reality. They made the move from West Virginia and began turning the house into their perfect home with some extensive remodeling. By 2020, Georgia had become their permanent resident state.

With the move, Christie knew she wanted to be involved in two things: the Jekyll Island Arts Association and the Jekyll Island Foundation (JIF). Having served on various boards during her career as a Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual, she knew the integral role that foundations have in the success of an organization. After getting involved with the Jekyll Island Foundation, she realized the immense impact philanthropy has on their beloved island, helping to fund important island initiatives and projects for the Jekyll Island Authority (JIA).

Since she’s been on the JIF board, Christie and her husband have adopted a cabbage palm tree at Faith Chapel in honor of her cousins, The Bromsteds, who first brought her to Jekyll. They’ve installed a bench in memory of their parents and planted live oaks in memory of her sisters. They’ve also been involved in the Muhly Grass restoration project, as well as the bat boxes and Chimney Swift towers projects. “The Foundation is the vehicle through which donors can help make a positive impact on the present and future of this unique place,” Christie explains.

Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to their perfect paradise, but Christie believes this little island off the coast of Georgia is one of our country’s best kept secrets. While many of her friends have chosen to retire to other beach towns along the coast, she believes the reason Jekyll will always remain the best is that it will always keep its peaceful, as-is charm, knowing it will never be overdeveloped. And working with a board that shares that vision is one of the things she loves most. “The best part about Jekyll Island is its commitment to maintaining a balance between nature and humans. The Foundation’s mission to raise funds to help conserve and preserve the Island as we know it is the primary reason I wanted to be involved as a donor and Board Member.” 

It’s been almost 50 years since Christie made her first memories on Jekyll Island, adding to them along the way with collecting shells, admiring the spectacular sunsets, getting a glimpse of the occasional alligator, or spending dinnertime crabbing in the backwash areas. Over the years, her adoration for this place has only grown. “Every day my love for Jekyll and my passion for its future increases.” She loves the life she and her husband have built here, enjoying everything the island has to offer and vowing to continue giving to it even more, offering her time and resources to be a positive piece of Jekyll Island’s ongoing progress.

Unearthing Loggerhead Nesting Mysteries

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

By Davide Zailo, GSTC Research Program Manager

Studying the management and conservation needs of loggerhead sea turtles on Jekyll Island is the responsibility of the research department of the Jekyll Island Authority’s Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC). Each spring the GSTC is proud to continue their work with these iconic species and continue one of the oldest loggerhead nesting beach projects in the world.

Thanks to generous support from Jekyll Island Foundation donors, utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) allow researchers on nighttime beach patrol to cover a large expanse of beach in order to maximize the chances of encountering as many adult, reproductive, loggerhead turtles on Jekyll.

Recently, the Foundation provided monetary support to assist with the University of Georgia’s (UGA) Loggerhead Genetics Project. This funding will enable researchers to continue collecting skin biopsies and one single egg from loggerheads nesting on Jekyll. The DNA contained in the skin biopsies and eggs provides crucial information that collaborators at UGA will use to identify these animals. In the case of the egg, researchers removing  one egg from each nest will help identify the animal even if it is not directly encountered. The skin biopsy allows GSTC research collaborators to test methods by double-checking that genetic material from a skin biopsy matches that of an egg from the same parent.

This multi-state genetics project led by UGA helps answer critical questions such as: how many nests these animals lay each year and where and how frequently they nest. Currently, the actual number of loggerhead sea turtles that nest along the Atlantic seaboard from Virginia to northern Florida (an area known as the Northern Recovery Unit for loggerhead turtles) is not known. By continuing this work, the GSTC research team are contributing to one of the most robust nesting loggerhead sea turtle datasets worldwide.

These efforts are made possible through funding received from the Jekyll Island Foundation. For more than 14 years, the Foundation has supported GSTC Research efforts through funding equipment and tools necessary to do their job.

Please join us in kicking off the start of Sea Turtle Season by taking part in the annual Turtle Crawl event on April 27,  2024, at the Jekyll Island Beach Village. Participants may choose between a 10K, 5K, 1K Fun Run or even a ‘Virtual” Ghost Crawler. This fundraiser serves as a way for dedicated patrons to support the Center and has raised over $163,000 since its inception.

Can’t come to the event but still wish to support sea turtles? Follow THIS LINK to give directly to the Center.

Thank you again for your continued support.