Tag: conservation

Meet Our Donor: Caryl Rice

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

Caryl Rice isn’t claiming her story of how or even why she now finds herself on Jekyll Island as unique. In fact, she isn’t entirely clear what brought her here to become a full-time resident, other than the obvious: proximity to the ocean and beaches, the dazzling sights of sunrises and sunsets, the aged oaks and cool seasonal breezes, the annual calendar of activities, plus the hidden gems she has specifically found for herself hidden among the island’s unique geographical location and unrivaled place in American history.

All that, and the fact her brother was an avid golfer, came together in the mid 70s as the fates aligned, to make sure Rice knew the Jekyll gem existed.

On second thought, she said, those reasons do bond nicely to form a solid case for why Jekyll Island was, first a family getaway, and now, has become a stand-out in her seasoned life as a very attractive place to lay warmer roots.

My late Husband, Ted, and I stopped on Jekyll in the mid 80’s on the way to Florida, and it was as if everything aligned, being in the right place, at the right time,” she said. They purchased their first Jekyll home at what is now Villas by the Sea when they first were offered for sale as condominiums.

The Rice’s rented their condo to vacationers for 11 years and then decided to find a permanent future retirement home, which they did in the mid 90s.  They continued to rent their “new” Jekyll house until 2010 when they remodeled and made the house into a home.  After years of traveling back and forth to the Island from Ohio, Rice and her husband made a permanent move. It didn’t take long to become part of the Jekyll community.  Ted never knew a stranger and became active in the Jekyll Island Citizens Association and Rotary.  Caryl focused her attention on the Jekyll Island Arts Association, the Jekyll Island Ladies League, and the Great Dunes 9-hole ladies golf league. As a couple, they were members of the Sand Dollar Club, the Jekyll Singers, and the Jekyll Presbyterian Community Church.

Now decades later, Jekyll Island is not merely a beautiful escape from the less-than-pleasant winters in her native home up north, but has become one big neighborhood, where full- and part-time residents keep an eye out for one another to ensure their well-being.

Especially this year, Rice has truly appreciated the kindness of island friends.  It was with the passing of her husband that she received a constant flow of love and positive energy from so many dear friends, “in a way you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else,” she said.

Rice does have an eye for beauty, and she creates artwork which often reflect this inner glow she has about her. In a technique which may or may not have a specific label, she creates unique works of art which involve fabrics, thread, and a bit of paint.

The Jekyll Island Art Association classification for her work is “fiber arts,” but, it’s not a fully encompassing title for the art Rice is learning to master. As tricky as crafting her pieces may be, and then explaining what it is and how it was made, Rice’s pieces are fascinating.

Simple or complicated, the words to describe won’t be needed later this year, when Rice offers pieces of her works for viewing on the walls at the Jekyll Island Art Association, housed in Goodyear Cottage.

“I rarely show my work to people, especially not in this wide of a forum,” she said. “I have worked on pieces for this show from the summer of 2022 and will still be working on more through October.  I don’t want to say I have worked frantically to create pieces for show, but I will say plenty of time went into creating unique pieces that aren’t seen in many other places.”

When not on the golf course or working on her artwork, Rice can often be found tucked away in some of the more secret spots on the Island. These are places lesser known to guests who meander through the historical timelines of the Jekyll Island Club Resort (formerly Hotel), opt for seeing the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, or taking their bicycles to the tabby walkways for the seemingly never-ending bike path around the state-owned Island.

While Rice may be a bit shy about showing her personal art works to the public, she is more than happy to share the loveliness of the Island with fellow appreciators of the arts. She volunteers regularly with the Jekyll Island Art Association and loves to share the Island with her son and his family when they come to visit.

She knew right from the moment she and her late husband stepped onto Jekyll; this place was calling her home. And since moving here full-time, that magic feeling of home is the same as what so many of the Island’s long-held dwellers and new residents feel.  The Rice’s love of Jekyll Island is what led them to donate to the Jekyll Island Foundation.  It continues to be Caryl’s way to support the many Foundation projects that help the Jekyll Island Authority keep the island vibrant and that add to the wonderful story of Jekyll.

“There is something so special about this Island,” she said. “It’s the unique place in where it is situated in the world.”

And as for those secret hiding places she likes to tromp off to when she has a moment or afternoon to spare? Well, everyone will have to find their own special Jekyll hiding spot, because she isn’t willing to reveal her tucked-away place of serenity among the Island’s 5,500+ acres and 10 miles of shoreline.

Guardians of the Night – Dark Spaces, Bright Secrets

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

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

Chimney swifts and bats are two amazing creatures that share a love for dark spaces. They are both nocturnal creatures, active at night feeding on all the pesky biting insects, like mosquitos and gnats, that try to spoil every tourist’s perfect vacation. During the day they prefer to hide in dark spaces like tree cavities, but significant reductions in standing dead trees have forced these swifts to search for other sources of shelter and refuge. As a result, it’s not uncommon for chimney swifts to take up residence in man-made structures that they can access readily, such as chimneys. Bats have likewise lost many of their roosting trees to residential and commercial development over time, and natural forces such as storms. Subsequently, bats have also been known to inhabit man-made structures including attics, for refuge. Since adapting to these developmental changes, chimney swifts and bats are also losing access to these sources of shelter as homeowners seal off entry points or, in the case of chimneys in the south, no longer construct them at all.

In partnership with JIAs Conservation team, the Jekyll Island Foundation is looking to help these two species and mitigate any disappearing shelter by building houses – aptly known as bat boxes and chimney swift towers – just for them. Bat boxes and chimney swift towers provide a safe place for these creatures to live, thereby reducing their need to find other refuge and directing these animals away from residential houses. Bat boxes are small, wooden, elevated boxes that provide bats with a safe place to roost. By plugging any holes or other access points in an attic after they all leave to forage at night, they are forced to find an alternative home. A nearby bat box, if set up correctly, will lure bats away from homeowner attics. Ideally, a bat box should be small, about 16ft off the ground on a pole, and in the open sun without trees surrounding to ensure that their echolocation abilities won’t be impacted. Like bat boxes, Chimney swift towers are also wooden boxes, but they are designed to resemble the structure of a chimney and offer a source of refuge, as well as a good nesting location.

Conservation team members have captured swifts and tricolored bats in Indian Mound Cottage, Sans Souci, and Moss Cottage, usually in the dining rooms where the dining China and fragile decor are on display. Swinging nets around priceless collections is risky, but protecting both the animals and the houses is a necessity. By building Chimney Swift towers and bat boxes, chimneys and attic accesses can then be closed off to provide these animals safe alternatives for refuge and nesting.

To contribute to the ecological enhancement of wildlife diversity and support the construction and installation of new chimney swifts’ towers and bats boxes on Jekyll Island, click HERE.

Meet Our Board: J.J. Singh

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

History and a Hole-in-One: Jekyll Island Foundation Director J.J. Singh Details Drive for Preserving Jekyll Island’s Charm

Imagine a serene setting, paired with calming beach breezes, rays of island sunshine warming you just so, and then – score. A hole-in-one! Sounds perfect, doesn’t it?

The hole-in-one may not happen every time, or nearly as often as golfers hope, but the dream of making that superb shot always lingers in heads and hearts of Jekyll Island’s avid golfing community.

While he may or may not always nab that last picture-perfect moment on the links, the dream is always there for Jekyll Island Foundation (JIF) Board Director J.J. Singh, even when merely daydreaming about it back at his home in Virginia.

“The perfect day (spent on Jekyll Island) looks like 18 holes on Pine Lakes,” Singh said, adding that, thanks to the toasty temps found in his island paradise, such a perfect day is ideally “followed by the pool.”

Singh has spent plenty of time on Jekyll Island. As President of Retreat Hotels & Resorts, where he and his team have developed and operate full-service hotels, his company has provided asset management services for 747 hotel keys on Jekyll, which also includes the newly completed Courtyard & Residence Inn by Marriott.

As part of the group which developed The Westin Jekyll Island, Singh said he is proud of the responsible renovations and rehabilitation completed in recent years. He also noted the Beach Village has been the most meaningful change and refreshed detail seen on the island in the past decade or more. Seeing the Jekyll Island Convention Center built responsibly and respectfully from the ground up within the serene setting of the beach-front acreage on the Island was, and remains, purely “monumental,” he said.

“The Convention Center, the retail component, and The Westin properties all perfectly complement each other,” he said.

These renovations have played together nicely to become driving forces behind why he opted to jump on the JIF Board in the first place. He wanted to serve the Island that has been so good to him.

“Public service is very important to me. As a proud former Peace Corps Volunteer, I’m of the firm belief that individuals and businesses have a duty to the communities in which they live and work. As a hotelier on the Island, we have had the great fortune of collaborating with the Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) and the JIF on many occasions. Joining the Board of the JIF was a great opportunity to serve the Island,” he said.

Retreat has focused on sustainability in its building design. In particular on Jekyll Island, Retreat has worked closely with the JIA to protect endangered sea turtles, adopt building practices that protect the delicate ecosystem from fine construction particles, and use alternative sources of energy such as solar power.

In his long-term vision, Singh and fellow JIF board members plan to continue seeking out funding opportunities that assist the JIA in its mission to keep the state park island pristine while continuing to renovate and renew it to amplify its beauty.

“The first time I visited, I stayed in Cherokee Cottage,” he said. “I remember the charm and majesty of the historic Jekyll Club hotel.” Fundraising to preserve that history is crucial to the JIF’s mission, Singh said.

In partnership with the Jekyll Island Authority, which oversees the management and daily operations of the Island, the 24-year-old Foundation was created to raise money for Island projects which may be otherwise out-of-reach within the Authority’s operating budget on its own. Managed by up to 25 individuals, all with diverse interests in and with ties to the Island, the Foundation remains focused on raising funds for Island conservation, preservation, and educational initiatives.

As he agreeably and aptly notes, the rare beauty found in the Island’s a little more than 5,500 acres can’t be found anywhere else.

“What makes Jekyll Island special is the harmony and the balance between economic growth and conservation,” he said. “Maintaining that balance is the key for the long-term sustainability of the Island.”

For more information about the Jekyll Island Foundation, visit jekyllislandfoundation.org.

The Man Who Revived Jekyll

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

By Alexa Hawkins, JIA Director of Marketing & Communications
Excerpts: Tony Rehagen

The longest serving Executive Director in the Jekyll Island Authority’s history will clock out one last time on June 30, 2023. After serving 15 years at the helm, Jones Hooks will officially retire. With a long history of serving in economic and community development at the local, state, and federal level, Hooks’ longest role (and arguably the most impactful) has been right here in the Golden Isles.

Hooks came aboard officially in June of 2008, when the island was noticeably rundown and tourism visitation was at its lowest in decades.

With an annual operating budget of only $15 million, Hooks was charged with developing Jekyll into a tourist attraction while preserving its history and delicate natural habitat. Former Governor Sonny Perdue had earlier determined that Jekyll should be revitalized and provided the necessary budgetary catalyst. 

The crown jewel of development efforts was approval and construction of a new, more modern convention center and the adjacent beach village retail shops in 2010. This in turn brought back the international hotel chains, including The Westin Jekyll Island, which built its resplendent resort five years later. On the other side of the island, Hooks oversaw upgrades to the Jekyll Island Club Resort area and its surrounding historic cottages, as well as the total revamp of old horse stables into what today is Mosaic, the island’s museum, which documents and raises awareness of the island’s rich history.

Former Governor Nathan Deal and Governor Brian Kemp continued to support revitalization efforts led by Hooks. In all, more than $285 million in private investments and more than $82 million in public capital was spent on improvements to the island.

“He has been totally committed to Jekyll and to the renovation and enhancements that we brought,” says Bob Krueger, Vice Chairman of the JIA Board of Directors. Krueger was on the selection committee when the board hired Hooks. “His demand for quality and the team he has brought on board have helped us maintain the natural beauty of Jekyll and natural charm of Jekyll and make it a special destination.”

Today, because of Jones Hooks’ leadership and foresight, the island is everything the State of Georgia envisioned it would be when it purchased it from the private millionaire’s club in 1947.

Hooks’ 40-plus year career of service and stewardship is nothing short of remarkable. He has fully embodied the Authority’s mission as ‘stewards of a delicate balance’ and has encapsulated its special character through careful management, so it may be retained for future residents and visitors.

There is no greater goal of service for him to reach than that of retirement, and we are elated he’ll remain a supportive citizen on the island he has so deeply cared for. Jones, we hope you’ll let someone serve you for a change. And I hope it’s with a big margarita!

Send a gift and thanks in honor of Jones Hooks’ 15 years of service to Jekyll Island by clicking HERE.

Read more about ‘The Man Who Revived Jekyll’ in 31•81, the magazine of Jekyll Island.

Another RECORD-Breaking Year Y’all for 2023 Turtle Crawl

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

By Michelle Kaylor, Director Georgia Sea Turtle Center

Another record-breaking year for the annual Turtle Crawl, all in the name of supporting the Jekyll Island Authority’s (JIA) Georgia Sea Turtle Center’s (GSTC) mission of sea turtle Rehabilitation, Research, and Education. This year broke the record for participation with 1,616 participants, the most participants ever to support the event since its inception.

What initially originated as a multi-race triathlon, Turtle Crawl has evolved over the years from hosting experienced athletes through a rigorous competition to a family-friendly event accessible to all.  Of note this year, the event welcomed participants ranging in ages from 84 years young to 2 years old. Turtle Crawl also saw participants travel near and far to join in this year’s races, with representation from more than 40 states, the UK and Germany. Since its inception the annual race has raised nearly $200,000 through the generous support of both participants and donors.

Taking place annually the last weekend in April, Turtle Crawl has also become one of the most recognized events promoting sea turtle conservation initiatives and serves as the kick-off to sea turtle season and nesting on the Georgia coast. And, if you visit Jekyll Island in the fall, consider planning a trip to experience the Cold-Stunned Plunge! This companion event to Turtle Crawl will take place on Saturday, November 25, 2023, ahead of the anticipated arrival of cold-stunned patients to the Center!

For information on how you can participate or volunteer for these events click HERE and to support the work of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center Click HERE.

Horton Hears A Coo

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

by Joseph Colbert CWB®, JIA Wildlife Biologist & Dan Quinn, JIA Natural Resource Manager

It’s May, and the island’s peak bird activity season is here! Residents and guests happily greet these motivated and enthusiastic songbirds that are in full migration. Spring is in and migrant birds are singing their joyful melodies to the world and darting around the island in search of food and companionship. Some are even seeking a nesting site to raise chicks.

A favorite place to see and hear these feathery songbird friends is on the Tupelo Trail, which can be accessed from the Horton Pond parking area. Tupelo Trail was designed to provide a diverse range of habitats, boasting six in total: southern maritime live oak forest, Florida live oak forest, tupelo wetland, maritime pine forests, yaupon blueberry bush hardwood scrub forest, and open canopy redbay saw palmetto thicket. These diverse habitats host a wide variety of plants, seeds, and insects, which are exactly what hungry bird migrants need to recharge from their big spring journeys.

If you are motivated to see or hear some songbirds this spring, consider walking the ¾ mile Tupelo Trail. Some birds are easy to spot with the naked eye, like cardinals, brown thrashers, and Carolina wrens. Get help identifying bird species by using identification applications like Merlin, that can identify birds by sight or song! Then, step up your own bird identification abilities with a pair of binoculars. Binoculars are a critical bird identification tool that allow for a better look at species that like to keep a distance, such as black-throated blue warblers, painted buntings, common yellow throats, orchard orioles, black and white warblers, American redstarts, tufted titmice, and Eastern phoebes. Don’t forget to use your ears too. Some common birds are easier to hear than see, including yellow throated warblers, Northern parulas, Eastern towhees, pine warblers, palm warblers, carolina chickadees, and brown headed nuthatches. It’s the perfect time of year for bird activity. Come for a visit, bring your gear, and view the sights!

We’re grateful for the support of the Jekyll Island Foundation, who provided investor funding to build the Horton Pond viewing platform and Tupelo Trail. To contribute to similar projects that support public access to nature-based recreation and other conservation efforts on Jekyll Island, click HERE.

Meet Our Board: Johnathan Roberts

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

Jekyll Island has been a part of Johnathan Roberts’s life from an early age. During his childhood in Blackshear, Georgia, his family enjoyed day trips to the island, often boating and fishing or visiting his extended family, the Van Iderstynes. Embarking from the Jekyll Marina to nearby Cumberland Island and Christmas Creek became one of Johnathan’s favorite things to do with his dad. The Jekyll Island Club Resort’s Grand Dining Room became his mom’s favorite place to celebrate her birthday with its rich history and charm.

As a young adult, Johnathan settled on St. Simons Island, and he visited Jekyll even more often. Boating trips from St. Simons to Jekyll and fishing around the rivers became a frequent hobby.

In 2009, Johnathan started Roberts Civil Engineering, which offers civil design, construction services, municipal consulting and program management services in St. Simons Island and beyond. By 2012, Jekyll Island Authority had become a repeat client. Some of his proudest projects include the Ben Fortson Entrance Reconfiguration, Camp Jekyll, The Cottages at Jekyll Island and the Beach Village. It was through work on these projects that he became acquainted with the Jekyll Island Foundation. “The Foundation’s value was easy to recognize,” he said. When approached to serve on the Board, he was deeply honored. “I love Jekyll Island and think it’s such a special place. I was honored to be asked to help promote and protect it.”

He loves the unique combination of nature, history and – now – the newer enhancements.

“Responsible development is and has been a hallmark for Jekyll,” he said. “The Jekyll Island Authority has taken great care to ensure a tangible connection between yesterday and today, and to maintain the balance of conservation and commercial viability.”

Johnathan, his wife Meredith, and their two children make frequent neighborly visits to Jekyll for bike rides and excursions. “During the Christmas holidays, our family has a tradition to view the impressive light displays. The Authority does a wonderful job, and Jekyll Island continues to prosper under its leadership.”

An avid runner who has competed in ten marathons to date, Johnathan also has praise for Jekyll’s trail system. “It’s second to none. The route along the ocean in the early morning is one of my favorites.”

Looking forward, Johnathan says, “My hope for Jekyll is that it continues to thrive as one of the most unique destinations in the country with an appropriate balance of the natural environment, appealing amenities and rich history.”

Meet Our Board: Thomas S. Lines

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

In Georgia—where ancestral lineage often runs as deep as the roots of the state’s prized southern live oaks—Tom Lines can trace his Golden Isles branches back to a seedling.

“My family has been in Glynn County since coming over (from England) with James Oglethorpe (founder of the colony of Georgia when it was British America) as a foot soldier,” said Tom.

Generations later, Atlanta-born Tom enjoys exploring the same territory as his distant relatives.

“Our family has had a house on St. Simons Island since the 1950s, but Jekyll Island has always been my favorite place to visit,” he said. “I can remember going to Jekyll with my grandmother to picnic and go fishing. And I was on Island the first day the Aquarama (the former indoor pool that operated for three decades) was open.”

In the years since, Tom believes Jekyll has only gotten better. “It’s remarkable what the state government—through the Jekyll Island Authority (JIA)—have done to protect and preserve the area,” he said. “There is so much untouched beauty, undeveloped land, and distinct character. I hope it stays this way.”

Tom also appreciates that Jekyll remains approachable and affordable for families. “From the beaches to the Historic District and everything in between, Jekyll has something for any age or budget to enjoy.”

Having said that, he does wish for more people to know the Island better. “I would love to see Jekyll become a destination for young people, especially youth golf, and I think value accommodations that fall between the campground and hotels—like the yurts the JIA are building—will help this happen,” he said.

He also believes amenities such as Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center have a greater capacity for youth and visitor education. “The outdoor classroom at Mosaic (under construction) and the (planned) renovations to the Turtle Center will be amazing opportunities to engage more schools and to raise the visibility of Jekyll to world-renowned for its conservation and preservation efforts.”

He cited a recent collaboration between the JIA, the Jekyll Island Foundation (JIF), and the Friends of Coastal Georgia History in the Island’s St. Andrews Beach Park as a successful example of this type of meaningful education, outreach, and impact. “The Wanderer Memory Trail is a very important exhibit, and it was done very well,” he said, speaking of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Slave Route Project site of memory that commemorates where The Wanderer, the second to last documented ship to bring an illegal cargo of people from Africa to the United States, ran aground.

An avid outdoorsman, retired business owner, and current Treasurer for JIF’s Board of Directors, Tom sees nothing but potential in Jekyll’s future and is proud, happy, and humbled to have borne witness and played a small part in its evolution. “I was around when the state was thinking of releasing the Island from its State Park designation and don’t like to imagine what might have happened [had revitalization not occurred].”

He applauds JIA for the forethought that has brought Jekyll to its current iteration and feels the state-wide representation on JIF’s Board will be a key support element in helping to protect and promote what the Island has to offer.

“Jekyll is so much more than its beaches,” he said. “I love what it means to—and about—Georgia. There’s just a charm here that exists nowhere else in the state.”

Spring Forward

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

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

Spring is in the air on Jekyll Island. The songbirds are migrating, shorebirds are nesting, and flowers are showing their dramatic colorscapes. Before you know it, summer will be on the horizon, but for now, you can enjoy the pleasant weather and the majestic beauty of nature waking up from its winter slumber.

The Jekyll Island Causeway pollinator site that was planted over the winter has awoken from its slumber and is beginning to establish. As seeds from the native pollinator mix sprout, the colors are beginning to manifest, from the red, pink and white flowers of Phlox to the yellow and red flowers of Blanket Flower and finally brilliant pink Showy Primroses. A variety of Clovers and Brown-eyed Susans with their earthy tones are not far behind as the island approaches the heat of summer. The array of color combinations will continue to change as the species that were planted flourish and bloom throughout the year, providing a fresh and unique color palette for every season. Along with the native pollinators that were planted, native species that lied dormant in the soil include Peppergrass, Herb William and Spiderwort which blanket the ground with new growth, providing stability and moisture retention for the young seedlings that continue to develop.

While driving along the causeway, if you watch closely, you will see pollinators such as bees and butterflies, buzzing about with on-looking Tree Swallows and Swifts lurking to grab a quick bite. You may also enjoy the tradition of counting marsh rabbits while they feed on the young vegetation as you approach the sanctuary of Jekyll Island. Either way, guests and residents are greeted with attractive colorful native plants that provide critical resources for our diverse wildlife that make themselves at home on Jekyll Island.

This project supports the Jekyll Island Authority’s mission of responsible preservation, maintenance, and care of wildlife diversity, thanks to the contribution of a generous donor to the Jekyll Island Foundation. To contribute to the ecological enhancement of wildlife diversity and conservation efforts on Jekyll Island, click HERE.