The leadership of the St. Simons Land Trust in seizing the opportunity to acquire Cannon’s Point hopes to protect these 617 acres that are profoundly beautiful, ecologically important and historically significant.

Here, amid an intact maritime forest of Live Oaks hemmed by saltmarshes and tidal creeks, fragile ecosystems and wildlife habitats thrive.Cannon's Point is linked with the lower Altamaha River delta, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world. From Native-American archeological sites to the ruins from Cannon’s Point antebellum plantation era, the site also has important historic and cultural value.

The vision for Cannon’s Point is to set aside, in perpetuity, all of its 617 acres as a quasi-wilderness preserve, managed as a model for ecological stewardship. Open to the public, Cannon’s Point would offer passive recreation and low-impact educational and historic interpretive programs for visitors.

Joining forces with the Land Trust are leading conservation organizations throughout the state, including The Nature Conservancy, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Ossabaw Island Foundation, Ossabaw Island Education Alliance and Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, along with the College of Coastal Georgia and the Coastal Georgia Historical Society. With their support and involvement, the Land Trust has assembled four, highly focused project Task Forces–Conservation and Stewardship, Education, Recreation and History. These specialized groups have defined recommended usage, implementation and management plans for specific facets of Cannon’s Point. Comprised of natural resource specialists, biologists, ecologists, archaeologists, historians, educators and others from the public, the Task Forces’ comprehensive recommendations will ensure that Best Practices are implemented and sustained.

In the upcoming campaign to preserve Cannon’s Point, the Land Trust recognizes that the challenges of acquiring and stewarding this unique and important property are great. Yet the Land Trust is confident that the benefits, for all of us, are even greater.

The St. Simons Land Trust
Vision and Success

From our founding over ten years ago through a series of planning sessions over the years, the St. Simons Land Trust has shaped an ambitious vision. This vision aspires to "a series of parks and natural areas throughout the Island connected by a trail system, and the protection of tree cover along our major roadways."

Great progress has been made and we are now on the threshold of realizing our ambitious goals.With the possibility of completing several land transactions, including Cannon's Point and recent commitments to expand the trail system, significant results are in the offing. None of this would be possible without the steady financial support from our loyal membership base of over 1,200 individuals and families–300 of whom are Live Oak Society members making annual financial commitments to the Land Trust of $1,000 or more. Stay with us, exciting things are ahead!

Ben Slade Named to
Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame

Congratulations to Ben Slade, Executive Director of the St. Simons Land Trust and a Past President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Georgia. Ben has been named a 2011 inductee into the Georgia Boys & Girls Clubs Hall of Fame!

Mr. Slade’s selection was approved by a panel of distinguished executives and leaders chosen from the ranks of retired and current Boys & Girls Club professionals, board volunteers and alumni. The award ceremony will be held October 20 in Duluth, Georgia. Congratulations Ben!