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Footprints & Paddledrips
Volume 4 Issue 8
Newsletter of the Georgia Nature-Based Tourism Association,
October & November, 2002
Sept. Meeting Highlights
Members of the GNTA met at Midway for the Sept. 19 meeting where the
focus of the meeting was a round-table discussion of various issues and
upcoming events for the South Georgia area.
A key topic introduced by Chip Campbell of Okefenokee Adventures was
the long-standing plan under the Okefenokee-DuPont collaborative process
to purchase lands adjacent to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
so that the DuPont Corporation would not mine for titanium in these environmentally-sensitive
areas. At present no funds have been allocated for this project.
In addition, other companies are attempting to secure permission to
mine for titanium at various other locations in South Georgia and North
Florida including along the Satilla River near Lulaton.
The 2003 Colonial Coast Birding and Nature Festival was discussed with Diana
Churchill of Wilderness Southeast providing current information.
The GNTA was asked to participate as both a sponsor and as an event
leader.
A vote was taken in which it was decided that the Association will work
closely with the Festival Committee in planning and implementing this
special event. Also, it was agreed to donate $2,000 to this event with
two funds-dispersal periods.
In the afternoon a work session was held in which those present helped
in a “peel & stick” project that updates the GNTA brochure.
GNTA Annual Meeting Report
The GNTA held its Annual Meeting on September 19 at Midway. President Sheila
Willis presented a summary of the past year.
It was a year of increased participation in AREA CONFERENCES & FESTIVALS.
Officers & members represented the GNTA at a Coastal Nature-based
Tourism Workshop for Small Businesses in Meridian, the Okefenokee National
Wildlife Refuge’s “Wings Over the Swamp” Festival, Laura S. Walker State
Park’s “Special Saturdays” min-festivals, and the Rally Rural Georgia
Conference in Dublin among many.
SPECIAL DEDICATION CEREMONIES were held for sites with which the GNTA
was involved, and so members were there for the ground-breaking for a
new Okefenokee State Park near Fargo and the designation of the Okefenokee
National Wildlife Refuge and Jekyll Island as Important Bird Areas by
the National Audubon Society.
The Association held an EDUCATIONAL FOCUS SESSION entitled “Working
for Conservation & Nature-based Tourism” at Obediah’s Okefenok in
Waycross, and during regular meetings offered the public a chance to
hear SPECIAL SPEAKERS such as those from The Nature Conservancy and The
Georgia Wildlife Federation.
FIELD TRIPS were taken to numerous sites in South Georgia and the 2001
FALL EXCURSION, hosted by Marsh Tours of St. Simons Island, took place
in the Altamaha River Delta, a critical area for rare birds and marine
mammals.
STATE-WIDE PUBLICITY was achieved for the GNTA when it was featured
in the prestigious “Georgia Trends” magazine. The Association newsletter, “Footprints & Paddledrips” began
expanded membership and area profiles in 2002 including the “Members
Spotlight” feature.
NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION was changed to e-mail format and a variety of
improvements were made to the GNTA WEB SITE (www.Georgianature.org)
which is managed by Lenz Design & Communications in Decatur.
FUNDING FOR VARIOUS PROJECTS was received from grants by the Savannah
Presbytery and the Sierra Club Foundation finally released the original
funds for the GNTA.
However, the Association still has to rely on VOLUNTEER EFFORTS from
its members as there is still no paid staff available.
GNTA Contacts
Newsletter Items (by last Monday of each month)
Editor: Current President
Correspondence & Membership
President
Sheila Willis
326 Pineview Dr.
Waycross, GA 31501
912-285-0419
swillis@wayxcable.com
Vice-President.
Billing Statements
Treas. Joy Campbell
Rt. 2, Box 3325
Folkston, GA 31537
912-496-7156
Coastal Birding Festival
A Colonial Coast Birding and Nature Festival has been scheduled for
Oct.10-12, 2003 and will have as its theme “Celebrating the 100th Anniversary
of the National Wildlife Refuge System”.
This will be a major nature-based tourism event tying in various sites
located along the Colonial Coast Birding Trail.
Jekyll Island will be the headquarters and field trips, workshops, seminars,
and exhibits are being planned. The festival is anticipated to draw nature
enthusiasts from all over the United States, and even other countries,
to enjoy Georgia’s diverse wildlife and wild lands.
The purpose is to instill a sense of pride and increased awareness of
the rich history and culture of coastal Georgia as well as its diverse
natural wonders. Coastal Georgia offers a wide variety of habitats and
wildlife. Beaches, salt marshes, old rice fields, woodlands, tidal rivers,
freshwater wetlands, and more all host their own fascinating bird communities.
In addition, the event will have a positive impact on the coast’s, region’s,
and state’s economy, and multiple opportunities are available for showcasing
the festival’s sponsors.
Lydia Thompson, GNTA member and Environmental Advisor, is acting
as Event Coordinator. The Jekyll Island Convention & Visitors
Bureau, also a GNTA member, will serve as host. The GNTA is a major
sponsor, is helping with the planning process, and will have a booth
at the festival. Association members will also be on hand to provide
watercraft guide services and act as trip or workshop leaders.
Some of the other GNTA member sites scheduled to be part of the weekend
include Melon Bluff, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Savannah-Ogeechee
Canal Museum & Nature Center, & The Lodge on Little St. Simons
Island.
A website will be developed to help provide current information. For
now, contact Lydia Thompson at artworksbylydia@thebest.net or
912-634-1322.
Organizational Changes
The GNTA Board of Directors voted unanimously to make several key changes
to the Bylaws and Policies & Procedures in order to streamline the
Association as we move into a larger area of work and size, and pattern
it to fit our special needs.
Recent meetings have shown a consensus that the Regional Chapters primary
work should be in the development & execution of regional projects,
etc. In consideration of that focus, the geographic interests
of different areas of the state, travel-time factors, and other considerations,
the
GNTA was restructured. There are now 4 Organizational Districts
which are divided into 8 Regional Chapters.
The Districts are strictly organizational in nature and are to be used
in determining the selection of directors for the board. The Chapters
are the actual working entities and still serve under the State Officers
which oversee the GNTA as a whole.
These chapter units are: North District with Northwest, Northeast, & Mountain
Chapters; Greater Atlanta District with a Greater Atlanta Chapter; Central
District with Centralwest & Centraleast Chapters; and South District
with Southwest & Southeast Chapters.
The positions of Secretary and Treasurer were combined. One new Director
position was created and will be chosen from a non-member candidate in
order to increase community awareness of, participation in, & support
for the GNTA.
In order to create a uniform pattern of officer & director elections
and service-period, those elected in November for the state & Southeast
Chapter positions, and any chosen during the upcoming year for all new
chapters & the board of directors, will serve in an interim-position
until the 2003 annual meeting. At that time all officers and directors
may be re-elected for an additional full term.
The time period for submitting (in writing) proposed Amendments was
reduced to 15 days. Member votes may now be done via e-mail or fax.
Officer Elections Set
Officer elections were postponed until the November meeting. Lynn
Carter (lscarter@baxley.org) will serve as Acting
Secretary for the receiving of votes which may now be sent via e-mail.
Candidates are as follows: President (Sheila Willis, current
president; Chip Campbell, current director); Vice-president (Karen
Arms, current v-p); and Secretary/Treasurer (Joy Campbell,
current treasurer).
November Meeting & Fall Excursion Set
The GNTA will meet on Nov. 19 in Baxley at the office of the Baxley-Appling
Co. Board of Tourism (www.baxley.org). Lynn Carter, Director,
will serve as hostess. The focus will be a round-table discussion of
ongoing GNTA projects and local issues.
The Annual Fall Excursion will take place at the A. Randall Tuten
Environmental Park in Baxley. The site contains several ponds,
a wooded stream, and hiking trails. It has received recognition as
a STAR site by various conservation and state agencies.
November Agenda
9:30 a.m.---Officers Meeting
10:00 a.m.---Morning Refreshment Period
10:30 a.m.---General Meeting
12:00 p.m. ---Lunch (at a local eatery).
1:00 p.m.---Fall Excursion (A. Randall Tuten Environmental Park, Baxley)—until
2:00 p.m.
Members’ Spotlight
The GNTA is composed of a variety of individuals & entities who
all believe that conservation and commerce are inter-connected. Nowhere
is this more evident than in the field of Nature-based Tourism.
There is a shared sense of responsibility to our communities and our
natural resources. Also, GNTA members believe in the importance of looking
past artificial boundaries of city, county, & state limits and those
that separate various agencies & organizations.
Each of us can reap benefits by examining the work & ideas of others.
In order to learn more about the individual members of the GNTA & the
focus of their work, a "Members' Spotlight" column is presented
here with excerpts taken from the members' brochures, flyers,
and other information sources. Additional members will be highlighted
on a regular basis.
Jekyll Island Convention & Visitors Bureau/Welcome Center
In recognition of the value of Jekyll Island, a state law was passed
in the 1950’s concerning future development that decreed that “65% will
remain a nature preserve for future generations to enjoy.” This formerly
privately-owned island is now leased by the state to the Jekyll
Island Authority, which is comprised of a board of individuals from the
business,
government and education arenas.
The Mission Statement for the Authority is revealing. It includes the
phrase that the Authority “shall provide trustworthy stewardship and
conservation of our natural and cultural resources.” And again in its
Vision Statement the Authority builds-in as its standard a commitment
to “progressive stewardship”.
From the beginning, the focus was on showcasing to the world the natural
beauty and cultural heritage of one of Georgia’s Golden Isles. Interestingly,
this familiar nickname is a reference not to pirate’s gold or the gilt
of millionaire era, but to the hue taken by the salt marsh vegetation
in the Fall. So the visitor is encouraged to “Take advantage of the wonderful
opportunities to experience the diverse coastal ecosystems. From richly
preserved maritime forests to ever-changing dune systems, you are surrounded
with nature's miraculous beauty.”
The Jekyll Island Convention and Visitors Bureau was established
to help visitors enjoy their experience while in South Georgia and a Welcome
Center located on the causeway west of the island serves as a necessary
starting point by being both a source of information about the area and
as well as a unique wildlife viewing area. Their website provides an
overview of the many ways that that branch of tourism called “nature-based” can
be experienced. And at each step the connection to conservation is featured.
Some of the sections featured and their ecological messages are: Shelling
(“ample opportunity to collect a variety of shells….Some whelks are homes
to hermit crabs, so please take home only the memory of watching these
interesting creatures scurry across the sand. Sand dollars are abundant
but also living creatures. You can help preserve our shoreline by limiting
your catch.”); Bird watching (“one of 18 sites along the Colonial Coast
Bird Watching Trail… In addition to abundant year-round population, Jekyll
serves as a resting place in the spring and fall for migrating species
on the Atlantic Flyway”), and Sea Turtles (“Loggerhead sea turtles have
found a safe haven on Jekyll…The Jekyll Island Turtle Project is committed
to ensuring that nature's routine is undisturbed… and join the "adopt
A Loggerhead" program.”).
The nature-based tourist can find many environmentally-friendly ways
to learn more about the plants, animals, and natural cycles of Jekyll
Island. Guided Nature Walks are “held year-round and explain Georgia's
coastal environment.” Weekly, those offered by GNTA member Lydia Thompson are
centered on the task of locating the many bird species that can be found
here. Sea Turtles are another featured creature as during the “nights
from June into early August, the Turtle Walk Program allows interested
visitors of all ages to learn about Loggerheads and have an opportunity
to actually see a mother turtle nest.”
Specialty boat tours abound and “dolphin tours, charter fishing,
birding and coastal marsh tours are offered throughout the year.” Miles
of bike trails and walking paths have been created to provide other ways
of exploring, and a riverside fishing pier is popular with anglers. For
a change of pace, horseback rides can also be taken through the maritime
forest and on the beach and narrated horse-drawn carriage tours make
their way through the famous Historic District.
At the Historic District history & architecture buffs can join one
of the regularly-scheduled walking tours of the fabulous homes built
by millionaires of the Gilded Age who recognized the beauty of the island
and claimed it as their own.
TIDELANDS NATURE CENTER on the lower east side houses a variety
of exhibits on barrier islands and features an aquarium with fish, turtles,
alligators, and other animals native to coastal Georgia. They also allow
you to “Get up close and personal with hermit crabs, whelks, and other
marine life in the touch tanks.” Plus, kayaking and canoeing are available
seasonally.
Those connected with Jekyll Island are always looking for more ways
to involve the public in the conservation efforts to protect them. At
the Jekyll Island Campground, located underneath the majestic live oaks
on the northern end, a special “Bird Sanctuary” has been created to allow
campers and other visitors to sit and enjoy the feathered residents.
Each May the Turtle Crawl (swim, walk, run, bike or triathlon relay)
is held. “The event will… help fund the sea turtle facilities on St.
Catherines and Jekyll Islands.”
And touting the proven soothing effects of a nature-based vacation,
they emphasize that “When you arrive, you'll find the hustle and stress
of everyday life seem to drift away through the moss-draped live oaks
and swaying pines.”
Jekyll Island Convention & Visitors Bureau/Welcome Center
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