For those who sometimes worry about the world of tomorrow, they need only to take a look at the St. Simons Land Trust Ambassadors to know that the future is in good hands. Created to help advance the mission of the Land Trust through engagement of the area’s younger community leaders, the first SSLT Ambassadors came together in 2014.
Comprised of naturalists, artists, graphic designers, photographers, business owners, entrepreneurs, realtors, attorneys, marketers, and other young professionals, many Ambassadors are island natives who after college and graduate school decided to return home to begin their careers and families. Others who are newer to the area share a similar passion for coastal Georgia and want to make sure that SSI is preserved and protected not only for their generation but for all those who will live and work here in the future.
Over the years, the Ambassadors have produced two well-attended movie nights at the Old Stables Corner. In 2015 they led a community bike ride across the island that highlighted many of the Land Trust’s properties. And in 2019, they helped plan and execute the organization’s first-ever Trail Run-and-Fun Community Celebration at Guale Preserve.
While the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 led to the cancellation of multiple events envisioned by the Ambassadors, the group focused on developing the Passport to Preservation for children and families who live in and visit St. Simons Island.
In 2023, the Ambassadors hope to provide the community with family-friendly events such as the beloved Movie Night Under the Oaks. These outreach events are opportunities to increase awareness about the importance of land conservation in the Golden Isles.
The Land Trust welcomed its first-ever Junior Ambassador group in October of 2022. Made up of juniors and seniors from Glynn Academy, Brunswick High School, and Frederica Academy, these 12 students are passionate about land preservation on St. Simons and are ready to share that with the community.
We are thankful this inaugural group of Junior Ambassadors has chosen to be a part of the Land Trust’s mission, and we are grateful to our Land Trust Ambassadors who have helped make this exciting initiative a reality.
The 2022-2023 Junior Ambassadors include: Charlotte Truett, Emma Williams, MJ Wommack, Paris McCoy, Dillon Dixon, Coleman Harrison, Ruby George Pruitt, Ellis Long, Mary Wallace Champion, Ashley Prokop, Mary Whitney Long, and Miles Young
–Emily Ellison, Executive Director, St. Simons Land Trust
If you are interested in becoming a Land Trust Ambassador, please fill out the contact form below or email Raleigh Kitchen at rkitchen@sslt.org. Thank you!
