extraordinary
flows from here
Georgia’s 100-mile coast is teeming with life—from the unique wildlife that thrives here, to the rivers and marshes stretching toward the Atlantic, to the people who have called our lowlands and barrier islands home for generations.
Hear what makes this place so special from the people who value it most.
Endless stories flow from here. A patchwork of conservationists, educators, researchers, and advocates all work together toward a common goal — to protect coastal Georgia’s beloved wild species and the habitats on which they depend. Learn more about the people working to help maintain our wildlife populations and preserve the ecology of this special region for generations to come.
Stacia Hendricks on Little St. Simons Island
Meet Stacia Hendricks, naturalist manager for Little St. Simons Island.
Stacia has been working along Georgia’s coast for decades, spreading knowledge about the area’s unique ecology to locals and visitors alike. As the naturalist manager on Little St. Simons Island, she taps her deep understanding of the natural history and biology of the coastal region of Georgia to craft guided educational trips throughout the island.
Matthew Raiford
Meet Matthew Raiford, Farmer and Owner of Gilliard Farms and Strong Roots 9.
A descendant of the Freshwater Gullah Geechee of Coastal Georgia, Matthew grew up on land that has sustained his family for seven generations. Gilliard Farms, purchased in 1874 by his great-great-great grandfather Jupiter Gilliard, is now in the hands of this sixth-generation farmer. He and his wife Tia are also owners of Strong Roots 9, a lifestyle brand dedicated to creating products and experiences for Americans to reconnect with the nation’s natural heritage, from the perspective of the people whose ancestors helped build it.
Meet Maurice Bailey, founder of Save Our Legacy Ourself.
Maurice is the son of Sapelo Island griot, writer, historian, and activist Cornelia Walker Bailey. Since her passing in 2017, Maurice has dedicated himself to his mother’s vision of cultural preservation through agricultural revival. SOLO’s mission is to preserve the culture, heritage, and traditions of the Saltwater Geechee people on Sapelo Island, as well as to work towards achieving food sovereignty by leveraging partnerships to modernize farming practices and expand agricultural development and economic opportunities for the community of Hog Hammock.
Meet Maurice Bailey, founder of Save Our Legacy Ourself.
Maurice is the son of Sapelo Island griot, writer, historian, and activist Cornelia Walker Bailey. Since her passing in 2017, Maurice has dedicated himself to his mother’s vision of cultural preservation through agricultural revival. SOLO’s mission is to preserve the culture, heritage, and traditions of the Saltwater Geechee people on Sapelo Island, as well as to work towards achieving food sovereignty by leveraging partnerships to modernize farming practices and expand agricultural development and economic opportunities for the community of Hog Hammock.
Partners of Our Georgia Coast
The Our Georgia Coast campaign is designed to shine a spotlight on the essential work of our partners in preservation. We encourage you to learn more
about the inspiring coastal Georgians featured in this first video series—visit their websites to learn more and support their efforts.
