RISE, A Modern Guide for the Purpose Driven Woman Winter 2014 | Page 50

5.

Little St. Simons Island
1000 Hampton Point Drive
St. Simons Island, Georgia 31522
[phone] or [phone]

Little St. Simons Island

On
, a profound commitment
to conservation and preservation is a way of life, touching every facet of the
Island and guiding its daily operation. Recently, these efforts were recognized
when Green Globe 21, a global benchmarking, certification and improvement program for sustainable tourism and travel, awarded its Benchmarked
Certificate to Little St. Simons Island. As one of only two organizations in the
United States to have achieved this certification, the Island met or exceeded
Green Globe’s Earthcheck™ Accommodation Performance Benchmarks that
address nine critical environmental issues. This recognition reflects significant progress toward the goals and objectives that Little St. Simons Island
has set for itself: To provide the highest level of guest enjoyment and appreciation for the environment while protecting and preserving its resources.
Vastly different from most other barrier islands along the Atlantic seaboard,
Little St. Simons Island remains virtually undeveloped. While guests enjoy accommodations and services of the highest caliber, the devotion of the
Island’s owners and staff to maintaining the natural ecological state of the
Island remains foremost. Daily guest activities are led by naturalists and are
designed to encourage an appreciation for and understanding of the island
and its ecosystems.
The garden was first planted in 2006 in the corner of what was once a cattle
and horse corral located just beyond the Lodge compound on Beach Road.
The garden has been USDA certified organic since 2008 and has grown to a
half acre of raised beds, perennial plantings, native items, citrus, blackberries,
a diversity of seasonal herbs, vegetables and flowers, and a rotating variety of
cover crops to enhance our sandy soil. This is all complemented by an intensive soil composting program from kitchen peelings, shredded office paper
and organic materials.
The Chef and Head Gardener plan each season’s planting, from the selection
of seeds and plant