Sea Island Life Magazine Spring/Summer 2014 | Page 53

“More people than ever are
asking about the marshes.
They want to know more about
the plants and animals.”
–GAVIN EARL

“More people than ever are asking about
the marshes,” Earl explains. “They want to
know more about the plants and animals, so
they sign up for activities that put them out
there. I’m glad because I know how interesting the marshes are and I know the physical
activity is good for their health, too.”
and paddleboarding tours, each with optional
forays into marshes, where he and other
knowledgeable guides expound upon the
natural world.
“Much of Village Creek, the waterway
between Sea Island and St. Simons Island, is
lined with marsh,” he says. “That whole area
like an all-you-can-eat buffet to shorebirds

mink, raccoons and deer at the edges of
marshes and sand dunes or river otters
swimming in open waters.
“When we get a little closer, we see other
kinds of plants mixed with the tall cordgrass
the marsh is best known for and … the sea
oats growing on the dunes,” he adds. “Sea
oxide daisies, for example, produce little,
summer. A species of morning glory has
just like the name suggests.”
As for when to explore the wetlands, Earl
says every time of day offers something different and interesting. “I like being out there
best at sunset, leading a kayak tour or a
stand-up paddleboard tour when everything
turns that glowing golden color,” he explains.
“Early morning, when there’s a mist swirling
around, is good, too. At night, with a clear
sky and the stars out, you can sit on a dock
and hear the sounds of the marsh after dark.
Any time is good, really. Nature never ceases
to amaze.”

Fabulous Flora and Fauna
Marshes are not just beautiful; they are also
a vital resource—and one that’s dwindling.
“Our best estimate is that we have about
379,000 acres of salt marsh here on Georgia’s
100 miles of shoreline, all in a narrow band
of estuaries between the barrier islands and

Rainbow Island Water Sports center offers equipment and tours for discovering the marshes.

SPRING/SUMMER 2014 | SEA ISL AND LIFE 53

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