Friends of Sapelo

06/19/2026

Friends of Sapelo members - You’re invited to celebrate the life of Gail Phillips with her family on Saturday, June 27th, from 2–4 PM at The Fish Dock Restaurant.
Gail was a longtime member of Friends of Sapelo, where she served as treasurer for many years. She dedicated countless hours volunteering on Sapelo Island and played a vital role in introducing many others to the organization. Gail took great joy in sharing the island’s unique natural beauty and rich history with others. Come to share a memory, a story, or simply your presence.

05/02/2026

Some good news

Breaking news: Critically endangered North Atlantic right whale moms gave birth to 23 new calves this season, the most since 2009. With only 374 right whales alive before these births, this represents a wondrous 6.4 percent boost.

Pictured here are Mirror and her first calf, spotted in Florida on March 14. Mirror is 10 years old. Among experienced moms, researchers are delighted to see intervals between births shorten by a few years, meaning moms are receiving the nutrition they need and are less stressed by environmental factors like fishing gear entanglements and ship strikes, their greatest threats.

“Thirteen of these returning moms last had calves in the 2021 or 2022 seasons, marking a shorter interval between births than the recent average of 7 to 10 years. This is closer to the normal or healthy interval of 3 to 4 years,” a NOAA news release reported April 30.

🙌🏼🐳 Go, moms, go!

Photo credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, taken under NOAA permit #26919. Aerial survey funded by the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and NOAA Fisheries.

Follow stories of eco-progress here at Earth Hope: https://earthhope.substack.com/

https://substack.com//note/c-252212300?r=fx6uc&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action

Breaking news: Critically endangered North Atlantic right whale moms gave birth to 23 new calves this season, the most since 2009. With only 374 right whales alive before these births, this represents a wondrous 6.4 percent boost. Pictured here are Mirror and her first calf, spotted in Florida on Ma...

03/24/2026

BIG Thank You to Dori and Pat Colvin, Tanya Ensell, Jim Deloach, John Stevenson for helping plant 64 live oak seedlings as past of SINERR’s stewardship project to restore the maritime forest on Sapelo Island. We had a great day working along the amazing SINERR staff!

03/21/2026

In honor of spring
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” — Rachel Carson

My orchid is showing off

03/20/2026

Big shout out to our small but mighty work crew who help preserve the tabby ruins at Chocolate Plantation ! - Jim Deloach, Tanya Ensell, Jim Fuller, Bill Lewis, Don Rigger and John Stevenson

01/26/2026

A great film festival this Sunday from Green Scene of Coastal Georgia - 2:00-5:00 at the Historic Ritz Theatre

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BrZXvBpUr/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Green Screen Filmfest 2026 includes a curated selection of short films produced by Alliance in their "Stories Happen in Forests" collection. Dr. Treva Gear, Dogwood Alliance'sGeorgia Campaign Manager, will be a featured panelist to answer questions following the films.

Join us to be inspired and to share your forest stories on Sunday, Feb 1, at The Ritz Theatre in Brunswick.

https://storieshappeninforests.com/

12/03/2025

Dear Friends,

On this Giving Tuesday, December 2, I invite you to join us in protecting one of Georgia’s greatest treasures by giving generously to Friends of Sapelo (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit). Your contributions are tax-deductible.

Sapelo’s estuaries give endlessly to our communities—abundant shrimp, oyster, and clam fisheries; world-class recreational fishing; vital habitat for shorebirds; resilient salt marshes that buffer our coast; and the everyday beauty that restores our spirits. Today, I ask you to give back.

Your donation helps us support the mission of the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve—advancing stewardship, research, education, and community engagement that ensure this remarkable place thrives for generations to come.

As Senegalese conservationist Baba Dioum reminds us:

“In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.”

Your generosity helps us teach, inspire, and connect people to Sapelo—because understanding leads to love, and love leads to protection.

To contribute, simply click the green GIVE button on our website: www.friendsofsapelo.org

Thank you for helping us care for the estuaries that care for us. Every gift makes a difference.

Warm regards,

John Stevenson
Friends of Sapelo

Where Community and Conservation Meet TICKETS ONLINE Friends of Sapelo is a volunteer-led nonprofit dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural heritage of Georgia’s Sapelo Island. Through stewardship, research, education, and outreach, we work alongside the Sapelo Island National Estuarine R...

11/26/2025

On behalf of the Advisory Board of Friends of Sapelo, Inc., we are so thankful to all of you who have joined our group, volunteered your time with us, or participated in our events this past year. If you would like to learn more, please visit our website:

Where Community and Conservation Meet TICKETS ONLINE Friends of Sapelo is a volunteer-led nonprofit dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural heritage of Georgia’s Sapelo Island. Through stewardship, research, education, and outreach, we work alongside the Sapelo Island National Estuarine R...

10/10/2025

October 9th Newsletter, do share!

https://mailchi.mp/5e859f69bc1d/join-the-celebration-30-years-of-friends-of-sapelo-fall-potluck-gathering

Friends of Sapelo is turning 30 — and we want you to be part of the celebration! Whether you’re a past or present member, you’ve helped shape our story of stewardship, community, and coastal conservation. Let’s come together to honor three decades of shared commitment and friendship.

12/16/2024