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Frogs are an indicator species, meaning they are sensitive to environmental changes, such as pollution. Monitoring frog populations on Jekyll enables us to detect population fluctuations in response to many factors such as weather extremes like drought, events such as storm surge that result in salinity increases in fresh water wetlands, pollution, or disease. We conduct monthly frog-call surveys during the warm months, and we have vertical pipes that attract tree frogs by providing shelter, strategically placed around several wetlands to monitor tree-dwelling species. Monitoring frogs has also allowed us to compile a species list, and detect the presence of non-native frogs. Currently we have documented 12 species of toads and frogs on Jekyll Island, including two non-native species, the greenhouse frog and Cuban tree frogs (for a complete species list see link below). These species are of concern because they compete for the same resources, often better than native frogs, can introduce diseases that our native frogs aren’t equipped to handle as well, and the large Cuban tree frogs can actually eat our local native frog species. For more information about our local frog species see SREL Herp page. You can help us by reporting sightings of Cuban tree frogs, which are amongst our highest priority invasive species for control on the island. More information on how to identify Cuban tree frogs can be found at University of Florida’s wildlife page. To make a report call our wildlife cell phone at 912.222.5992.

Download: Frog Species List

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Alligators

American alligators are an important top predator found in coastal ecosystems and are capable of taking large prey. Because of their size, power, and the rare but sometimes tragic attacks on people that have occurred in other places, they are a high-priority species for us to understand and manage. Along with fellow JIA staff at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, we partner with the UGA Odum School of Ecology to monitor the approximate size of the population, and study their movements, reproduction, and health.

It is especially important for us to mark Alligators around the island, because they sometimes show up in unwanted places. For example, when an alligator emerges on a busy beach we can look at our data to assess where it may have come from or make an educated guess as to where it is headed, and move it to that area. Likewise, marking them allows us to know if an individual gator returns to inappropriate places or exhibits undesirable behaviors regularly. Begging is the most common undesirable alligator behavior that we observe and is a result of feeding by people. This can cause fear for folks that are unaware the alligator is begging, and believe they are being approached or stalked. An alligator that has been fed loses its fear of people and an alligator without fear of people can be very dangerous. We can discourage begging by capturing and marking these alligators, or recapturing them which allows us to know when we are dealing with a repeat offender, but the only way to prevent begging is to not feed alligators. Feeding wildlife is illegal, and if you see anyone feeding alligators, you are encouraged to report it to the JIA Conservation Department (Wildlife Cell Phone: 912-222-5992) or Georgia State Patrol.

Download: Gregory Skupien’s “Wildlife Conservation in a Developing Landscape: Interfacing”

Bobcats

In 2014, through our early detection network, the first-ever documented occurrence of a bobcat on Jekyll Island was discovered when its image was captured on one of our cameras. Since that time, we continue to collect images and videos from around the island of the bobcat we initially dubbed “Boris”, followed by a female named “Natasha”, then finally in 2016 two kittens named “Rocky and Bullwinkle”. We continue to study bobcat movement patterns through tracks, and cameras placed around the island. We are additionally collecting DNA samples to better understand their abundance, distribution, and familial relationships around the island through genetic testing. Recently in October of 2017, we received a report of a sick bobcat. The conservation team was able to capture the bobcat, and seek treatment for it in partnership with the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and the Jacksonville Zoo. We were able to determine that the bobcat was Bullwinkle, one of the former kittens discovered through our early detection network. After the bobcat made a speedy recovery, we placed our first GPS collar on him. We now monitor Bullwinkle’s movement around the island, and in the future, we hope to collar the other Jekyll Island bobcats to develop a more comprehensive understanding of their spatial use, and establishment on a Georgia barrier island.

While bobcats are not rare in the southeast, the species is among the rarest native animals that reside on Jekyll Island. Cars and trucks pose serious danger to Bobcats as they move about on Jekyll Island. To help protect them and all our wildlife, please obey our speed limits and always drive with care and awareness.

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes

Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are a top predator found on all of Georgia’s barrier islands. They have declined significantly throughout their range, and are up for consideration for federal protection by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Fortunately, they seem to be doing relatively well in many coastal habitats, like Jekyll Island. Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes help prevent overpopulation of small mammals, such as rodents and rabbits. We are particularly interested in eastern diamondback rattlesnake movement and habitat use on Jekyll, since the island’s mix of conservation land, residential and commercial development, and roadways, presents a unique laboratory for improving our knowledge of how to safely sustain the species. By radio-tracking eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, our research aims to minimize perceived risks for people, risks for rattlesnakes that may encounter people, and to learn more about eastern diamondback rattlesnakes so we can better manage them and the habitats on which they rely.

While death from snake bite is extremely rare, injuries can be severe. Do not approach, attempt to handle or kill a venomous snake. The vast majority of snake bites in the United States occur as a result of handling or attempting to kill venomous snakes. Additionally, wildlife on Jekyll Island State Park are protected, so If you observe someone attempting to handle or kill one, please call us immediately (Wildlife Cell Phone: 912-222-5992) or call Georgia State Patrol.

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For more information, download (PDFs): 

• Environmental Stressors Annual Report 2016-17
• Environmental Stressors Annual Report 2017-18

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In 2015, with the help of the Jekyll Island Foundation, we launched a robust nest monitoring program to better understand the importance of Jekyll Island’s beaches and dunes for Wilson’s Plovers, a shore bird listed as threatened by the State of Georgia. This annual effort includes weekly nest surveys that involve following bird tracks and analyzing the behavior of the adult pairs to locate highly camouflaged nests. Once a nest is found, we install a hidden camera system that disappears into the dunes. These cameras allow us to know, for the first time, how many of our nests are successful, how many are failing due to predation or disturbance, and what the probable cause may have been for the nests that fail to produce chicks. This work was inspired by and builds upon the excellent outreach and education efforts begun by Operation Plover Patrol founder, local naturalist, artist, and educator, Lydia Thompson.

For more information, download: Plover Quick Sheet (PDF)

Shorebird Counts

To know where conservation is needed, and if conservation programs have been effective, shorebird scientists require a broad understanding of long-term species population trends. In 1974, Manomet organized the volunteer-based International Shorebird Survey (ISS) to gather information on shorebirds. Through the work of volunteers conducting seasonal surveys, this monitoring network provides data on shorebirds in over 3,400 locations. ISS data have been extensively used to document major shorebird migration staging areas throughout the Western Hemisphere and to identify and process site nominations for the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. The primary goal of the ISS is to have an operational monitoring program that will be sustained for decades on end to aid in the recovery of imperiled shorebird populations. Jekyll Island is proud to participate as a location and contributor to the ISS. We conduct shorebird species population counts monthly according to ISS survey protocols. We expect to learn the extent and importance of our island for shorebird residency and use as a stopping ground for migrators, while additionally contributing to the large-scale ISS detection of any long-term changes in abundance or species visitation. Fall and spring are the best seasons to see migratory species, and winter is the best season to see year-round resident species.

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Certification Overview

The program is designed to help the JIA plan, organize, implement, and document a comprehensive environmental management program for our certified courses and promote recognition for these efforts. To reach certification, a course must demonstrate a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas including: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction & Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management. Through these efforts, we have reduced chemical use on the golf course, increased safety and targeted application of what chemicals are required, and have reduced the amount of out-of-play areas that are intensively managed, allowing tall-grass meadows to colonize and flourish in these areas.

Course Honors

All four of the courses included in the Jekyll Island Golf Club are part of an exclusive group of only 25 courses in Georgia and 912 courses in the world to hold this honor. We are also one of three courses in the world to have 63 holes of golf certified and only three other have more certified. Golf courses from the United States, Africa, Australia, Central America, Europe, South America, and southeast Asia have also achieved certification in the program. The certification and three-year recertification process require a visit by a local golf community representative. Anthony Williams, Director of Grounds at Stone Mountain Golf Club by Marriott and member of the Audubon Steward Network, was given a tour of the course and sent his observations to Audubon International. “Jekyll Island’s Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary efforts have achieved a wonderful golf experience in harmony with an amazing green space. The staff have succeeded in being excellent stewards of the land and of the game of golf,” Williams reported.

BioBlitz

Also as part of this program, we participate in an annual community-engagement event called BioBlitz. This is a species-counting competition coordinated by Audubon International, and designed to create awareness among golfers and the general public about the environmental value of the habitats supported by golf courses.

2016 Achievements
The Jekyll Island Golf Club was the only course/club to place in more than one category, placing in all three categories:

• 1st in the community engagement category with 161 participants
• 2nd in the photo contest
• 3rd in the biodiversity category with 430 different species counted

2017 Achievements
Within a week’s time, Jekyll Island placed

• 1st in the biodiversity category, counting 532 species and
• 2nd in the community engagement category, with 95 participants

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The CoGA CISMA focuses its resources in the 11-county coastal Georgia area to manage at a scale large enough for viable early detection and rapid response control efforts. The area covers approximately 3.9 million acres and includes a variety of upland habitats, wetland habitats, historic sites, scenic sites, and recreational areas with over 100 miles of coastline, about 350,000 acres of salt & brackish marsh, and a series of eight barrier island clusters. Approximately 841,600 acres, or 22% of the land, is considered to be conservation lands, and represents most of the area managed by CISMA partner agencies.

Cooperative efforts through the CISMA are integral in helping the JIA identify, control, and in some cases eliminate damaging non-native invasive plants like Chinese tallow tree and Brazilian pepper tree, and invasive animals like Cuban tree frogs. These tree species can displace native plant diversity to the point of transforming entire landscapes to a monoculture. With the help of the AmeriCorps national service volunteer program, we are able to effectively manage certain populations of these invasive species on Jekyll Island.

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A Watershed Assessment preceded the development of the WPP. During the Watershed Assessment, water quality and biological sampling and analyses were conducted at five freshwater and saline stream stations throughout Jekyll Island. The Watershed Assessment report was approved by the EPD on July 24, 2014. The WPP utilizes the findings of the water quality and biological monitoring conducted during the Watershed Assessment to establish initiatives including watershed best management practices (BMPs) within the jurisdictional limits of the JIA. In addition to fulfilling the deliverables outlined by EPA, we can use the results of the different sampling methods to determine the overall health of Jekyll Island waterways. This assessment will allow us to adaptively manage watersheds on Jekyll Island and to create and enhance existing habitats for aquatic flora and fauna.

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