Cumberland Island

By Jessica Howell-Edwards

JessicaCumberland Island Wilderness is part of the Cumberland Island National Seashore in southern Georgia, administered by the National Park Service (NPS). It was previously sanctioned as a UN Biosphere Reserve, and is located just miles from Kings Bay Naval Base and also nuclear warhead storage.

 

I firmly believe that all Wilderness experiences have the potential to be transformative in our lives, but Cumberland Island Wilderness offers a complex variation of ecosystems that only a southeastern barrier island can: towering sand dunes, freshwater lakes, maritime forest, salt marshes, and deserted beaches.

 

With over 9,000 acres of Wilderness ecosystems to explore, I lose myself for days among curtains of Spanish moss. I watch dolphins frolic from the shore, and witness sea turtle hatchlings making their way to the sea. I can watch the sun rise over the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, set over the Cumberland River, and see the Milky Way like never before.


Bald eagles, osprey, wood storks, herons, American oystercatchers, least terns, and other shorebirds are all common sights when I visit; look closely and discover alligator, bobcat, armadillo, and coyote tracks.


The magic begins with a calm boat ride (a passenger ferry, to be precise) that departs from the friendly town of St. Mary’s, GA. But really, my journey is just beginning; when I disembark, I’ll hike miles on the beach or through the maritime forest before I set up camp. 


Afternoons on Cumberland Island are best spent dozing in a hammock hung among the ancient live oaks -- a welcome reprieve from hiking in the heat and humidity. (All I can say is, it’s not hard to be confused by feral horse paths leading you away from the hiking trails. Ahem.) 


Late one humid afternoon, I was sitting in the shade, observing hummingbirds and writing (truth be told, I was mostly wishing for a good afternoon thunderstorm to cool things off).  


Suddenly I heard a low rumble, similar to a plane, but getting increasingly louder. 


As it moved closer, the sky above us went dark. 


I looked at my companion; clearly, she was as startled as I. 


Everything seemed to go completely, eerily still. We clambered our way to a clearing and looked up—it was far too large to be a shorebird. We couldn’t believe our eyes. 


It was the Goodyear blimp, directly overhead—flying low enough over the Wilderness area to completely darken the sky for several startling seconds. 


As the blimp flew farther north, we returned to our shaded area. My heart was beating rapidly, my palms were sweaty—it was unnatural, what I had just experienced—and was NOT what one wants in a Wilderness experience. I was shaken.


I am accustomed to hearing low-flying planes and helicopters, even in this Wilderness area—but I never imagined seeing a blimp. But this blimp gave me a reminder of how much worse it could get. After all, if Spaceport Camden stakeholders get their way, rockets will soon be flying overhead. 


As I watched the sun set over the Cumberland River that night, I could not even imagine the potential devastation to this delicate ecosystem if this spaceport, located only four miles away, is approved to shoot commercial rockets directly over this Wilderness area. 


One failed launch could eradicate over 40 years of conservation efforts. It also threatens every aspect of Cumberland Island’s wilderness character:

Wildness

Solitude

Remoteness

Noise

Visual intrusion

Primitive and unconfined recreation 

Undeveloped nature

Transcendent and spiritual values

Connection to the past

Ecological and evolutionary processes


The idea of a private, for-profit spaceport launching rockets over a Congressionally-protected Wilderness area nearly makes my head explode. 


I firmly believe protecting Cumberland Island Wilderness in 1982 was one of the best choices our leaders ever made—but I also believe that it is our job to hold public officials accountable to protecting and maintaining the integrity of Wilderness character on Cumberland Island. 


That includes opposing any version of a spaceport that would be located just four miles from the Congressionally-designated Wilderness area on Cumberland Island.

 

OCTOBER 2020 UPDATE: Please join us at www.change.org/norocketsoverwilderness!

 

Jessica is a lifelong Georgia resident and mom of four (ages 12, 7, 4, and 4) who currently resides in DeKalb County, GA. She offers more than two decades of journalism, marketing, and activism experience – and most importantly, a passion for protecting the native ecology of Cumberland Island. She currently serves as Program Director for Wild Cumberland, a nonprofit dedicated to the stewardship and preservation of the Cumberland Island Wilderness and its native ecology.

 

Cumberland Island

 

Spanish moss on Cumberland Island

 

Photos: 
Author Jessica Howell-Edwards, on Cumberland Island.
The spaceport location would be visible from Cumberland Island Wilderness.

Live oaks draped with Spanish moss in Wilderness. Photo by Jessica Howell-Edwards.

 

 

Editor's note:

“Wilderness Experienced” is a platform to share stories of recent experiences in Wilderness. Stories focus on the virtues of Wilderness and/or challenges facing the National Wilderness Preservation System.

Commenting guidelines:

We encourage readers to engage the authors and other commenters through the comment feature. Please be respectful and thoughtful in your response, and focus your comments on the issues/experiences. Please refrain from personal attacks and harassment, using rude or disruptive language, providing misinformation, or promoting violence or illegal activities. We reserve the right to reject comments. Thank you for your cooperation and support.

 

Click here to read another Wilderness Experienced story. See what you can do to defend America's National Wilderness Preservation System here

 

 

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Comments 206

Guest
Guest - Tracey Bonner on Wednesday, 16 September 2020 12:45

American Citizens deserve better and OUR voices need to be heard above the destructive nature of Greedy Corporations and rampant Ignorance.

We ALL need to protect these extraordinary places and ALL WILDLIFE who inhabit these places, in order to remain connected to this earth, it is not only about the salvation of the planet, but it is also about the salvation of ourselves.

Save the Endangered Species Act!!!

American Citizens deserve better and OUR voices need to be heard above the destructive nature of Greedy Corporations and rampant Ignorance. We ALL need to protect these extraordinary places and ALL WILDLIFE who inhabit these places, in order to remain connected to this earth, it is not only about the salvation of the planet, but it is also about the salvation of ourselves. Save the Endangered Species Act!!!
Guest
Guest - Christopher Tumolo on Wednesday, 16 September 2020 12:28

I can't believe this is even being considered. Humans have destroyed so much of the planet already. When will we start giving back to it? Leave nature alone!

I can't believe this is even being considered. Humans have destroyed so much of the planet already. When will we start giving back to it? Leave nature alone!
Guest
Guest - jessica howell-edwards (website) on Thursday, 24 September 2020 09:42

Christopher, we must ensure our leaders adhere to the intent of its enabling legislation! Thank you for your support. Please stay tuned - we will need your help to stop this Spaceport! Please be sure to visit wildcumberland.org for up-to-date information on this situation.

Christopher, we must ensure our leaders adhere to the intent of its enabling legislation! Thank you for your support. Please stay tuned - we will need your help to stop this Spaceport! Please be sure to visit wildcumberland.org for up-to-date information on this situation.
Guest
Guest - m p on Wednesday, 16 September 2020 12:25

can we get a petition going to stop this nonsense?

can we get a petition going to stop this nonsense?
Guest
Guest - jessica howell-edwards (website) on Thursday, 24 September 2020 09:43

We are working on the best approach to take. Thank you for your support. Please stay tuned - we will need YOUR help to stop this Spaceport! Please be sure to visit wildcumberland.org for up-to-date information on this situation.

We are working on the best approach to take. Thank you for your support. Please stay tuned - we will need YOUR help to stop this Spaceport! Please be sure to visit wildcumberland.org for up-to-date information on this situation.
Guest
Guest - David Gibson on Wednesday, 16 September 2020 12:24

Cumberland Island, its wildness, naturalness and human histories provide unforgettable memories for this northerner. Thank you Wild Cumberland and Jessica for your writing and advocacy. Thank you WW. Anything northerners can do in a timely way to help you protect Cumberland from this terrible Spaceport proposal, pls. send out the SOS.

Cumberland Island, its wildness, naturalness and human histories provide unforgettable memories for this northerner. Thank you Wild Cumberland and Jessica for your writing and advocacy. Thank you WW. Anything northerners can do in a timely way to help you protect Cumberland from this terrible Spaceport proposal, pls. send out the SOS.
Guest
Guest - jessica howell-edwards (website) on Thursday, 24 September 2020 09:44

David, the time will come soon. Thank you for your support. Please stay tuned - we will need your help to stop this Spaceport! Please be sure to visit wildcumberland.org for up-to-date information on this situation.

David, the time will come soon. Thank you for your support. Please stay tuned - we will need your help to stop this Spaceport! Please be sure to visit wildcumberland.org for up-to-date information on this situation.
Guest
Guest - Kaerli Christensen on Wednesday, 16 September 2020 12:21

Camped on Cumberland Island in the late 90s and it still resonates as one of the most incredible experiences of my life. A true "Goonies" adventure. Please protect this amazing island from human destruction. That means land, ocean, AND air!

Camped on Cumberland Island in the late 90s and it still resonates as one of the most incredible experiences of my life. A true "Goonies" adventure. Please protect this amazing island from human destruction. That means land, ocean, AND air!
Guest
Guest - Karen Ireland, M.D. on Wednesday, 16 September 2020 12:21

I have been fortunate to have been there twice, camping 5 nights the second time. It was spring, and one night I woke to hear a male alligator "barking" (I thought it was a dog!) not far from our tent. We even hiked to the north end of the island; its a magical place. NO spaceshots over that place of peace and beauty please!

I have been fortunate to have been there twice, camping 5 nights the second time. It was spring, and one night I woke to hear a male alligator "barking" (I thought it was a dog!) not far from our tent. We even hiked to the north end of the island; its a magical place. NO spaceshots over that place of peace and beauty please!
Guest
Guest - jessica howell-edwards (website) on Thursday, 24 September 2020 09:45

What an amazing experience you had! We must ensure our leaders adhere to the intent of its enabling legislation! Thank you for your support. Please stay tuned - we will need your help to stop this Spaceport! Please be sure to visit wildcumberland.org for up-to-date information on this situation.

What an amazing experience you had! We must ensure our leaders adhere to the intent of its enabling legislation! Thank you for your support. Please stay tuned - we will need your help to stop this Spaceport! Please be sure to visit wildcumberland.org for up-to-date information on this situation.
Guest
Guest - Jordan Glass on Wednesday, 16 September 2020 12:18

Please keep blimps out of the wilderness. There is such a small amount of wilderness left in the US. Let's protect it, keep out corporations, development and protect the animals. Keep Cumberland Island wild please!

Please keep blimps out of the wilderness. There is such a small amount of wilderness left in the US. Let's protect it, keep out corporations, development and protect the animals. Keep Cumberland Island wild please!
Guest
Guest - jessica howell-edwards (website) on Thursday, 24 September 2020 09:48

Thank you for your support, Jordan. Please stay tuned - we will need your help to stop this Spaceport! Please be sure to visit wildcumberland.org for up-to-date information on this situation.

Thank you for your support, Jordan. Please stay tuned - we will need your help to stop this Spaceport! Please be sure to visit wildcumberland.org for up-to-date information on this situation.
Guest
Guest - HK Khalsa on Wednesday, 16 September 2020 12:15

Let the wildness of Cumberland Island NOT be low-flying blimps, drones, or other launched aircraft.
If we want to live in harmony with wildlife we need to stop destroying natural habitats with pollution of noise, toxins, fires, and oil drilling.
Whales have literally tried to escape sonar by beaching themselves. Has America become too "primitive" and greedy to understand the importance of interspecies cooperation?

Let the wildness of Cumberland Island NOT be low-flying blimps, drones, or other launched aircraft. If we want to live in harmony with wildlife we need to stop destroying natural habitats with pollution of noise, toxins, fires, and oil drilling. Whales have literally tried to escape sonar by beaching themselves. Has America become too "primitive" and greedy to understand the importance of interspecies cooperation?
Guest
Guest - jessica howell-edwards (website) on Thursday, 24 September 2020 09:49

Yes! Thank you for your support. Please stay tuned - we will need your help to stop this Spaceport! Please be sure to visit wildcumberland.org for up-to-date information on this situation.

Yes! Thank you for your support. Please stay tuned - we will need your help to stop this Spaceport! Please be sure to visit wildcumberland.org for up-to-date information on this situation.
Guest
Guest - Heather Haverfield on Wednesday, 16 September 2020 12:08

Why ruin a good thing? The Cumberland Island Wilderness by its very nature should be off limits to any development much less a Spaceport. Horrible idea!

Why ruin a good thing? The Cumberland Island Wilderness by its very nature should be off limits to any development much less a Spaceport. Horrible idea!
Guest
Guest - jessica howell-edwards (website) on Thursday, 24 September 2020 09:46

Absolutely - can't even believe this is being considered, let alone that it has gotten this far. Thank you for your support. Please stay tuned - we will need your help to stop this Spaceport! Please be sure to visit wildcumberland.org for up-to-date information on this situation.

Absolutely - can't even believe this is being considered, let alone that it has gotten this far. Thank you for your support. Please stay tuned - we will need your help to stop this Spaceport! Please be sure to visit wildcumberland.org for up-to-date information on this situation.
Guest
Guest - Marcus Gottlieb (website) on Wednesday, 16 September 2020 12:08

Keep Cumberland Island wild!! Too much wildlife is disappearing from our planet!

Keep Cumberland Island wild!! Too much wildlife is disappearing from our planet!
Guest
Guest - jessica howell-edwards (website) on Thursday, 24 September 2020 09:49

Marcus, thank you for your support! Please stay tuned - we will need your help to stop this Spaceport! Please be sure to visit wildcumberland.org for up-to-date information on this situation.

Marcus, thank you for your support! Please stay tuned - we will need your help to stop this Spaceport! Please be sure to visit wildcumberland.org for up-to-date information on this situation.
Guest
Guest - Jerry Hughes on Wednesday, 16 September 2020 12:07

This space port should be constructed/used in an area, such as Canaveral /Kennedy where the damage has already been done. Keep our wilderness, just that in every aspect. One misfiring could cause destruction to part or all of the island. Should not be allowed in this area.

This space port should be constructed/used in an area, such as Canaveral /Kennedy where the damage has already been done. Keep our wilderness, just that in every aspect. One misfiring could cause destruction to part or all of the island. Should not be allowed in this area.
Guest
Guest - jessica howell-edwards (website) on Thursday, 24 September 2020 09:47

Agree completely, Jerry. We thank you for your support. Please stay tuned - we will need your help to stop this Spaceport! Please be sure to visit wildcumberland.org for up-to-date information on this situation.

Agree completely, Jerry. We thank you for your support. Please stay tuned - we will need your help to stop this Spaceport! Please be sure to visit wildcumberland.org for up-to-date information on this situation.
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Friday, 29 March 2024

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