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Put native plants in your garden!
Dear Reader,
Many years ago, when Dot worked as a travel writer, I was invited to a place called Little St. Simons Island, off the coast of Georgia. Mr. Dot and I packed up the three Little Dots and pointed our car south, winding through Kentucky and Tennessee until we stopped on the coast of Georgia, where we transferred to a small boat that shuttled us to Little St. Simons. Roughly 10,000 acres in size, the island boasts a few small cabins, one large main cabin with a long porch, and more than 7 miles of pristine beach. It’s also home to armadillos and alligators, and, in the path of the Atlantic Migratory Flyway, routinely sees more than 250 bird species, including wood storks and the gorgeous Roseate Spoonbills pictured here.
Lately, Bluedot has been getting into the travel biz, with our founder Vicki Riskin leading trips to destinations around the U.S. that boast sustainability initiatives. Our goal is to encourage readers to weave their interest in our environment into their travel plans — visiting spots that share our love for nature and good food and living lightly on the planet. Most recently, Vicki visited Little St. Simons Island, which, since Dot’s visit, has donated a conservation easement to The Nature Conservancy, ensuring that it will never be developed and that its unique ecosystem and biodiversity will remain protected.
“Little St. Simons has been privately held since the late 18th century,” Vicki wrote. “Over the years, it passed through unusually thoughtful hands, each steward seeming to understand something essential: Its greatest value lay not in what could be built, but in what could be left alone.”
Visiting the island is a bit like going to summer camp. Overnight visitors are capped at 32, and meals are eaten family-style in the historic lodge. “The lodge and cottages feature broad porches, ceiling fans, rocking chairs, and shelves filled with books,” Vicki continues. “Everything encourages you to slow down.”
While Bluedot’s trips are over for the time being, Dot hopes that, wherever your holidays take you, you’ll take steps to ease the impact of your travels on the Earth.
For now, read about Vicki’s delightful experience and, perhaps, add Little St. Simons to your bucket list.
Wanderingly,
Dot
Learn about plants in your region by visiting The Audubon Society native plant list.
For more Bluedot Climate Quick Tips, click here.
