Golden Isles Fund for Trees
Our Mission is to preserve and enhance the tree canopy in Glynn County through tree planting, education, and advocacy.
GIFT EXPANDS ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH
THE COMMUNITIES OF COASTAL GEORGIA FOUNDATION
Golden Isles Fund for Trees (GIFT) began as a component fund of the Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation in November 2015. By June 2016, with your support, we expanded to our own non-profit and 501(C)(3) status.
In 2024 we are returning to our “roots” and “growing” our relationship with the Foundation. Our Tree Team will dedicate our efforts to the work of preserving and expanding our tree canopy in Glynn County, while the Foundation will process and manage our donor funds to support our endeavors.
Going forward, all GIFT donations will be accepted by the Foundation and held in the GIFT Fund. Our DONATE button will link you to the dedicated giving page for GIFT at the Foundation.
Checks should be made payable to Coastal Georgia Foundation with “GIFT Fund” noted in the memo line. Checks may be mailed to GIFT at PO Box 24038, St. Simons Island, GA 31522.
We are grateful for your continued support of our mission. Please contact us at info@treesglynn.org to suggest programs or projects, or to join our Tree Team.
The Lover’s Oak
According to local legend, Native American braves and their maidens would meet and kiss under the tree's branches
The Lover’s Oak is thought to date from the 12th century. It is located at 828 Albany Street in historic downtown Brunswick, Georgia.
Featured Trees of The Golden Isles
-
Tree Name – Fernando J Torras
Tree Number:231
Location: 601 Gloucester St
Approximate Age: 176
GIrth (feet): 15’4”
History:Fernando Joseph Torras (1885–1952) Brunswick City Manager for 30 years who preserved the natural beauty of his city against the encroachment of traffic. He is best known as the main engineer for the causeway from Brunswick to St Simons Island. He graduated as an engineer from Georgia Tech. After his schooling, he built rail lines, bridges, and roads in the jungles of South America and took a keen interest in the idea of a causeway. He conducted a survey of the marshy landscape at the request of Brunswick mayor Malcolm B. McKinnon and determined the best possible route. Torras served as the Chief Engineer on the project. The causeway was completed in 1924 after 13 months of work at a cost of more than $418,000.
-
Tree Name –Margaret Davis Cate Oak
Tree Number: 62
Location: Fort Frederica National Monument
Approximate Age: 255
Girth (feet): 22’3”
History: Margaret Davis Cate (1888-1961) had many careers. She taught school, was postmistress of Sea Island, served as a school board member, planning and zoning committee member. As a local historian and author, Mrs. Cate documented the history of Brunswick and Saint Simons Island, including oral histories of freed slaves and their descendants. In 1947, largely through Mrs. Cate’s efforts, Fort Frederica became a national monument.
-
Tree Name – The Nan Marie O'Hara Living Oak
Tree Number: 165
Location: Small Playground by the pier
Approximate Age: 165
Girth (feet): 12’
History: This large Live Oak is named in memory of Nan Marie O'Hara (1946- 2019). Nan Marie is remembered by her many friends for her love of our local history and the Live Oaks of the Golden Isles. This interest led Nan Marie to GIFT (Golden Isles Fund for Trees) where, in 2016, she took on the job of recording the dimensions and registering more than 100 specimen Live Oak trees (the first three were at her home on the South end of St. Simons Island). Nan Marie named them and wrote a brief history of each tree. Nan Marie once said, "that I can almost hear the sound of hoofs on the horses in the battle of Bloody Marsh!" Nan Marie’s project became the GIFT Tree Registry which is now online for all to enjoy. Her legacy lives on today.