Your attendance at the public meetings for the Jekyll Island State Park Conservation Plan will help shape the future of the island.

The Conservation Plan for Jekyll Island is a critically important document which will guide the Jekyll Island Authority as it moves forward with any redevelopment and/or development on the island. The Plan will also direct the JIA in its mission to protect and preserve the wildlife habitats and natural resources of the island.

Please plan to attend the first in a series of meetings on September 8, 2010 from 5:30 to 7:30 at McCormick’s Grill at the Jekyll Island Golf Course.

Jekyll Island to Host Public Meeting for Conservation Plan

Public Involvement Viewed as Step in Plan Development

JIA Press Release

JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jekyll Island Conservation Planning Committee is hosting a public meeting Wednesday, September 8 in their efforts to attain valuable feedback for the development of their Conservation Plan. The meeting will be held on the island at McCormick's Grill, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This meeting marks the first in a series designed to encourage dialogue between the Committee and the interested public.

"Because this is such a critical platform, engaging the public is the first step our committee is taking," said Dr. Terry Norton, leader of the Conservation Committee and Director of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. "We want to make sure the public's voice is heard within this plan."

AECOM Technical Services, Inc., a global leader in providing integrated professional technical and management support services, is teaming up with the Committee to aid in the development of the Conservation Plan. Dr. Jay Exum, the Principle Ecologist at AECOM, along with Committee representatives will present to the public their key objectives and schedule for the Plan. Feedback from the public meeting will be documented and utilized in the plan development.

The objective of the Conservation Plan is to complete a design and develop a framework and content that will serve as a valuable management tool in protecting and enhancing Jekyll Island's natural areas.

"The Conservation Plan is a key policy initiative," stated Jekyll Island Authority board member and Conservation/Preservation Committee chairman Richard Royal. "I'm pleased to have active involvement from the public and the conservation community. This will make the plan that much better."

It is mandatory that 65% of the island remain undeveloped, for this reason, every aspect of the revitalization is carefully analyzed by the Jekyll Island Authority and its Board of Directors to ensure that each development site keeps to the set guidelines and ordinances.

Jekyll Island's Conservation Plan is anticipated to be completed by the beginning of next year.

Located on Georgia's coast, Jekyll Island with its rich history and quiet, laid-back atmosphere has attracted vacationers for more than one hundred years.  Jekyll Island offers a variety of amenities, including 10 miles of beach, a 250-acre Historic Landmark District, four golf courses, a large water park, 20 miles of bike paths, a tennis center, and an array of lodging options including hotels, cottages and campgrounds.  Owned by the state of Georgia and managed by Jekyll Island Authority, the island's development is limited to just 35 percent of the available land area to preserve the critical barrier island ecosystem.  Great lengths have been taken to honor this ratio as the highly anticipated revitalization of Jekyll Island moves forward.  By 2012, the island will boast three new hotels, an all-new beachfront convention center with more than 78,000 square feet of function space, a beautifully redesigned entry corridor to the island, beach village shopping and dining area and many more enhancements.  Please visit www.jekyllisland.com for more information or call (877) 4-JEKYLL.