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Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island
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Other Projects by Design Workshop
Jekyll Island
Firm
STATUS
Concept
SIZE
1,000,000 +
BUDGET
Unknown
Centuries of urbanization have fragmented U.S. East Coast ecosystems, reducing longleaf pine savanna to less than 3% of its original range. Jekyll Island, a barrier island off Georgia’s coast, offers a rare opportunity to reverse this decline amid climate change, sea-level rise, biodiversity loss, and the loss of cultural landscapes. This project transforms an aging golf course into thriving native habitats—restoring longleaf pine savannas, salt marshes, and sweetgrass prairies. By honoring the island’s ecological heritage and resilience, the project sets a national model for coastal restoration and sustainable development.
This project employs strategic restoration and adaptive management to enhance biodiversity, climate resilience, and soil health. By removing turfgrass and invasives, reintroducing fire-adapted native plants, and designing habitats for target species, the landscape transforms into interconnected habitats that support threatened and at-risk species while increasing ecosystem stability. Repurposing existing infrastructure to anticipate sea-level rise and increased storm surge, such as converting ditches and culverts, improves tidal flows, water quality and habitat connectivity. These efforts fortify the island’s ability to manage stormwater, prevent erosion, and adapt to climate change, demonstrating how landscape architecture can restore ecological function while mitigating risks.
This design strategically places habitats based on Jekyll’s topography, hydrology, and natural processes, both today and in the future. Upland areas are restored as longleaf pine savannas while critical freshwater resources are protected. Lower elevations transition into brackish wetlands, supporting habitat diversity, marsh migration, and climate adaptability. Additional ecosystems, like pollinator meadows and sweetgrass prairies, restore ecological complexity and cultural ties. This layered strategy creates a resilient, self-sustaining landscape that adapts to shifting environmental conditions.
The restoration honors Jekyll Island’s rich cultural history, especially the Gullah Geechee people. Reintroducing sweetgrass pays homage to their traditional craft, while interpretive trails, art, and educational displays immerse visitors in the island’s complex ecological and cultural narratives and legacies. Elevated boardwalks and a living classroom provide firsthand learning experiences, fostering environmental stewardship and public appreciation for coastal ecosystems.
The landscape architect led the restoration, blending ecological science, climate adaptation, and community engagement. Through in-depth site analysis, the team developed a strategic approach to restoring upland savannas and coastal marshes, repurposing existing infrastructure to improve habitat connectivity. Educational and interpretive elements were thoughtfully designed to balance ecological restoration with public access, ensuring that Jekyll Island remains a place of conservation, recreation, and cultural storytelling for generations to come. Since there are very few examples of golf course conversions in the region, the client has made a long-term commitment to research and dissemination of the process as a critical component of the project.
This project employs strategic restoration and adaptive management to enhance biodiversity, climate resilience, and soil health. By removing turfgrass and invasives, reintroducing fire-adapted native plants, and designing habitats for target species, the landscape transforms into interconnected habitats that support threatened and at-risk species while increasing ecosystem stability. Repurposing existing infrastructure to anticipate sea-level rise and increased storm surge, such as converting ditches and culverts, improves tidal flows, water quality and habitat connectivity. These efforts fortify the island’s ability to manage stormwater, prevent erosion, and adapt to climate change, demonstrating how landscape architecture can restore ecological function while mitigating risks.
This design strategically places habitats based on Jekyll’s topography, hydrology, and natural processes, both today and in the future. Upland areas are restored as longleaf pine savannas while critical freshwater resources are protected. Lower elevations transition into brackish wetlands, supporting habitat diversity, marsh migration, and climate adaptability. Additional ecosystems, like pollinator meadows and sweetgrass prairies, restore ecological complexity and cultural ties. This layered strategy creates a resilient, self-sustaining landscape that adapts to shifting environmental conditions.
The restoration honors Jekyll Island’s rich cultural history, especially the Gullah Geechee people. Reintroducing sweetgrass pays homage to their traditional craft, while interpretive trails, art, and educational displays immerse visitors in the island’s complex ecological and cultural narratives and legacies. Elevated boardwalks and a living classroom provide firsthand learning experiences, fostering environmental stewardship and public appreciation for coastal ecosystems.
The landscape architect led the restoration, blending ecological science, climate adaptation, and community engagement. Through in-depth site analysis, the team developed a strategic approach to restoring upland savannas and coastal marshes, repurposing existing infrastructure to improve habitat connectivity. Educational and interpretive elements were thoughtfully designed to balance ecological restoration with public access, ensuring that Jekyll Island remains a place of conservation, recreation, and cultural storytelling for generations to come. Since there are very few examples of golf course conversions in the region, the client has made a long-term commitment to research and dissemination of the process as a critical component of the project.
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