The Reserve provides an incredible living laboratory for conducting esutarine research.
Would you like to do research on Sapelo Island? All research must be approved and registered far in advance from the beginning of research. There are limited dorm rooms and on-island vehicles that can be provided by the Reserve. Learn about the process of getting your research approved and registered, and about the facilities below.
All research on the island must be registered. Researchers are benefiting from the use of public lands and the public moneys that support their management. Non-registered research projects will be removed, and consequences may include losing access to the island for research.
Changes to research must be recorded in the Research Registration Database. This includes but is not limited to:
Drastic changes may require a new research registration.
Research Sites must be clearly marked with sign that includes the PI’s contact information, the Unique ID from the Research Database, and a brief description of any deployed instruments or structure.
Any structure or instruments found without marking may be subject to removal.
Your equipment and supplies used for your research must be taken off the island when the research is complete. Once left behind it becomes unwanted litter in our habitats. We don’t want your eco-trash! No, we don’t need your extra PVC. You must remove all pvc, structure and instruments, that you installed for your research and take it from the island.
Failure to do so may result in loss of research privileges on the island.
All Research must comply with data sharing agreement. This agreement covers reporting requirements and data sharing.
The island is only accessible to non-island residents as the guest of a island landowning entity.
Hosts may be
This is a crucial first step. The Research Coordinator will determine if a.) the research is appropriate for Sapelo Island b.) what logistics need to be considered, c.) who the most appropriate host would be, and d.) if any additional permits will be needed outside of registration and approval.
This is highly recommended. After initial conversations arrange a visit through the Research Coordinator. This will help you identify your research sites, and anticipate any logistical issues you may encounter, ensuring your best chance at a successful project.
A host arranges your ferry passes, on-island transportation, and on-island housing. It has nothing to do with research approval. The Research Coordinator will help determine who is best to host you depending on your on-island needs.
Hosts may be:
Dept. of Natural Resources-Wildlife Resources Division (DNR WRD)
Sapelo Island NERR (SINERR)
University of Georgia Marine Institute (UGAMI)
DNR WRD and SINERR require that any visiting researchers that are not DNR employees need to register as volunteers in order to drive our vehicles or use equipment. It will require submitting a background check to the Research Coordinator.
Beyond research approval and registration, some research may require additional permitting as required by law. The Research Coordinator will help you determine your needs.
Some common permits needed on Sapelo are:
Any research conducted on the island will need an outreach and community engagement plan with the on-island community of Hogg Hummock included. The plan should have a scheduled timeline of actionable items and measurable goals. Community engagement should provide an opportunity for members to provide comments and feedback.
Some ideas of what community engagement could look like, are presentations at the Hogg Hummock community library, flyers, or other educational material to share with the community.
If research is within the boundaries of the historic Hogg Hummock or focused on cultural aspects of the Gullah-Geechee descendants of the island, then two letters of support are required from on-island Hogg Hummock community residents.
If you need assistance developing your community engagement plan please contact our CTP Staff.
After receiving confirmation that your research meets requirements from the Research Coordinator, you must apply for Research Registration here.
Attach all necessary permits.
Please read all instructions carefully. You will be notified by automatic email when your research has been approved.
Yes. You will be conducting research on public lands so all research needs to be registered and approved.
Exceptions may be made for certain visiting classes. Please contact Research Staff if you have questions.
Yes. However, if your project is with the GCE LTER, your approval will be through the LTER.
This does not apply to your graduate students or any other researcher coming out with you not working on research that is LTER research. All non-LTER research will need approval and registration with the Reserve Staff.
In order to streamline the process of approval for research The Reserve has responsibility of vetting all research that comes to the island (exception: GCE LTER).
Vetting and registration makes certain we are effectively managing lands and natural resources within the public trust. UGAMI land is leased from GA DNR. The Reserve is an entity of the GA DNR. In addition, all estuarine wetlands are owned by the state of Georgia.
Advanced permission is needed from Research Staff to dock on Sapelo Island.
