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SINERR 50th Anniversary Summit & Community Celebration

December 3 - December 5

December 3–5, 2026

Join the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve as we celebrate 50 years of research, education, conservation, partnership, and coastal stewardship.

This three-day gathering will bring together scientists, historians, community members, current and former Reserve staff, partners, and friends of Sapelo to reflect on SINERR’s history, explore the work that has shaped our understanding of Georgia’s coast, and look ahead to the Reserve’s next 50 years.

This event requires registration and tickets as space is limited! 

Event Schedule

Thursday, December 3: Optional Sapelo Island North End Tour w/ Lunch at Lula’s Kitchen 

Begin the celebration with an optional field trip to Sapelo Island. Participants will have an opportunity to visit the Guale Shell Ring, Chocolate Plantation, and other areas not accessible on public tours. End with a lunch at the famed Lula’s Kitchen for authentic island food.

Space will be limited, and advance registration and fees will be required.

Friday, December 4: 50th Anniversary Summit

8:30 AM – 4:30PM  – Summit at Oaks on the River, Darien, GA

The Summit will bring together leading coastal scientists, historians, community voices, partners, and former and current Reserve leaders for a day of presentations, conversations, and reflection. Lunch and snacks included in registration.

Topics addressed include:

The Beginning
How a vision for protecting Georgia’s coast became reality.
Founding stories, history of the Reserve, early leaders, archival photos, and anecdotes from the early years.
Discoveries
The science that changed what we know about the coast.
Presentations from leading Georgia scientists and others who have shaped coastal research.
Together
Partnerships, people, and community.
Speakers addressing culture and stewardship;  panels with agency partners, universities, and organizations.
Looking Forward
The next fifty years.
Students, young professionals, restoration efforts, emerging research, climate resilience, and the future of Sapelo Island.
Were you part of the Sapelo story? Former staff, researchers, students, volunteers, and partners will be invited to share photographs, memories, and field stories that may be featured throughout the symposium.

Some of the day’s featured speakers include:

Buddy Sullivan, noted Georgia coastal historian, will reflect on the history of Sapelo Island, the establishment of SINERR, and the people and events that shaped the Reserve’s first 50 years.

Dr. Merryl Alber, director of the University of Georgia Marine Institute, will address historic and current ecological scientific breakthroughs on Sapelo Island

Dr. Melissa  Cooper, Author of Making Gullah: A History of Sapelo Islanders, Race, and the American Imagination,  will speak about Sapelo Island’s Saltwater Geechee identity, historical memory, and their contributions to research

The day will also feature games, video clips, demonstrations, and opportunities to reconnect with colleagues and friends from across the Reserve’s history.

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM –  Social Hour and Poster Presentations (location TBD)

Join us for a short walk to Downtown Darien for an informal social hour and networking event, along with Poster Presentations from current Sapelo scientists.

Poster application required (click here).  Must be registered for the Summit (recommend additional registration for the Low Country Boil Celebration).

 

Saturday, December 5: Low Country Boil Community Celebration

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Field trips, Posters on Display 

Field Trips to Sapelo Island will be offered Saturday morning for attendees who would like an opportunity to experience the Reserve. Posters from the Poster Presentation will be up in the Sapelo Island Visitors Center.

12:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Low Country Boil & Cultural Performance, Sapelo Island Visitors Center (Mainland)

The anniversary celebration will conclude with a Low Country Boil at the Sapelo Island Visitors Center.

The celebration will include a special performance by the McIntosh County Shouters.

Planning Your Visit

Registration

Advance registration will be required for the Summit, field trips, and Low Country Boil. Participants will be able to select the activities they plan to attend during registration.

Register for all activities here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sapelo-island-nerr-anniversary-celebration-tickets-1988940219738

Sapelo Island Field Trips

Travel to Sapelo Island requires transportation aboard the state ferry. Because ferry and on-island transportation capacity are limited, field-trip participation will require advance registration and may be limited.

Registered participants will receive additional information about:

  • Ferry departure and return times
  • Parking and check-in
  • On-island transportation
  • Appropriate clothing and footwear
  • Accessibility considerations
  • Weather-related changes

Summit Location

Oaks on the River Conference Room
205 Fort King Georgia Dr
Darien, GA 31305

Low Country Boil Location

Sapelo Island Visitors Center
1766 Landing Road
Darien, Georgia 31305

Lodging

Attendees are responsible for arranging their own lodging. Oaks on the River is the recommended hotel (833-550-6257; oaksontheriverresort.com); other recommendations nearby include Open Gates Bed and Breakfast and the Darien Dockside Inn. Darien also offers a variety of other vacation rentals, as well as large chain hotels at Exits 38 and 49.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Georgia coast and celebrating this milestone together.

Questions?

For questions about the Summit, field trips, registration, or anniversary celebration, please contact:

Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve
Rachel Guy

vog.ag.rnd@yug.lehcaR

(912) 485-2251

Details

Organizer