D. Canton, GA–I absolutely love Jekyll Island and I will do anything I can to save it!

You may be asking yourself, “Can I really make a difference on Jekyll Island?” The answer is YES! The successes of the Initiative to Protect Jekyll Island prove that this is so. Suggested actions are listed below. Some may be done just once; others might be done weekly or monthly. You may think of some new ones. Jekyll Island needs everyone’s talents and contributions, so if you are inclined, please join the effort to protect Jekyll Island. Look around you for other public lands that might need your help. Citizen-owned public lands are part of our great American legacy. It is up to each of us to pass that legacy to our children and grandchildren.

In late 2009, the Jekyll Island Authority indicated it plans to continue extensive development of the island. To be sure, Jekyll Island needs your help today to minimize expansive development, ensure appropriate park improvements, and prevent the spread of private timeshares, condominiums, and golf course villas across its landscape. A visit to www.savejekyllisland.org will give you the most recent information. Please consider the following “to do lists” as a guide to action.

JEKYLL ISLAND “TO DO LISTS”

Things you can do just once.

Go to www.savejekyllisland.org and join IPJI. It’s free!

Go to www.savejekyllisland.org and sign IPJI’s affordability petition.

Go to www.savejekyllisland.org and order a free bumper sticker. Then put it on your car or tape it to the inside of the rear windshield. (Don’t block your view!) While you are at it, order one for your spouse, your friends, at least one other person who will use it.

Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYEUfSbCdP4 and watch the video on the density study. Send the link to your friends.

Contact the Atlanta Journal Constitution and ask the editors to continue covering Jekyll Island. Thank them for the coverage they have already provided. You can reach them at http://www.ajc.com/ and use the comment form at the bottom of the home page.

Send photos you have taken on Jekyll Island, with captions and permission to use them, to www.savejekyllisland.org.

Thank Senator Jeff Chapman for his willingness to listen to the people of Georgia and risk his political career to do what is right. You can email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Write a letter to the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce stating that you believe that a properly managed state park will do more to support jobs in Brunswick and Glynn County over the long term than short-term construction of timeshares and condominiums on the island. The Chamber’s contact information: 4 Glynn Avenue, Brunswick, Georgia 31520, 912-265-0620, FAX: 912-265-0629. If you have been a Jekyll Island visitor, let them know.

Contact Georgia’s governor and tell him how you feel about the handling of the future of Jekyll Island State Park. Ask him to remove the current Jekyll Island Authority board and appoint a new board, one that is professionally-trained in state park affairs, responsive, and accountable to the citizen-owners of Jekyll Island. Demand transparency in the management of Jekyll Island. While Governor Perdue is in office (in 2010), the Web site form to use is: http://www.capwiz.com/politicsol/mail/?id=2582&type=GV&state=GA or search on the internet for “Governor Perdue.”

Buy a few copies of Remember Jekyll Island. (The book will be available in late June 2010.) All proceeds go to the effort to protect Jekyll Island.

Contact your state senator and representative and tell them how you feel about Jekyll Island. Ask for their position on the effort to further develop the island. You can find your representatives by visiting http://www.votesmart.org/.

Contact Jekyll Island Authority Executive Director Jones Hooks and tell him how you feel about the way the Authority has handled the so-called “revitalization.” His contact information is 100 James Road, Jekyll Island, GA 31527, 912-635-2236, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Put your talents to good use! Volunteer to become an active member of the Initiative to Protect Jekyll Island. You may contact Co-Directors David and Mindy Egan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Things you can do once a week. Copy this list and put it on your schedule for Sunday or Monday (or any other day!).

Visit www.savejekyllisland.org to see the latest development and get information about what you can do. Send the link to one other person.

Tell one other person about Jekyll Island.

Things you can do once a month.

Go to www.savejekyllisland.org and donate what you can afford. IPJI operates entirely through the donations of members and supportive citizens.

Write to the editor of your local newspaper (online or hard copy) and other local publications and keep your community updated about Jekyll Island.

Things you can do as needed:

Respond to the Initiative to Protect Jekyll Island’s calls for action. (Tell IPJI you want to be placed on the group’s “activist” list.) Forward the call to action to others who may be interested.

Post responses to newspaper articles, blogs, or other information about Jekyll Island.

Above all, keep working for Jekyll Island and public land!