Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve

08/18/2026

08/15/2026

A Night at the Movies: The Tides and Tales Film Festival

🌳🦉🌿🦐🌿🎬🌿🦦🌿📽🌿🐟🌿🐢🌳

The National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm warning for McIntosh County on Thursday evening, August 13, 2026. In the distance, the clouds looked dark, the wind had picked up, and the rumbling of thunder could be heard. But, the prediction of bad weather did not dampen the excitement brewing for a very special evening to celebrate the magnificent coast of Georgia.

The Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve (SINERR) was hosting its highly anticipated “Tides and Tales Film Festival” - in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Reserve. Graciously hosted by the world-famous “The Fish Dock” restaurant in Belleville, Georgia - and true friends of SINERR, McIntosh County, and the Georgia coast - it was very fitting for the Film Festival to be held at this highly acclaimed place. After all, it is located on a high bluff - right on the Sapelo River. This was going to be an exciting night for our guests - our friends, neighbors, and colleagues - to come together to celebrate the Georgia coast - and the work that the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve has done for 50 years - through Research, Education, Stewardship, and Conservation.

As the time got closer for the Film Festival to begin, the people started to walk up the path to get to the upstairs room. As they got closer to the entrance, they were rewarded with a spectacular view of the beautiful waterways and marshes - the very things they were coming to celebrate. Many of the guests had come early to eat in the downstairs restaurant - enjoying delicious fresh seafood - brought right in to the fish dock beside the restaurant - hence the name.

Inside the upstairs restaurant - turned theater - the guests were greeted by the Reserve staff - who were fashionably dressed in matching 50th Anniversary shirts - got checked in, and took their seats. There was even popcorn for their enjoyment ( what would a night at the movies be without popcorn). The room was filled to capacity, the excitement was growing, and the lights began flickering on and off. The show was about to begin. The Reserve Manager - Dr. Rachel Guy - welcomed everyone to the event, and she explained the purpose for them being there. Next, Kat Hoyt - Director of the Darien-McIntosh County Chamber of Commerce, and a friend of the Reserve - made remarks about the work they are doing to promote McIntosh County - our beautiful home. After the introductions were completed, the lights dimmed - and the Film Festival began.

First up was a documentary called “The River Flows There” - the story about two people who found a place to call home in coastal Georgia - followed by “Unlikely Mermaid” - a hilarious tale about two wannabes - two older ladies who were trying to accomplish the unlikely feat of auditioning to become mermaids. The sounds of laughter could be heard across the theater.

Next was the film called “A Fork in the Road Presents : The Water & Wonder of Darien” - which was narrated by a friend of Darien and the Georgia coast - critically-acclaimed David Zelsky. This film was especially interesting because it showed places and people that the audience could recognize.

The evening continued with the playing of the film called “Marshbug” - which was about the activities of a fly fishing guide and a conservation activist on the coast. Before the intermission, there was another film played that was named “An Introvert’s Guide to Sport and Wellness: Surfing” - which followed an introvert’s journey to a new chapter in her life. As the films played - one by one - the storm that had been brewing outside brought heavy rain that could be heard inside - pounding the roof of The Fish Dock.

Finally, the moment had come for the Feature Film. Earlier in the year, the Reserve sent out a call to local filmmakers for films for the festival - films that would capture the essence of what the work of the Reserve is all about. The Feature Film did just that - and the name of it was “A Thousand Rivulets Run”. Directed and produced by Sam Ghioto Studios, the film tells the dramatic story of a St. Simons Island local - and his journey throughout the waterways of coastal Georgia on his kayak. The scenery was breathtaking, and the storyline was moving. Everyone in the audience was captivated - taking in every image - every word - of this powerful story.

After the last film was over, the film representatives - many of whom were in attendance - with reserved seats up front - participated in a Question & Answer Session - hosted by Chamber Director Kat Hoyt. Hearing the thoughts of each film creator was especially interesting - and I thought it was an appropriate way to end the evening.

As I said my farewells to my coworkers - who are also my friends - and I left The Fish Dock to go home, my thoughts were filled with the wonder of the night that I had just experienced. Getting such an incredible amount of people together in one place - a place that is steeped in character and history - to help them learn about the remarkable work that the Reserve does every day - to protect one of our greatest treasures - our beloved estuary, and the incredibly beautiful Georgia coast.

As the year moves along - and our celebrations continue - there are other opportunities for you to join in the festivities to help us celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Reserve. Be sure to check out our website - www.sapelonerr.org, our social media pages, newspapers, and other information outlets - to learn more about our programs, and upcoming chances to join in the excitement of this very special occasion.

Fifty years - from its designation in 1976 as the second Reserve in what is today - a network of over 30 Reserves around the coastline of the United States - to this year of 2026 - what an incredible history of education, research, conservation, and research - for a place that is so deserving of care and protection.

Happy 50th Anniversary, Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve! Our work continues - never can we rest from our labors - because the future of the Reserve, of McIntosh County, and the gorgeous Georgia coast - are counting on us - each one of us - to ensure that they are forever protected for us to continue to enjoy, and for those who are yet to come!

🌳🦉🌿🦐🌿🎬🌿🦦🌿📽🌿🐟🌿🐢🌳

Stacy Rowe, Manager
Sapelo Island Visitors Center

Sapelo Island National Estuarine
Research Reserve
Sapelo Island, GA

08/12/2026

The Art Show

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On the sweltering evening of Friday, August 7, 2026 - the hot place to be was at the McIntosh County Art Association’s “Old Jail Art Center” - for the opening night and Artist Reception for a brand-new Art Show. The Show had been months in the making -with lots of planning and dreaming by all those involved in creating a night that would be spectacular. The Artists had also been very busy creating their works of wonder - and the date for their night to shine was quickly approaching. The announcements for the Show had been published, everything was checked off of the to-do list, and the time for the Artist debut at the Old Jail Art Center - in downtown Darien, GA - right beside the majestic Kit Jones boat (which is a work of art itself) - was getting close.

In 1976, the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve ( or SINERR ) was established as the second Reserve around the borders of the United States. In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of SINERR - the Reserve invited artists - from near and far - to participate in their Artist-in-Residence program. Over the course of several weeks in the Spring and early Summer of 2026, the selected artists were invited to be SINERR’s guests on Sapelo Island for the weekend - where they were given the opportunity to get a feel for the Reserve - and to begin their journey of producing works of art - in their chosen style - to be a part of the upcoming Art Show.

Also - in the early months of Spring - the students in the art programs at the McIntosh Middle School and McIntosh County Academy participated in an assignment to produce works of art that captured the story of our beautiful estuary - right here at our home on the magnificent coast of Georgia. Their outstanding works of art - which showcased the theme of “Georgia’s Productive Estuary” were on display at the Ida Hilton Library on March 12th at the Student Art Show. After the Show at the Library was over, the amazing works of art - created by talented middle school and high school students - moved to the Sapelo Island Visitors Center in Meridian - for the rest of the month. The winners of that impressive show were going to be a part of the big art show at the Old Jail Art Center.

After months of planning and anticipation, the opening night of one of the signature events of the year-long 50th Anniversary festivities had finally arrived. The Show was very well attended - at times the guests were shoulder-to-shoulder - by a wide selection of people who came out to see the Show, to admire the beautiful works of art in a variety of styles, and to help celebrate the Reserve’s 50th Anniversary.

As I walked through the Show, I was in awe of how perfectly the artists - students and adults alike - had so eloquently told the story of the Sapelo Island Reserve - by their spectacular creations. Each work of art was unique and special - just like our beloved Sapelo Island Reserve. The Art Association’s staff and Reserve staff had done such an outstanding job of arranging the displays of magnificent art. Because of their efforts - and their eyes for excellence - the Show effortlessly flowed from room to room. I walked away from the Show later that evening - with a sense of pride and thankfulness - to be just a small part of such a wonderful place - with a fantastic history of greatness - and the unlimited possibilities for a very bright future. My heart was full of joy from getting to see familiar faces - as well as meeting new people. It was truly an evening for art, for friendship, and for our marvelous Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve.

If you were not able to attend the opening night of the Art Show - you are still in luck. The Art Show will run throughout the rest of August - and also for the whole month of September. I highly recommend that you take the opportunity to stop by the Old Jail Art Center - to check out the SINERR Art Show - as well as the other beautiful works of art displayed throughout the building. Their gift shop is amazing, as well. You can even make it a destination trip, and visit the upstairs museum of local McIntosh County history - and actually see the old jail cells from the Art Center’s former life. As we march on towards the end of the year, there are still opportunities to be a part of our 50th Anniversary celebration of SINERR’s 50 years of Stewardship, Research, Education, and Conservation. Be sure to check out our website at: www.sapelonerr.org, our social media pages, and local newspapers for our event announcements.

Fifty years - what a milestone for such a special place that is so dear to my heart! Happy 50th Anniversary, Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve! As did those who have come before us - may we always be good stewards to you - and the beautiful Georgia coast!

🌳🐬🌿🦐🌿🐡🌿🦝🌿🦦🌿🐟🌿🐊🌳

Stacy Rowe, Manager
Sapelo Island Visitors Center

Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve
Sapelo Island, GA

08/01/2026

This is sure to be a fantastic evening of art and celebration of 50 years of the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve!

08/01/2026

A Treasure from Trash

I have always heard that - when life hands you lemons - make lemonade. By doing that, you will have something good to drink - to keep you from being thirsty.

I have also heard that - when life hands you a bag of scrap cloth - make a quilt. Making a quilt will help you to stay warm on a cold, cold winter’s night.

Well - I have something new to share with y’all: when you find trash on the beach (or anywhere, for that matter) - make a work of art out of it. That is exactly what a group of artists did recently. They picked up a bunch of trash from the beach - after a large gathering - and rather than sending it all to the landfill, they reinvented the trash into a work of art.

Now, their project of good will - for the environment, for others to enjoy, and for the safety of the creatures of the sea - is on display at the Sapelo Island Visitors Center. The Sapelo Island Visitors Center is located in Meridian, Georgia - close to the ferry dock for the beautiful Georgia barrier island - that is named Sapelo Island. There, you will find information and exhibits about Sapelo Island - and now, this new creation of trash - turned into art.

The moral of the story is: whatever life throws at you - be it lemons, or scraps of cloth, or trash on the beach - you can always turn it into something you can use, and create something that is meaningful. All you have to do is: have a desire to do something good, be creative, and be willing to try.

Stacy Rowe, Manager
Sapelo Island Visitors Center

Sapelo Island National Estuarine
Research Reserve
McIntosh County, Georgia

07/20/2026

Get ready for a night of entertainment, including some side-splitting shorts, at the Tides & Tales Film Festival! 🎥😂 Check out the trailer to Unlikely Mermaid below.

Tickets are $10, plus a cash bar to wet your whistle and free popcorn to munch on! 🍿

Don't be a landlubber, grab your tix now at: https://business.darienmcintoshchamber.com/events/Details/2026-tides-tales-film-fest-1743909?sourceTypeId=EmailInvitation

This is "UNLIKELY MERMAID TRAILER" by Lorraine Portman on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

07/16/2026

Sweet memories of a Great job, Adam and Nikki! My co-workers and friends making a difference - I’m sure the blue heron was grateful! ❤️