The Stories of the Salt Marsh
Oral History Informs Salt Marsh Conservation on Georgia’s Coast
Oral histories serve as a bridge; a shimmering thread that connects the empirical rigor of scientific study with the rich, textured experiences of coastal communities. The oral histories collected from the Georgia Conservancy’s 2024/25 South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative (SASMI) workshops form a mosaic of memories, each piece a glimpse into the evolving relationship between people and the marsh. In these stories, science meets soul, history embraces hope, and the marshlands stand as both a sanctuary and a battleground. These narratives are a portal into time, bridging the past and present to guide the future.
Local storytellers Ami Traore and Krystal Hart of Seabrook Village thoughtfully engaged with attendees, carefully identifying individuals with unique experiences and perspectives. Their efforts laid the foundation for Georgia Conservancy’s Monét Murphy to capture meaningful and diverse narratives. This approach involved recording interviews and carefully analyzing and dissecting accounts to uncover deeper insights and themes.
Below are highlights from the many individuals who contributed their oral histories:
A grandfather-granddaughter duo who share a bond deeply rooted in the persistent, yet ever-changing, lands and waters of the coast. Ever-evolving, too, are work and educational opportunities, which ebb and flow much like the tides. Both dream that the wealth of the landscape will sustain and provide for all who call it home. Click here to read their story.
A longtime marshland advocate who has seen with her own eyes how the tides are different, the storms more frequent, and the brackish waters rising dangerously to her doorstep. Though she has mended to the marshlands for a lifetime, she does not know how to prepare for a rapidly changing coastal future.
A Marine Science undergraduate at Savannah State University, introduced to Georgia’s marshes with fresh eyes, captivated by the universal draw of this teeming world of fiddler crabs and spartina grass. Her enthusiasm and belief in the power of change reflect both the curiosity of a newcomer and the deep connection these fragile ecosystems inspire across generations.
A frontline coastal community and Gullah Geechee resident, who has witnessed the draining and paving over of marshland over a lifetime. However, the marsh’s essence - as that of the Gullah Geechee people - is rooted in a legacy of resilience.
A scientist observing the quantitative changes of the marsh - dwindling fish populations, salinity shifts - who is grappling with the immeasurable changes, the spiritual and cultural connections, that must also be recorded and protected.
A leader with Keep Golden Isles Beautiful, inspires a new generation of conservationists by transforming trash into treasure and teaching the value of recycling to third-graders. Her passion drives community initiatives that protect vital ecosystems, showing how small acts of care can create lasting ripples of sustainability.
A leader in Brunswick who passionately advocates for her community through her neighborhood planning association, highlighting the neglect that has allowed history to fade: dilapidated buildings, forgotten parks, and polluted neighborhoods. Despite the environmental and cultural destruction, she finds hope in the younger generation, inspiring them to rise up, restore what has been lost, and fight for justice in marginalized communities regardless of their own cultural background.
