b"RARE PRESERVEUnlike most of the Sea Islands along the stretch ofBut the constant coastal wind had gnarled the trees, Atlantic coast between North Carolina and northmaking them unsuitable for Berolzheimer's plans. Florida, Little St. Simons Island was never cleared forWithin a few years, the island became a family agriculture like so many of the barrier islands retreat, and in 1979, Berolzheimer's descendants in the Southeast. opened their family's compound as a lodge. The island's antebellum owner used the land to raiseMore than 20 years later, former lodge guests Hank livestock. Over the years, the property was largelyand Wendy Paulson bought the property, and in left as a feeding ground for at least 300 species of2007 hired a full-time ecological manager.birds, many of which stop there along their seasonal migration to gorge on fiddler crabs and other wildlife.In 2015, the Paulsons secured the island's future as a preserve by donating a conservation easement to In 1908, Philip Berolzheimer of the Eagle PencilThe Nature Conservancy.Company bought the island in hopes of harvesting its cedar trees to make pencils.The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island (top) welcomes up to 32 visitors at a time. Local fauna (bottom), fiddler crabs and their natural predators.Whos Minding the Planet? 53"