Sandy West dies on her 108th birthday - She saved Ossabaw Island from Development

Below is an article I wrote in 2004 about Sandy West and Ossabaw Island. May she rest in peace.

The third largest barrier island of Georgia, Ossabaw, twice the size of Bermuda, is home to more alligators than human beings.

Ossabaw, one of the primary islands that serve as a barrier to the fury and storms of the Atlantic Ocean, hugs the Georgia coastline just seven miles as the crow flies from Savannah.  Ossabaw, only accessible by boat, is teeming with wildlife, some of it feral, most of it native.  Armadillos, deer, diamond-back rattlers, donkeys, peacocks and a boar species called Ossabaw Island Hog, are just some of the many critters that stalk the terra ferma of Ossabaw.

26,000 acres of land, tidal marches, swamps, streams, palm bushes, oak trees draped with Spanish moss (one estimated to be more 600 years old) and over a dozen miles of totally undeveloped beaches make up the profile of Ossabaw.

In continuous use by humans since 2000 BC and once the domain of Native Americans, Spanish missionaries and African American slaves. Arguably, no other human has had more of an influence on Ossabaw island than Mrs. Eleanor Torrey West, or as her friends call her “Sandy”, has been a part of Ossabaw since 1924.  This incredibly spry 91 years-young woman, has almost single handedly saved this natural island paradise from an impending threat of large-scale development in the late 1970’s.  And she continues her fight today to ensure that Ossabaw remains “solely for natural, scientific and cultural study, research and education and environmentally sound preservation of the island’s ecosystem.”

In 1961 Mrs. West and her husband established The Ossabaw Island Project, built on the vision, “That man must understand as fully as he can his relation to the environment and the relation of the environment to him.”

Inspiring thousands of visitors with the magic of Ossabaw, by the late 70’s after 21 years as an enclave for artists, scientists, and wildlife enthusiasts, Mrs. West – running short on cash - was unable to continue to fund the educational efforts and meet all of the other financial requirements that come with owning and operating a foundation and 26,000 acre island.  Mrs. West estimates that she spent as much as $500,000 per year running the project.  Running short of financial resources, selling part or all of the island became a necessity.

Mrs. West suffered through a handful of pitches to buy the Island – none of which shared her inspiration to keep the island in its natural state and as a source of inspiration and place for environmental education.  Near the end of her rope, and determined to preserve the island from development, a nearly heart broken Mrs. West, strolling the beach and contemplating the fate of the island, came across a 24 inch diameter metal Coca-Cola Red Disk that had some how washed up on the beach.  It was a sign of things to come.

Around this same time, one of the visitors to the Project became aware of West’s dilemma and convinced her attorney father to lobby his boss, Coca-Cola’s own Robert W. Woodruff, to help.  After several attempts, Mr. Woodruff agreed to personally donate $ 4 million to help preserve Ossabaw.

The State of Georgia came up with another $ 4 million and with the help of The Nature Conservancy, Ossabaw was donated/sold, at less than half its assessed value on the condition that it be forever used “solely for natural, scientific and cultural study, research and education and environmentally sound preservation of the island’s ecosystem.” As a result, in 1978, Ossabaw Island became Georgia’s first Heritage Preserve.

Ossabaw is a microcosm of American natural and human history. According to the Ossabaw Island Foundation, the island has more than 200 archaeological sites with artifacts dating back more than 4,000 years.  It also boasts the longest serving dirt road in continuous use in the United States.

Sandy West has dedicated her life to keeping Ossabaw Island wild and free.  Having visited Ossabaw on three occasions, I believe it would be a crime if Ossabaw were ever allowed to become a frequent hunting ground, a State Park, golf course or subdivision.  For me, at least, Ossabaw will always be the natural laboratory of one woman that has a sustainable vision to inspire environmental awareness and stewardship. Thus far, Sandy has been successful in keeping this one place wild and free.  Let’s hope it stays that way.  Sandy, thanks for sharing Ossabaw with me.  It is an incredible place to get an education.

Jeffrey Foote

May 2004