Ecology and Ashantilly. In 1976, William G. Haynes Jr. organized a conference
called "Man in the Landscape" as part of the Bicentennial celebration in
McIntosh County, Georgia. According to the proceedings, "The Purpose of the
conference was to enquire into ways of harmonious use of the resources of our
historic and natural areas positively, profitably, and to ensure their many
values will not be diminished." The influence of naturalist William Bartram is
clear from the title page through the appendices. Bartram's references to
coastal Georgia emphasized the relationship between the inhabitants and the
natural world. Haynes recruited speakers who were experts on Georgia history,
the culture of the area, and environmental issues. Field tours were organized to
significant sites in the area, including Fort Barrington, Sapelo Island,
Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, and Lewis Island. As part of the conference canoe
trips were led on the Altamaha River. Special programs were also provided on
natural resources to appeal to the children who attended.
Haynes was not new to the concept of organizing environmental action
meetings. In 1971 he led the "Rally for the Protection of the Altamaha River" to
oppose efforts to "channelize" the river by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. A
study by Georgia Tech had recommended that the Corps could use the Altamaha for
barge transportation and power production if the river were developed properly.
Haynes and others objected on the basis that the study did not consider the
environmental damage caused by the proposed engineering changes to the
"free-flowing river" and the effects on the people in the area. The Rally drew a
large crowd and was successful in stopping the project.
During the 1970s Bill Haynes advocated the need to maintain the natural
resources while trying to improve economic development. In a letter to George
Busbee, then Governor of Georgia, Haynes says, "The abundance of wild and
relatively unspoiled natural scenery suggests that herein lie our real assets.
These are the elements of Georgia's coastal identity." He suggests in the letter
that Georgia's Natural Resources and Tourism officials should focus on "Nature
Tourism" as opposed to the "urban-type recreation of Jekyll-St. Simons and
Hilton Head." It is amazing that now, after 20 years of further development,
others are realizing the same thing Bill Haynes advocated for alternatives.
People are complaining about the damage from pollution now being "discovered" in
the industrial areas of Glynn and other coastal counties and advocating nature
tourism or "eco tourism" as an acceptable approach to safe economic development.
Bill Haynes has now turned over his home and property to the Ashantilly
Center, Inc., for the purpose of creating a community center for educating and
training residents of Coastal Georgia in job skills which will promote the
economy and not deplete or harm the natural resources. It is his hope that by
training people for jobs in historic building and printing methods and as tour
guides, that individuals will earn more and the economy of the area can benefit
from small businesses which would develop. We are working to make his vision
become reality.
Links:
The Ashantilly Center
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11 of The Rambler
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