Located on the southwest side of Jekyll Island, adjacent to the salt marsh on the pristine ’Tidelands’ salt pond, 4-H Tidelands Nature Center offers hands-on coastal ecology programs for the general public and school groups, guided kayak tours, canoe rentals, and a live coastal species exhibit gallery. In keeping with Georgia 4-H Environmental Education program objectives, Tidelands strives to develop an awareness, knowledge, and appreciation for the environment, as we connect participants with Georgia’s coastal ecosystems.

From the early Native Americans to guests from around the world, the story of our island has been captivating the imaginations of explorers for generations.

In 1733, General James Oglethorpe named Jekyll Island in honor of Sir Joseph Jekyll, his friend and financier from England. In the late 1800s, Jekyll Island became an exclusive hunting club for families with names like Rockefeller, Morgan, Vanderbilt, Pulitzer, and Baker. The once private retreat is now part of The Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District, one of the largest preservation projects in the southeast.

In 1947, the Governor and the Georgia state legislature established Jekyll Island as a State Park. Today, the island is a special sanctuary for each of us – and the Jekyll Island Authority is proud to share our island’s history.