Article by Emily McCoy, FASLA, PLA, SITES AP
Jekyll Island is a barrier island off the coast of Georgia, shaped each day by tides, storms, and gradual sea level rise. These forces have always been present, but they are becoming more visible and more disruptive. At the Oleander site, that change shows up in standing water after storms, stressed vegetation, and areas that no longer function as they once did.
The site reflects a broader challenge facing coastal landscapes. Systems designed for stability are now under pressure from constant change. This project begins by asking a different question. Instead of trying to restore past conditions, what if the landscape is allowed to evolve into something more resilient?
The answer starts with the ground itself. Large areas of maintained turf are reconsidered, opening space for native coastal systems to reemerge. Grasses, pines, and wetland species begin to reestablish patterns that reflect the island’s natural structure. The landscape shifts from a controlled surface to a more adaptive framework, one that can respond to water, salt, and seasonal variation over time.
This approach is also guided by habitat goals for key species, making ecological performance a defining measure of success. Upland zones are shaped to support species that rely on open, well-drained conditions, while diverse planting across the site creates continuous resources for pollinators. Expanded wetlands provide habitat for wading birds, and variable water conditions support amphibians and aquatic life. Along higher ground, layered forest structure offers shelter and food for migratory and resident bird species. Together, these strategies ensure the landscape functions not only as a system, but as habitat.
Planting design guides this transition. Moving across the site, the landscape steps gradually from dry ground to wet conditions. Higher areas support drought-tolerant species, while lower zones are designed to accept and recover from periodic flooding. At the lowest elevations, marsh and wetland plants absorb daily and seasonal water movement. These zones are not fixed edges, but shifting boundaries that adjust as conditions change.
Water is no longer treated as something to remove. It becomes a defining force in how the landscape performs. During storms, low areas fill and hold water, reducing stress on the surrounding ground. As conditions dry, that water filters into the soil or moves into adjacent wetlands. Over time, this cycle supports healthier systems and reduces the need for constant intervention.
As these changes take hold, the site begins to operate differently. Areas that once required frequent repair stabilize under new conditions. Plant communities establish and expand. The landscape becomes less dependent on inputs and more aligned with its environment.
The design also looks ahead. As sea levels continue to rise, portions of the site will transition further toward wetland conditions. This shift is anticipated, not resisted. Flood-tolerant plant communities are placed where they can expand, and grading is calibrated to guide future water movement. The result is a landscape prepared for change, rather than one that must be repeatedly corrected.
For visitors, the experience becomes one of observation as much as use. Subtle shifts in planting and topography reveal how the site responds over time. Seasonal changes become more legible. The landscape tells a story of adaptation, showing how coastal systems can evolve and endure.
This is the value of the project at Jekyll Island. It moves beyond preservation toward transformation, offering a model for how vulnerable sites can be reimagined. By aligning planting, water, and long-term change, the design creates a framework that supports both ecological health and future use.
In this way, the site becomes a living system rather than a fixed destination. It demonstrates that resilience is not about returning to what was, but about shaping what comes next.
Images Credit: Brandon Huttenlocher/Design Workshop
Article by Emily McCoy, FASLA, PLA, SITES AP
Principal and Board Member, Design Workshop, Inc.
As a landscape architect, educator and ecologist, Emily approaches every project as an opportunity to celebrate the intersection of natural and cultural narratives of place through design. Her professional practice and research spans internationally, leading conversations within the design and planning communities on maximizing landscape performance to perform social and environmental services. Throughout her career, she has worked on a wide range of award-winning projects across the world that are models for integrating environmental, social and economic sustainability. Emily is a published author and Associate Professor at NC State University, where she holds a Master of Landscape Architecture degree and a GIS certificate. Emily is also passionate about her service to organizations such as the Landscape Architecture Foundation (Board Emeritus), NC A&T Landscape Architecture Advisory Committee, and the Design Workshop Foundation.