The Hebard Tract is a recreational timber investment property located just east of the town of Folkston.  The Varn family has owned this land for generations and this particular property adjoins their Family Farm along paved Hwy 40, which runs between Folkston and Kingsland.  This property is ideally situated along an expansive natural hardwood bottom and seasonal creek that flows directly into the St Mary’s River and contains some of the most beautiful hardwood bottomland forests in all of coastal Georgia.  Thoughtfully preserved by the family for well over 100 years, it is a peaceful and tranquil place to spend some quality time in a stand waiting on the wildlife to move thru or nestled in next to a big live oak waiting for the natural world to wake up. “These places are increasingly rare to find unless a family has had the forethought and care to protect them. Planted pines are good for income and, when properly managed with fire, can hold good populations of wildlife but it is these pristine hardwood bottom forests that “hold the world together” and provide a sanctuary for wildlife and humans alike. They are the special places.”

The property is made up of both planted pine uplands and bottomland forest and provides both timber income and recreational opportunities.    The property includes a short length of river frontage on the St Mary’s allowing access to this beautiful river directly across from the Ralph Simmons State Park on the Florida side, ensuring the riverfront in this stretch will never be developed.

Location

It is convenient to access being 16 miles west of the Kingsland exit on I-95 at Hwy 40, which is a 4-lane paved highway.   The Jacksonville Airport is 21 miles south of the Kingsland exit.  The St Mary’s River corridor, which serves as the border between Florida and Georgia, is known for its high quality turkey hunting and is a well-preserved and scenic river that leads to the Atlantic, just after it passes under I-95 at Kingsland.

Investment

This area has seen incredible investment over the last decade by notable land stewards such as Mark Walter who purchased White Oak Conservation from the Gilman Foundation and significantly increased its size since purchase, The Nature Conservancy who moved quickly to acquire Cabin Bluff and has since sold it to various conservation minded groups and Philip Anschutz, who purchased Broadfield, an exclusive members only hunting and sporting club associated with Sea Island.  White Oak Conservation continues its’ conservation legacy, being a recipient site for both the endangered White Rhino and Florida Panther, it is a spectacular place to visit, observe endangered species and play golf, just downstream from the Hebard Property.

Property Map