
Nature Sounds on Cumberland Island
Nature Sounds Are Necessary
Nature sounds affect the integrity and functions of entire ecosystems – in ways that we are just beginning to understand.
Excessive and/or inappropriate noise can be detrimental to wildlife (not to mention wilderness character), affecting everything from communication and foraging to navigation and mating. Read more here.
Animals detect sound even when they are asleep — and losing the ability to hear those sounds can have consequences (such as obscuring a predator’s approach or making it difficult to differentiate potential mates).
Noise changes the distribution of birds, which are important pollinators and seed dispersers — reducing the recruitment of seedlings.
When noise impacts are combined with other stressors — such as weather or disease — it can have dire implications.
Protecting Quiet & Nature Sounds
Preservation of acoustical environments and noise reduction in parks are guided by multiple laws, regulations, and policies.
The Organic Act specifically establishes an obligation for the National Park Service to protect our natural resources — including nature sounds. Quiet and solitude, attributable to the lack of modern development, are also important elements of wilderness character.
Examination of the acoustic environment is critical at all levels of park planning. When land managers actively manage to reduce noise, it benefits ecosystems and can improve your personal health (as well as your visitor experience).
While some noises may be unavoidable, NPS management policies actually require managers to “monitor mechanical noise that adversely affects opportunities to enjoy park soundscapes.”
Park managers may select quieter tools (using a handsaw instead of a chainsaw, for instance) or schedule work during times when they will have the least impact.
While some noises may be unavoidable, NPS management policies actually require managers to “monitor mechanical noise that adversely affects opportunities to enjoy park soundscapes.”
Park managers may select quieter tools (using a handsaw instead of a chainsaw, for instance) or schedule work during times when they will have the least impact.
Types of noises you may experience when visiting Cumberland Island National Seashore
Nature Sounds of Cumberland
Audio by: Greg Cuson
Forest Walking:
Rain and Birds:
Waves Crashing Shoreline:
Calm Waves Lapping:
Frog Pond:
Large Barred Owl:
Boar:
Dove by the Shore:
Alligator Bellow Chuff:
Small Swamp Pond:
Learn more about the health benefits of natural sounds and their distribution in national parks here.
View a NPS map of sound conditions in 2021 here.
Airports within 100 Miles of Cumberland Island:
Stafford Airport
Cumberland Island, GA
Jekyll Island Airport
Jekyll Island, GA
St Simons Regional Airport
St Simons, GA
Brunswick Golden Isles (GA)
Brunswick, GA
Savannah (GA)
Savannah, GA
Jacksonville (FL)
Jacksonville, FL
Fernandina (FL)
Fernandina, FL
Nassau Airport (FL)
Nassau Airport, FL
St. Augustine (FL)
St. Augustine, FL
Mayport (FL)
Mayport, FL
Take Action to Protect Nature Sounds
Let the NPS know that you value the quiet and nature sounds of Cumberland Island and want management to actively work to protect these values.
Nature Sounds Related Links:
- NPS Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1050/index.htm
- NPS Air Tours: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/sound/airtours.htm
- NPS Recommendations for Reducing
- Noise Impacts in National Parks
Recommended Reading:
How Can You Protect Nature Sounds on Cumberland Island?
All visitors can help Cumberland Island’s inhabitants have a better chance of reproduction and survival by following these recommendations:
- Be aware of the impacts your noise may have on wildlife and other visitors.
- Take moments to appreciate the natural soundscape (and encourage others to do the same).
- Reduce excessive or noisy gear like squeaky wheels, banging cups, etc.
- Adhere to campground quiet hours. Make sure your pre-dawn alarm isn’t so loud that it will wake others!
- Avoid using speakerphones and external speakers. Use earphones if necessary.
- Use low voices.
- If you encounter excessive noise from other visitors or activities, report it to NPS staff.
FAQ
HOW IS “NOISE” MEASURED?
Noise is hard to quantify at large-landscape scales because it can’t be measured by satellite or other visual observations. Instead, researchers have to collect acoustic recordings over a wide area.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR AIRSPACE MANAGEMENT?
The FAA regulates airspace use, efficiency, and noise, and maintains and operates navigation systems for both civil and military aircraft.
Would Cumberland Island benefit from a Quiet Conservation Area Award?
“Quiet Conservation Areas (QCA) are natural areas of exceptional quality that may provide opportunities for quiet human enjoyment yet are at-risk from noise pollution.
QCAs are awarded by Quiet Parks International to geographic locations where land manager(s) and/or land owner(s) actively seek to protect and/or restore natural quiet for the benefit of all life.
There is no test applied to these locations. A Quiet Conservation Area Award is presented to any location, terrestrial or aquatic, any size, either public or private, in any condition (natural or cultural) that has a clearly stated and effective Quiet Management Policy (QMP), which clearly recognize the value of natural quiet.”