Tour Season Wrap Up with Guide Zac Roland
Written by Zac Roland
Our 2025-2026 tour season was a huge success! We checked in with board member and expert tour guide Zac Roland to hear about his role with the Friends group, and what made this tour season so unique.
What is your role with the Friends of St. Vincent, and what is your role with the tours? How long have you been involved?
I serve as both a volunteer and a board member for the Friends of St. Vincent. I’ve been involved since 2023, and it’s been rewarding to see how people connect with this special place. I had the fortunate opportunity to be trained by Carol Brown to start leading the walking tours. From there, I began facilitating those tours. Once we introduced the wagon, I led some of the first wagon tours on the island following Hurricane Michael. Additionally, I’ve worked with biologist Bradley Smith of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on sea turtle, red wolf, and bird projects.
What inspired you to get involved in St. Vincent Island tours?
What inspired me was my background in biology and my previous work at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. When the opportunity came up to get involved with St. Vincent Island, it felt like a chance to reconnect with that passion for conservation.
Walk us through what a tour day looks like. What does it entail?
Tour days start with welcoming visitors and getting everyone ready. Once we head over to the island, the experience is part education, part exploration. Walking tours offer a quiet chance to see animals—this year, I even saw an Asian sambar deer for the first time. On wagon tours, we get about an hour at the far end to explore on foot, enjoy a picnic lunch, see the marked burial site, and view the historic cabin that was built in the early 1900s.
How was this tour season compared to previous years?
This season stood out because we had returning visitors who hadn’t been on wagon tours in years and many locals visiting for the first time. Their enthusiasm made it extra special.
What was the most memorable wildlife sighting or moment this year?
On a wagon tour, we spotted an Asian sambar deer—he watched us, bugled (like an elk call), and ran off. Also, seeing the alligators at the ponds on the way back is always fun.
What advice would you give to folks visiting on their own?
Bring water, dress for unexpected weather conditions, be patient, and respect guidelines. The lettered roads run east-west, B is best, and numbered roads lead to the beach. Sign the guestbook on arrival so the refuge has a record.
What do you enjoy most about the tours? What are you looking forward to next season?
I love helping people connect with the island’s wildlife and history. Next season, I look forward to welcoming new visitors and continuing to support the refuge. And, honestly, I love a picnic lunch at the cabin’s picnic table—it really makes the day!
Want to join in on one of next season’s tours? Check our tour calendar for dates. Sign-ups open the Friday before each tour at 8 a.m. eastern time.