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2012 marked the 15 anniversary of the incorporation of the Kiawah Conservancy as the Island’s land trust and only non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
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The year also saw a rebound in financial results, progress on our most important habitat preservation and improvement programs and a successful effort to define our
future. Here are the key highlights.
Total operating revenues rose by $147,000 from 2011, bringing us back to 2007 levels. Revenue from our overnight guest program with the Kiawah Island Golf
Resort and other rental agencies reversed a six year decline. Unrestricted donations, including $50,000 from the Town of Kiawah Island allowed us to publish volumes
28 and 29 of Naturally Kiawah and mail them to all 4,000 plus property owners. In addition, for the first time a Special Guest Edition of Naturally Kiawah was produced.
Unrestricted gifts also allowed us to expand our long-running educational series, Conservation Matters.
We raised $33,000 for the James L. Chitwood Science Fellowship, which is being used to support research and to fund the Naturally Kiawah Garden in Night
Heron Park. We are partnering with the Kiawah Island Golf Resort and their Nature Center to provide a demonstration garden with examples of attractive plantings that
provide habitat for sustaining wildlife.
Partnerships are important to us. We continue to partner with the Town of Kiawah Island on three wildlife research efforts: bobcat GPS monitoring; providing
lodging and stipends for three interns to assist with fall migration banding; and planning initial coyote monitoring. We are working closely with the Town to address the
threat that tallow trees present to our critical freshwater wetlands. During 2012 we also partnered with the College of Charleston to facilitate a comprehensive reptile and
amphibian survey.
Internally, we conducted three studies relating to local habitat. The first was an exhaustive visual evaluation of the landscaping of every Kiawah home to determine
whether they could be considered “habitat friendly.” The good news is that more than 50% met that standard. This information is useful as we consider the effect on
wildlife as we approach build out. The second study involved an analysis of the entire Island’s habitat types and land uses and evaluated prospective preservation and
improvement opportunities. In the final study, we identified a relatively small number of specific lots for either habitat improvement or selective acquisition based on their
importance to wildlife.
Another major undertaking for the Kiawah Conservancy was the adoption of a community-driven strategic plan giving us a blueprint for the next eight years.
This 12-month effort, under the auspices of incoming chair, Sue Corcoran, resulted in a refreshed mission statement and rigorous achievement goals.
This first annual report of the Kiawah Conservancy is another step in accountability for the gifts you have entrusted to us. We appreciate our loyal supporters and
look forward to raising awareness among those not yet committed to our cause.
Chairman, 2012 Board of Trustees
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