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2013 was the first year of implementation for the Kiawah Conservancy’s newly adopted strategic plan. We focused our efforts on making significant
progress toward year one goals. Highlights of our year include:
As a land trust, we hold and manage 23 properties, totaling 330 acres. Recently, we added a habitat rich parcel in the Preserve to that list. We are also actively
encouraging habitat preservation and enhancement on privately owned property. We worked closely with the Architectural Review Board and the Kiawah Island
Community Association (KICA) on the Naturally Kiawah Habitat Recognition emblem program. These emblems, displayed on mailbox posts, acknowledge habitat
friendly landscaping on more than half of all private properties on Kiawah. This represents approximately 300 acres of wildlife habitat.
Our Naturally Kiawah Demonstration Garden in Night Heron Park opened in July. The garden enables property owners to learn about types of landscaping
that facilitate wildlife. It is a popular attraction with property owners and visitors and has garnered recognition from visiting professionals. The Kiawah Island Golf
Resort and its Nature Center partner with us on this important project. KICA has participated by contributing native plant material.
We revised our signature publication, Naturally Kiawah, adding content and emphasizing information useful to property owners. Subsequently, we mailed
the inaugural edition of our Annual Report and volumes 30 and 31 of Naturally Kiawah to all property owners. We expanded Conservation Matters, our monthly
educational program, and achieved record attendance. Also, we initiated an E-newsletter,The Conservation Connection, and you can find us on Facebook and Twitter.
The Kiawah Conservancy’s Environmental Science Committee completed a thorough review of the 1975 Kiawah Environmental Inventory and will be
reporting on it in upcoming months. We continue to partner with the Town of Kiawah Island on wildlife research: providing additional GPS collars for Kiawah’s
nationally recognized bobcat study; and providing lodging and stipends for interns to assist in annual fall migration bird banding. The Kiawah bird banding station is
recognized as one of the foremost in the southeast.
Total revenues were comparable to the prior year, in spite of a decrease in cash contributions. A one-time memorial donation in 2012 accounts for most of
that difference. Additionally, we did not receive an anticipated grant of $50,000 from the Town of Kiawah due to a procedural change by the Town. The decrease in
cash income was more than offset by the gift of land in the Preserve valued at $100,000. Expenditures for program increased $122,000 reflecting our commitment to
major goals highlighted above, including up front funding of the Naturally Kiawah Demonstration Garden.
As you can see, in addition to business as usual, we have devoted energy and resources to several new projects designed to focus on habitat preservation,
inform property owners and further the mission of the Conservancy. We are grateful for the support you have given to us and are proud of the progress we have made
on your behalf.
Chair, 2013 Board of Trustees
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