Land Conservation Successes:
2014 and Beyond
I
n 2014, the Kiawah Conservancy accepted donation of two properties: 128
Halona Lane (0.24 acres) and 130 Halona Lane (0.16 acres). The combined
footprint of these properties, located in the southeastern portion of the
Indigo Park subdivision, provides 0.40 acres of contiguous protected
wildlife habitat.
The properties consist primarily of maritime forest habitat: southern magnolia,
live oak, cabbage palmetto and loblolly pine are common canopy species, while
yaupon holly and wax myrtle dominate the forest understory. Vines that often
provide important food sources for birds are also common throughout the
properties. The mature maritime forest, understory layer, and early successional
habitat found on these properties have great ecological value.
The Town of Kiawah Island’s 2014 Bobcat Management Guidelines indicate that
these properties are associated with a newly delineated “Important Bobcat Area.”
The most recent Guidelines reflect Bobcat 700’s use of the area with her kittens in
the spring of 2013 as a den site.
Building on the success of 2014, the Conservancy accepted four additional
properties in early 2015. 132 Halona Lane, accepted on February 23, 2015, is located
adjacent to 128 and 130 Halona Lane and further increases the footprint of protected
wildlife habitat in that “Important Bobcat Area.” In January 2015, Kiawah Partners,
in cooperation with the Kiawah Island Community Association (KICA), transferred
three parcels to the Kiawah Conservancy for preservation and protection. The
properties, Marsh Island Park, Osprey Point Nature Area, and the Ocean Course
Drive Nature Area, at a combined total of just under 15 acres, represent one of the
most significant land conservation efforts in Kiawah Island’s history.
With the addition of these six properties in 2014–2015, the Co