The Habitat Health of Kiawah Island
K
iawah’s rich ecology is exhibited by the
various habitats found across the Island
and the numerous wildlife species
those habitats support. Collectively, the
variety of flora found in the maritime forests, tidal salt
marshes and shrub thickets provides support for a great
diversity of wildlife. As a developed, resort community,
this makes Kiawah Island especially unique.
Gaining a complete understanding of the Island’s
different habitats allows the Kiawah Conservancy to
make important decisions regarding land conservation
and habitat improvement. The following information
provides a review of the current state of the Island’s
habitat health:
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Kiawah Island Habitats
Intertidal Beach: Nesting and foraging space for a
variety of shorebirds
•• Dunes: Nesting place for our sea turtles and an
important natural buffer for the Island
•• Maritime Shrub Thicket: The most important
daytime resting cover for bobcats
•• Maritime Forest: The most diverse habitat on
Kiawah, supporting a host of wildlife
•• Salt Shrub Thicket: A key space for painted buntings
and other migratory songbirds
•• Tidal Salt Marsh: One of the most productive habitat
types on Earth, the marsh also provides space for
wading birds and nursery areas for fish
•• Ponds: Heavily utilized by alligators, wading birds
and migratory waterfowl
•• Freshwater Wetlands: Critical habitat for amphibian
populations
The remaining portions of the Island are composed
primarily of developed land, golf courses, streets and
parks
Naturally Kiawah Habitat Program
The Naturally Kiawah Habitat Program was developed
to encourage property owners to partner with the
Kiawah Conservancy in its mission by restoring and
maintaining wildlife habitat in residential landscapes.
As development continues on the Island, enhancement
of these areas is essential to the success of many of our
wildlife species.
For an owner’s landscape to meet the Naturally
Kiawah designation, it must provide wildlife habitat by
exhibiting the following features:
Dense side buffers that include a variety of
understory and ground cover plantings adjacent to
neighboring properties… Buffer strips provide a means