With the addition of these properties in 2017 , the Kiawah Conservancy currently protects 45 properties totaling 1,117 acres on and around Kiawah Island . With examples of each of the Island ’ s diverse habitat types now protected by the Kiawah Conservancy and a robust Naturally Kiawah Habitat Recognition Program , we are increasingly positioned to ensure the ongoing health of the Island ’ s ecosystems as our community grows and approaches build-out .
We offer our deepest appreciation for these gifts of land . Natural habitat , where it exists across the Island , is extremely important to wildlife . Even small pockets are frequently used as resting cover or in conjunction with movement corridors by a variety of Kiawah ’ s resident and migratory wildlife species .
If you own undeveloped land on Kiawah and are interested in learning more about donating property to the Kiawah Conservancy , please contact our Land Preservation Coordinator , Justin Core , at justin @ kiawahconservancy . org or 843-768-2029 . A gift of land in perpetuity dramatically supports the Kiawah Conservancy ’ s mission . To learn more about the Conservancy and its conservation lands , visit www . kiawahconservancy . org .
Photo by Kathy Keane
2017 Land Stewardship Report
Definition of “ stewardship ”: The conducting , supervising , or managing of something ; especially the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one ’ s care .
As a land trust , the Kiawah Conservancy is committed to the long-term care of its unique collection of conservation lands on and around Kiawah Island . As a component of its Land Trust Accreditation , the Conservancy must show that it maintains a standards-driven monitoring and management program for its fee-owned properties and conservation easements . Additionally , the Conservancy designates a percentage of its annual income to its Stewardship and Defense Fund , reserved for use in situations where critical management needs arise on Conservancy-protected land or legal action is necessary to defend a conservation property .
The backbone for the Conservancy ’ s land stewardship program is annual monitoring . In the fall of each year , the Kiawah Conservancy conducts its property monitoring duties across the Island . In 2017 , Conservancy staff visited 35 properties , encompassing 347 acres . We are happy to report that all of the Conservancy ’ s properties remain in habitat-rich , natural states and all conservation easements are in compliance . In addition to monitoring , baseline documentation was developed for the ten properties protected by the Conservancy in 2017 . This baseline information allows the Conservancy ’ s stewardship team to
As of the end of 2017 , with the addition of these properties , the Conservancy owns 34 properties totaling 32 acres and holds conservation easements on 11 properties totaling 1,085 acres :
Land and Conservation Easements Acquired in 2017 :
Owned Properties
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114 Halona Lane
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118 Halona Lane
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120 Halona Lane
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136 Halona Lane
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140 Halona Lane
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12 Grey Widgeon Lane
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Bass Creek Hummock Island
track any changes ( positive or negative ) that may occur on protected properties in future years .
As the Conservancy continues to acquire land for protection , its stewardship program evolves to address threats to protected wildlife habitat and the conservation values associated with its preserved lands . Managing Chinese tallow trees , the most prevalent exotic , invasive plant species found on Kiawah , is a component of Conservancy stewardship , requiring ongoing control efforts to effectively diminish their populations on conservation properties . Additionally , as more land is protected , the occurrence of encountering litter , dumping , and encroachment on protected lands also rises . As a result , clean-ups are undertaken , and management techniques are implemented to address these issues to maintain the natural habitats these areas were acquired to protect .
Taking care of our preserved properties and implementing a robust land stewardship program is an important responsibility for the Kiawah Conservancy . Visiting these properties by land and water allows us to learn more about Kiawah ’ s ecology and provides endless opportunities to view wildlife ! If you are interested in participating in the Conservancy ’ s land stewardship efforts , which may involve some hiking , marsh trekking , and kayaking , please contact our office .
Properties Under Conservation Easement
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Mingo North & South
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Kiawah West End Marsh
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Bass Creek Nature Area
A complete list of the Conservancy ’ s protected lands can be found on our website at www . kiawahconservancy . org / preserved-lands .
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