2018 Land Conservation Successes
In previous years, the Kiawah Conservancy has been
successful in preserving natural habitat on Kiawah
Island. By the end of 2017, the number of acres
preserved by the Conservancy increased threefold
from the previous year with the acceptance of six
property donations and three conservation easements.
2018 also saw successes with the acceptance of the four
land donations highlighted below:
• • 185 Marsh Hawk Lane. This parcel is located next to
the observation tower on Marsh Hawk Lane. It was
donated to the Conservancy by the Engstrom family.
The property is 0.14 acres and adds to the existing
preservation of the Island’s maritime forest and salt
shrub thicket habitats.
• • 182 Bull Thistle. The Smith Family donated
the 0.59-acre property located in the Preserve
between Bull Thistle Lane and Grey Widgeon Lane.
Conservation of this area enhances the protection of
maritime forest, shrub thicket, and wetland habitat
on the Island. This area also extends the protection
of preserved habitat of the adjacent federally
preserved freshwater wetland.
• • 10 Kiawah Island Parkway. This property is located
on Kiawah Island Parkway adjacent to the Oyster
Rake Neighborhood and the front gate. It was
donated to the Conservancy by the Beaman Family
and preserves 0.18 acres of maritime forest habitat
near an important bobcat area.
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• • 12 Kiawah Island Parkway. This property is located
on Kiawah Island Parkway bordering the bike
path adjacent to the Oyster Rake neighborhood.
The Moore Family donated the property to the
Conservancy, preserving 0.23 acres of maritime forest
habitat near an important area frequented by bobcats.
The Conservancy also organized an Island-wide
campaign to raise funds to preserve critical habitat:
• • Rabbit North. This property is 4.62 acres of “marsh
finger” hummock island habitat located on the
Kiawah Island Parkway adjacent to Little Rabbit
Lane. Preservation of this area protects critical
wildlife habitat for a variety of songbirds and
provides resting and movement area for resident
bobcats. It is also located between two important
bobcat areas, one within the Mingo North and
Mingo South conservation easement and one
adjacent to the Oyster Rake neighborhood to the
south. The protection of this land prevents the
development of up to 19 residential units and any
potential commercial use on the area.
Along with the donated and purchased properties,
a conservation easement was placed on a substantial
portion of marshland along the Kiawah River:
• • Kiawah East End Marsh. The conservation project
granted by the Kiawah Partners protects 1150 acres
of tidal marshlands and collection of hummock
islands between Rhett’s Bluff and the east end of Blue
Heron Pond Road. This conservation easement adds
substantial acreage to existing marshlands protected
by the Kiawah Conservancy and provides contiguous
preservation of marshland south of the Kiawah River.
It also complements the marshland conservation
easements on the north side of the river managed by
both the Kiawah Conservancy and the Lowcountry
Land Trust. Several hummock islands are found
within this conservation easement, which provide
critical habitat for many songbird species.
These six areas preserved in 2018 add a substantial
portion of preserved land on Kiawah. Currently, the
Kiawah Conservancy protects 51 properties totaling
2,273 acres on and around Kiawah Island. The
Conservancy’s preserved properties exhibit each of
the Island’s diverse habitats which support the rich
diversity of wildlife on the Island.
Along with preserving land, our robust Naturally
Kiawah Habitat Recognition program also seeks to
enhance preservation efforts by encouraging habitat for
wildlife on developed portions of the Island. Through
these endeavors, we are increasingly positioned to
ensure the ongoing health of the Island’s unique
ecosystems as our community grows and approaches
build-out.