2018 Land Stewardship Report
“The vast possibilities of our great future will become realities
only if we make ourselves responsible for that future”
— Gifford Pinchot
We offer our deepest appreciation for
these gifts of land and the donors who
support our mission. Natural habitat,
where it exists on the island, is extremely
important to supporting the Island’s
rich diversity and abundance of wildlife.
Even small pockets provide benefits by
providing cover or helping the movement
of a variety of resident and migratory
wildlife.
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, Lee
Bundrick, at lee@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 areas, visit
www.kiawahconservancy.org.
Photo by Linda Albus
The Kiawah Conservancy protects a significant portion
of natural habitat through its many preserved lands across
Kiawah Island and beyond. Part of the Conservancy’s role
as an accredited land trust is to organize land stewardship
efforts to ensure areas are kept in their natural state in
perpetuity. To accomplish this, the Conservancy monitors
each property on an annual basis. Additionally, a portion
of the Conservancy’s annual income is dedicated to the
Stewardship and Defense Fund, which is reserved for use
in situations where critical management needs arise on
our preserved land or legal action is necessary to defend a
conserved property.
In 2018, Conservancy staff visited all 45 of its previously
preserved properties, encompassing 1,117 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
efforts, baseline documentation was also completed for six
additional properties placed under the protection of the
Conservancy in the same year. This information allows the
stewardship team to track any changes to the land over time
that may occur, whether it be positive or negative.
As of the end of 2018, with the addition
of these properties, the Conservancy
owns 39 properties totaling 38 acres and
holds conservation easements on 12
properties totaling 2,235:
As the Conservancy continues to preserve natural habitat
on the Island, its stewardship program evolves to address
threats to habitat for wildlife and the lands conservation
values. Managing Chinese tallow trees, the most prevalent
exotic, invasive species found on Kiawah and in nearby
coastal communities, is a component of Conservancy
stewardship, requiring ongoing control efforts to limit
populations on conserved properties. Additionally, as
more land is protected, the occurrences of litter, dumping,
and encroachment also arise. As a result, clean-ups are
undertaken, and management techniques are implemented
to address any observed issues. This is all in an effort to
maintain the natural habitats these preserved 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,
or kayaking, please contact our office.
Land and Conservation
Easements Acquired in 2018:
Owned Properties
• • 185 Marsh Hawk Lane
• • 182 Bull Thistle
• • 10 Kiawah Island Parkway
• • 12 Kiawah Island Parkway
• • Rabbit North
Properties Under Conservation
Easement
• • Kiawah East End Marsh
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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