The Habitat Health of Kiawah Island
K
iawah’s rich ecology is demonstrated
by the numerous wildlife species that
are supported by the various habitats
found across the Island. The Island’s
maritime forest, tidal salt marsh, and shrub thicket
support a great diversity of resident wildlife that live
on the Island year-round as well as seasonal migratory
wildlife. Focusing on protection and enhancement of
these habitats makes Kiawah Island unique among
developed resort communities.
Gaining a complete understanding of the Island’s
distinct habitats and the wildlife interactions within
them allows the Kiawah Conservancy to make
important decisions regarding land conservation and
habitat improvement. The following information is a
review of the current state of the Island’s habitat health:
Kiawah Island Habitats
• • Intertidal Beach: These areas provide nesting and
foraging space for a variety of shorebirds.
• • Dunes: Kiawah’s abundant dunes are nesting places
for our sea turtles and an important storm buffer for
the Island.
• • Maritime Shrub Thicket: Shrub thickets found
behind beach dunes are the most important daytime
resting cover for bobcats.
• • Maritime Forest: Upland forest habitats on the
Island are the most diverse habitats on Kiawah and
support a host of wildlife.
• • Salt Shrub Thicket: These densely covered areas
found on the edge of tidal salt marshes are critical
habitat for painted buntings and other migratory
songbirds.
• • Tidal Salt Marsh: This is one of the most productive
habitat types on Earth, providing space for wading
birds and nursery areas for fish.
• • Ponds: All Kiawah’s ponds are heavily utilized by
alligators, wading birds, and migratory waterfowl.
• • Freshwater Wetlands: This is a critical habitat for
amphibian populations.
The remaining portions of the Island are composed
primarily of developed land, golf courses, streets, and
parks.
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Naturally Kiawah Habitat Program
As development continues on the Island, enhancement
of the natural habitat in these areas is essential to the
continued success of the wildlife found on Kiawah. The
Conservancy developed the Naturally Kiawah Habitat
Program to encourage property owners to establish
habitat-friendly landscapes to enhance natural
habitat. Residential properties on Kiawah are assessed
continually and those with habitat-friendly landscapes
receive the Naturally Kiawah Emblem, which is placed
on mailboxes.
For a property owner’s landscape to receive the
Naturally Kiawah designation, it must provide wildlife
habitat by including the following features:
• • Dense side buffers that include a variety of
understory and ground cover plantings adjacent
to neighboring properties. Buffer strips provide
privacy from adjacent lots or roads, and they also
ensure that wildlife has ample cover to nest or rest.
These strips of habitat also serve as important travel
corridors that connect natural areas.
• • The majority of the main yard is comprised of
understory shrubs and ground cover plants.
Open areas, such as turf or laid pine straw are
minimized. The understory not only provides
cover, but also offers food sources, which are very
important to birds. Lightly maintained shrubs that