• 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 exhibit a
more natural look are more beneficial to wildlife.
Additionally, using native species helps maintain the
ecological integrity of the Island.
• There are no exotic invasive plant species (tallow
trees, non-clumping bamboo) observed. These
invasive plants are difficult to control and over time
can have negative impacts on Kiawah’s ecology by
outcompeting native species. Additionally, tallow
trees can have harmful effects on unique habitats,
especially the Island’s limited freshwater wetlands.
Currently, 70 percent of developed single-family
homesites incorporate landscapes that meet the
Naturally Kiawah criteria for enhancing wildlife
habitat. Due to improvements of existing landscapes
and new installations that meet the criteria this
percentage has increased by 20 percent since the
program’s inception in 2011. In fact, 100 percent of
landscapes for new homes installed since January 2015
have met the criteria.
Kiawah Conservancy Preserved Land
This year saw conservation successes, including the
acceptance of one land donation, which is highlighted
below:
137 Halona Lane
The Wigdor Family donated the 0.47-acre property
located in the eastern end of Indigo Park. Conservation
of this area enhances the protection of maritime forest,
shrub thicket, and high marsh habitat on the Island.
This area also extends the protection of preserved
habitat within and surrounding Indigo Park, including
the 10 preserved lots bordering Governors Drive, the
Indigo Park Nature Area, and the nearby Kiawah East
End Marsh.
Through December 31, 2019
• The Conservancy owns 40 properties, totaling 38
acres.
• The Conservancy holds conservation easements on
twelve properties, totaling 2,235 acres
In total, the Conservancy preserves 2,273 acres of
natural habitat in and around Kiawah Island.
2019 Wildlife Data
• Loggerhead turtles: 611 nests were documented on
Kiawah’s beach.
• Alligator population: 1000 alligators, 80% of which
are under six feet in length. Most of those small
alligators will be eaten by birds, and other alligators
and will not reach adulthood.
• White-tailed deer population density: 108 per
square mile. Deer numbers continue to show an
upward trend; Kiawah’s deer population is controlled
by natural predators (primarily bobcats and
alligators).
• Bobcat population: 25-30 bobcats. Six bobcats were
tracked via GPS collars in 2019.
• Fall migration bird banding: 4,586 new birds
banded (86 species) and 1,207 recaptured at Captain
Sam’s Spit; 2,560 new birds banded (79 species) and
463 recaptured at Little Bear Island.
• Marsh Sparrow banding (2018-2019): 261 new
birds banded, and 167 recaptured.
• Painted Bunting banding: 291 new Painted
Buntings banded with 142 recaptures.
More wildlife information can be found at
www.wildlifeatkiawah.com.
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