2020 Land Stewardship Report
“ I dream of our vast deserts , of our forests , of all our great wildernesses . We must never forget that it is our duty to protect this environment .”
— Nelson Mandela
The Kiawah Conservancy protects a significant portion of natural habitat through its many conservation 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 lands are kept in their natural state in perpetuity . To accomplish this , the Conservancy monitors each property on an annual basis through repeated visits . 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 conservation property .
In 2020 , Conservancy staff visited all 52 of its previously preserved properties , encompassing 2,273 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 . As the Conservancy continues to preserve natural habitat on the island , its stewardship program evolves to address threats to wildlife habitat and the land ’ s conservation values . Managing invasive species such as the Chinese tallow , 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 their populations on conserved properties .
Additionally , as more land is protected , the occurrence of encountering litter , dumping , and encroachment also arises . As a result , clean-ups are undertaken , and management techniques are implemented to address any observed issues . This is all 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 , implement best management plans and provide endless opportunities to enjoy wildlife . If you are interested in
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Photo by Adam Wolf