Currently , 71 % of developed single-family home sites incorporate landscapes that meet the Naturally Kiawah criteria for enhancing wildlife habitat . Due to improvements of existing landscapes and new installations within eligible residential areas that meet the criteria , this percentage has increased by 21 % since the program ’ s inception .
Preserved Properties This year saw conservation successes , including the acceptance of nine land donations highlighted below :
• 137 Blue Heron Pond Road - The Cavallaro Family donated the 0.60-acre property located in the north central portion of the Preserve . Conservation of this area enhances the protection of maritime forest and non-tidal wetland habitat on the island .
• 29 Lemoyne Lane - The Harrington Family donated the 0.68-acre property located in the central portion of Cassique . Conservation of this area enhances the protection of maritime forest , salt shrub thicket , and tidal wetland habitat in the Environs of Kiawah Island .
• 1 Members Lane - The Kudchudkar Family donated the 0.98-acre property located in the eastern portion of Cassique . Conservation of this area enhances the protection of maritime forest habitat in the Environs of Kiawah Island .
• 2 Members Lane - The Fisher Family donated the 0.99-acre property located in the eastern portion of Cassique . Conservation of this area enhances the protection of maritime forest habitat in the Environs of Kiawah Island .
• 3 Members Lane - The Griffin Family donated the 1.01-acre property located in the eastern portion of Cassique . Conservation of this area enhances the protection of maritime forest habitat in the Environs of Kiawah Island .
• 4 Members Lane - The Goldstein Family donated the 0.97-acre property located in the eastern portion of Cassique . Conservation of this area enhances the protection of maritime forest habitat in the Environs of Kiawah Island .
• 5 Members Lane - The Sanders Family donated the 1.66-acre property located in the eastern portion of Cassique . Conservation of this area enhances the protection of maritime forest habitat in the Environs of Kiawah Island .
• 6 Members Lane - The Fitzgerald Family donated the 0.96-acre property located in the eastern portion of Cassique . Conservation of this area enhances the protection of maritime forest habitat in the Environs of Kiawah Island .
• 7 Members Lane - The Petron Family donated the 0.98-acre property located in the eastern portion of Cassique . Conservation of this area enhances the protection of maritime forest habitat in the Environs of Kiawah Island .
Through December 31 , 2021 , the Conservancy owns 49 properties , totaling 47 acres and holds conservation easements on twelve properties , totaling 2,235 acres . The Conservancy , through easements and ownership of land , has preserved a combined 2,282 acres of natural habitat in and around Kiawah Island .
2021 Wildlife Data
• Loggerhead turtles : 339 nests documented on Kiawah ’ s beach , 93 % were successful
• Alligator population : 5-year average of 900 alligators as estimated by the Town of Kiawah Island Wildlife Department
• White-tailed deer population density : 141 per square mile , continues to show an upward trend , controlled by natural predators ( primarily bobcats and alligators ) and recent culling efforts
• Bobcat population : 15-20 individuals , 6 bobcats tracked via GPS collars in 2021 , upward trend in bobcat populations from assessment in previous year
• Fall migration bird banding : 4,704 new birds banded ( 94 species ) and 1,429 recaptured at Captain Sam ’ s Spit ; 3,103 new birds banded ( 79 species ) and 589 recaptured on Little Bear Island ; Overall , 7,807 birds were banded and 2,018 were recaptured , representing 105 different species , with an upward trend in the number of banded and recaptured birds
• Painted Bunting banding : 258 new Painted Buntings banded , 120 were recaptures
5