Currently , over 71 % of developed single-family homesites incorporate landscapes that meet the Naturally Kiawah criteria for enhancing wildlife habitat . This percentage has increased by 21 % since the program ’ s inception due to improvements of existing landscapes and new installations .
Preserved Lands This year saw many conservation successes , including the acceptance of seven land donations and two conservation easements :
• 2915 Deer Point Drive - The Whitehouse Family donated this 0.38-acre property located on Seabrook Island . Conservation of this area provides forested habitat for a variety of wildlife on Seabrook and accompanies the lands preserved by Seabrook Island Greenspace Conservancy .
• 489 Pete Dye Place - Lisa Robinson and Joe Holsonback donated this 0.16- acre property located in Ocean Park . Conservation of this property protects critical maritime forest habitat adjacent to wetlands and provides the opportunity for restoration and enhancement practices .
• 507 Pete Dye Place - John Scribner donated this 0.16-acre property located in Ocean Park . Conservation of this property protects critical maritime forest habitat adjacent to wetlands and provides the opportunity for restoration and enhancement practices .
• 64 Salt Cedar Lane - The Richard Family donated this 3.12-acre property located between Salt Cedar Land and Falcon Point Road . Conservation of this area enhances the preservation of tidal salt marsh by expanding upon an existing conservation easement located to the west of the property .
• 472B Helena Court - Ronald Weinberger donated this 0.51-acre property located in Ocean Park . Conservation of this area protects forest and shrub thicket habitat .
• Little Bear Way Marshland - The Kiawah Resort Associates LP placed a conservation easement on this 17.23 acre marshland area . Conservation of this area protects high marsh habitat and hummocks which provide critical habitat for wildlife .
• Oyster Rake Residual and Marsh - The Kiawah Resort Associates LP placed a conservation easement on this 4.07 acre property . Conservation of this area enhances the protection of maritime forest , salt shrub thicket , and marsh habitat along the entranceway to Kiawah Island .
As of December 31 , 2022 , the Conservancy owns 54 properties , totaling just over 51 acres and holds conservation easements on 14 properties , totaling just over 2,256 acres . Through easements and ownership of land , the Conservancy has preserved in perpetuity just over 2,307 acres of natural habitat in and around Kiawah Island .
2022 Wildlife Data
• Loggerhead turtles : 483 nests were documented on Kiawah ’ s beach , 93.3 % were successful .
• Alligator population : 5-year average of 100 alligators per square mile as estimated by the Town of Kiawah Island Wildlife Department .
• White-tailed deer population density : 80 per square mile , continues to show a downward trend , controlled by natural predators ( primarily bobcats and alligators ) and recent culling efforts .
• Bobcat population : Estimated 15-20 individuals , 6 bobcats tracked via GPS collars in 2022 , upward trend in bobcat populations from assessment in previous year .
• Fall migration bird banding : 5,709 new birds banded ( 86 species ) and 1,529 recaptured at Captain Sam ’ s Spit ; 2,955 new birds banded ( 83 species ) and 700 recaptured on Little Bear Island ; Overall , 8,664 birds were banded and 2,229 were recaptured , representing 99 different species , with an upward trend in the number of banded and recaptured birds .
• Painted Bunting banding : 343 new Painted Buntings banded , 229 were recaptures .
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