Planning for the Future
“ We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors ; we borrow it from our children .” — Chief Seattle
What does Kiawah mean to you ?
Perhaps it means beautiful beaches , or the splendor of the marshes . Maybe it means the peace of the Kiawah River , or the playfulness of the dolphins . It no doubt means family , fun , rest , and relaxation . It certainly means the opportunity to see wildlife almost daily !
Kiawah Island is a unique setting that allows native landscapes , wildlife , and people to live in harmony together . The outside world is bustling , development is expanding , and natural spaces are harder to find . However , much of Kiawah remains natural and provides habitats rich in native plants for the wildlife we have come to love .
The Kiawah Conservancy recognized long ago that vision , commitment , and hard work were going to be necessary to ensure that Kiawah would remain a special and uniquely natural place . So , we dreamed . We planned . And then , we got to work !
Over the last 25 years , the Kiawah Conservancy has invested more than $ 6 million dollars to preserve land on Kiawah Island and within the Kiawah River watershed . Over 2,307 acres of habitat have already been protected . Today this land is valued at over $ 50 million . More than 25 % of Kiawah Island is preserved forever .
As an accredited land trust , the Conservancy has an obligation to steward our protected lands now and in the future . To do so , we must plan for the future , knowing that the organization has a perpetual lifespan . We must be here forever if the work we do now has meaning and impact . The Conservancy takes this responsibility very seriously . We know it will require time and expense , now and well into the future .
As part of our 2030 Strategic Plan , we identified the need to grow our Endowment Fund as insurance for the future needs of our protected lands .
Our Endowment Fund is the single most important thing we can do for the long-term health of the Kiawah Conservancy and the lands we protect . The fund will insure against economic volatility and provide buffers against unforeseen threats . We know our mission will be as relevant in the next 25 years as it is today , and we need to prepare now for challenges in the future .
Our Endowment Fund will secure our long-term sustainability , providing a stable and predictable income stream to ensure that we can maintain our protected lands in perpetuity .
We rely on the generous donations of Kiawah residents and visitors to support the work that we do every day . We hope that you will see the importance of protecting this work into the future and consider donating to the Kiawah Conservancy ’ s Endowment Fund . Please contact Donna Windham ( donna @ kiawahconservancy . org ) or Theresa Termine ( theresa @ kiawahconservancy . org ) for more information on how you can help .
Thank You !
Peggy Barnes Vice Chair , Kiawah Conservancy Board of Trustees Chair , Advancement and Funding Committee
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