Preserved Lands This year saw many conservation successes , including the acceptance of three land donations , two purchased properties , and four conservation easements :
• 2 Kiawah Island Parkway – Jeanie and James Sullivan donated the 0.162-acre property located near Oyster Rake and Kiawah Island Parkway . Conservation of this area expands the protection of natural habitat along the entranceway to Kiawah Island .
• 77 Lemoyne Lane – John Shippee donated the 7.103-acre property located in Cassique . Conservation of this property enhances the protection of maritime forest , shrub thicket , and tidal salt marsh adjacent to the marshland protected by the Lowcountry Land Trust .
• 4346 Betsy Kerrison Parkway – The Kiawah Conservancy purchased this 3-acre property on Betsy Kerrison Parkway with funding from South Carolina Conservation Bank , Charleston County Greenbelt Program , and Keep Betsy Beautiful donors . This afforded the protection of this property with plans to provide public access to sea islanders in the region .
• 4368 Betsy Kerrison Parkway – The Kiawah Conservancy purchased this 76-acre property on Betsy Kerrison Parkway with funding from South Carolina Conservation Bank , Charleston County Greenbelt Program , and Keep Betsy Beautiful donors . Conservation of this property protects critical maritime forest , hummock island , and tidal salt marsh habitat in an area of increasing development along the Urban Growth Boundary . Additionally , the Conservancy will incorporate public access to the property through a trail system which will allow us to connect sea islanders with nature .
• Bass and Cinder Creek Marsh – The Kiawah Resort Associates donated this 1075-acre conservation easement on the eastern end of Kiawah Island . Conservation of this property enhances the protection of contiguous tidal salt marsh , hummock island , and estuarine habitat which provide critical areas for wildlife .
• Little Bear Marsh – The Kiawah Resort Associates donated this 140-acre conservation easement between Ocean Park , Little Bear Island , and the Ocean Course . Conservation of this property enhances the protection of contiguous tidal salt marsh and estuarine habitat between the Little Bear Way Marsh and Little Bear Island conservation easements .
• Kiawah River Marsh West End – The Kiawah Resort Associates donated this 15.29-acre conservation easement in the western portion of the Kiawah River . Conservation of this property expanded the protection of natural habitat along the entranceway to Kiawah Island and provided the complete protection of tidal salt marsh on Kiawah Island .
• Julian S . Limehouse Jr . Marshlands – The heirs of Julian Sidi Limehouse Jr . donated this 253-acre conservation easement west of Briars Creek . Conservation of this property expanded the protection of tidal salt marsh and hummocks along the Kiawah River .
• 124 Halona Lane – Julie Bennett donated this 0.154-acre property located in Indigo Park . Conservation of this property expanded the protection of maritime forest habitat within Indigo Park .
As of December 31 , 2023 , the Conservancy owns 59 properties , totaling 138 acres and holds conservation easements on 18 properties , totaling just over 3,722 acres . Through easements and ownership of land , the Conservancy has preserved just over 3,860 acres of natural habitat in perpetuity . Each of this properties will be monitored annually and stewarded to ensure the permanent protection of natural habitats they contain .
2023 Wildlife Data
• Loggerhead Sea Turtles – 437 nests documented on Kiawah ’ s beach , 81.2 % were successful .
• Alligator Population – Five-year average of 100 alligators per square mile as estimated by the Town of Kiawah Island Wildlife Department .
• White-Tailed Deer Population Density – 62 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 , with an upward trend in bobcat populations from assessments in previous years .
• Fall Migration Bird Banding – 4,621 new birds banded and 1,292 recaptured at Captain Sam ’ s Spit covering 85 species ; 3,380 new birds banded and 729 recaptured on Little Bear Island covering 86 species ; Overall , 8,001 birds were banded and 2,021 were recaptured , representing 100 different species .
• Painted Bunting Banding – 229 new painted buntings banded ; 67 were recaptured .
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