What Does the Research Tell Us ?
It is not unusual to see articles in Naturally Kiawah featuring ongoing research about our habitat and the wildlife it supports . It ’ s a reflection of the important role research plays in fulfilling our Mission . For that reason we thought it would be appropriate to devote an entire issue to the topic .
Research is an active and dynamic effort on Kiawah . It ’ s also collaborative , involving all of the Island entities and any number of people and organizations that value the environment that we enjoy here on Kiawah . The Conservancy plays an influential role in identifying needs , opportunities and resources to expand our knowledge of the complex and sometimes fragile ecosystem of the Island and its surroundings .
From the earliest days of residential development on Kiawah , efforts were made to identify the many different features of this island . Published in 1975 , the Kuwait Investment Corporation commissioned a comprehensive environmental inventory to be used in developing the Master Plan for Kiawah .
That study serves as a valuable baseline against which we measure our success in conserving critical aspects of our very special environment . In 2014 , the Environmental Science committee completed a review of the original document . Using the results of various research studies since then , the committee was able to identify changes and make recommendations for future studies and potential actions . Year after year one of the most important things to residents and visitors to Kiawah is its natural beauty and its diverse and abundant wildlife . There are 15 different habitat types on Kiawah supporting a wide variety of resident and migratory birds , mammals and reptiles . As the Island continues its development , it will inevitably reduce natural areas and put pressure on our wildlife .
In this issue , we explore how some of the ongoing research efforts are helping us monitor trends in our habitat and identify potential threats . We are also introducing our readers to a new study of our alligator population . It will be important to our future that we continue to expand our base of knowledge .
For the Conservancy , research is not just an academic exercise where the work is completed and the results sit in a file somewhere . We rely on the results to determine our priorities and programs . It is also important in our education programs such as Conservation Matters as well as our annual Symposium .
We are very fortunate to live in a community where the key constituents share a common interest in the future of this Island and a desire to maintain one of the most important examples of environmentally sensitive development anywhere in the United States .
We are all fortunate that the Town and the Environmental Committee has devoted human and financial resources to this shared Mission . The Resort has played an important role in this effort with its Nature Center and the naturalist team that helps educate our residents and visitors about the importance of environment and the many ways it can be explored and enjoyed .
The Community Association has been a willing partner in so many respects , particularly in our educational programs . Finally the Development Partners have been financial supporters , but more importantly they have offered important easements on environmentally sensitive areas of the Island . This has been a significant part of our land conservation effort .
We owe a great deal to all supporters of the Conservancy . Thank you . NK
Kevin Cox , Chairman Kiawah Conservancy Board of Trustees
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Photo by Larry Corio