The Editor’s Desk
A
Kiawah, naturally …
river runs through it. Endless creeks meander
across it. Ponds and lagoons dot it. Marshes
are everywhere. The Atlantic Ocean laps 10
miles of sand on its southern shore. We cannot
picture Kiawah Island without seeing water everywhere.
Certainly, humans have a strong attachment to water. It
constitutes over 70 percent of our planet’s surface and over
50 percent of our own bodies. Time spent on water can bring
out our best, quietest, most contemplative selves. There is
nothing like a walk on the beach to help make huge problems
seem smaller. A slow paddle on the Kiawah River is a visit to
Animal Kingdom. Watching the sun set over Bass Pond is an
opportunity to leave struggles behind for another day.
So, in this issue we dove into Kiawah’s water. It has been
the best trip ever. Leslie Sautter, a professor from the College
of Charleston, took us for a submarine ride. We watched with
Scott Nelson as he assisted with a new program featuring
our legendary strand feeding dolphins. We explored hidden
lagoons with some of Kiawah’s happiest fishermen—and
women. Juliana Smith followed our wildlife as they weathered
storms. Lynne Sager detailed the history of our legendary
turtle patrol.
We have rejoiced often in our love affair with Kiawah’s
waterways, but along the journey we have found reasons
to pause and worry as well. Our sea levels are rising. Our
crystal blue waters too often churn with plastic. The specter
of offshore drilling troubles us. There is so much to enjoy,
but in our exuberance, we are learning to pay attention to the
lessons that may not be too late to learn. We can find ways
to carry groceries other than in plastic bags. We can “Just
say no!” to straws. We can keep our beaches dark during
turtle nesting season. And happily, even as concerns dot the
horizon, we find glimmers of real hope. The once-declining
numbers of loggerhead turtles seem to be moving in a
positive direction. Creative studies are underway all around
us to address the threat of rising seas. Over 70 percent of
the landscaping around our private homes meet Naturally
Kiawah Recognition Program requirements. There really
is so much we can do as individuals and even more we can
accomplish as a community.
Grab a quiet spot, preferably along the water, and come
with us on a ride through Kiawah’s waters. NK
Fall 2018
SUMMER/FALL 2018 • VOLUME 40
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