Reflections : Looking Forward
The year 2020 brought significant
challenges for all of us . Coping with COVID had us all dealing with not only the virus but quarantine , not seeing family and friends , and job loss . This was a time when the Kiawah Conservancy , along with every other business operation , had to make hard decisions regarding its operations .
Under the leadership of the executive director and the board of trustees , the Conservancy reduced spending to the absolute necessities , instituted a variety of innovative low and no cost virtual offerings , and was able to continue to operate a meaningful program without staff layoffs . I want to thank the entire Conservancy staff for their efforts to manage spending cutbacks and for putting in extra work to keep our operations as near normal as possible .
Beginning in 2019 and continuing through 2020 ( via many Zoom hours ), the Conservancy staff and board worked to put together a new strategic plan to guide us through the challenges that both the Conservancy and Kiawah Island are facing . This blueprint , adopted in late 2020 , will give the Conservancy a road map through 2030 ! This is a very exciting plan for the Conservancy , and I am looking forward to seeing it put into action .
This program includes an emphasis on education for the public regarding Kiawah Island ’ s wildlife and its habitat . It has plans for studies of ( but not limited to ) the ecological health of the Island , including the wildlife , wildlife habitat , and the Island ’ s groundwater . Under the strategic plan , we will also be working with the areas surrounding Kiawah Island regarding the watershed area around Kiawah and , of course , preserving lands to maintain wildlife habitat and the natural beauty of the area .
Again , I would like to thank Donna and her staff — Beverly , Lee , and Jennifer — for all the hard work and sacrifice made to keep the Kiawah Island Conservancy operating throughout 2020 . I would also like to thank Rich Warner and the Board of Trustees for their tremendous efforts in putting together a strategic plan that we can all be proud of ; one that will help preserve the wildlife and natural beauty that has made Kiawah what it is today .
My biggest thanks go to you — our donors and supporters . Without you and your involvement , none of what we have achieved , or what we aim to achieve , would be possible . Thank you !
I look forward to serving the next two years as chairman and seeing what we accomplish . I hope that , while building on what we have already accomplished , we will improve Kiawah Island for both the wildlife and for each of us . Happy new beginnings ! NK
Roland A . Hoffman
Roland A . Hoffman , Chairman Kiawah Conservancy Board of Directors
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