INTRODUCTION TO KIAWAH ISLAND
Kiawah Island is a mesotidal barrier island located in the South Carolina Lowcountry region . The thriving natural environment is revered by its residents and is integrated into the activities of organizations which make up Kiawah Island ’ s multifaceted , polycentric governance system . The Town of Kiawah Island ’ s 2020 Local Comprehensive Beach Management Plan ’ s vision statement is “ The Town of Kiawah Island is a residential community incorporating a world-class resort and a unique , vibrant shopping village within a natural maritime setting that is being preserved and enhanced for current and future generations ” ( Town of Kiawah Island , 2020 ).
The island comprises 8,536 acres of land dedicated to residential space , preserved property , open space , parks , salt marsh , recreation , and limited commercial development . There are seven key habitat types found on the island : marshland , maritime forest , maritime shrub thicket , salt shrub thicket , maritime grassland , freshwater wetlands , and intertidal beaches ( Gramling , 2012 ). Nearly 56 % of the island consist of marsh and open water , while 16 % encompass parks , recreation , and open space . In fact , the island has a larger land cover of salt marsh than buildable land and five times more marsh-front than beach . Of Kiawah ' s 3,750 acres of marsh area , 1,800 acres are protected in perpetuity through conservation easements held by the Kiawah Conservancy . The remaining portion of the island consists of 12 % Single-Family Residential land use , 16 % vacant residential land parcels , 3 % multifamily land use , and 3 % commercial use ( Town of Kiawah Island , 2020 ). Coastal salt marshes protect the shoreline from erosion by attenuating wave action and provide a buffer from storms for the community , while also supporting an abundance of wildlife , recreational , and aesthetic amenities .
The extent of natural areas creates a holistic package that embodies the true “ Kiawah Brand ” ( KICA AMP Task Force , 2020 ). The resilience of our island ’ s social-ecological system is intimately intertwined with the ecological health of the natural systems that originally compelled our residents to call this island home . This social-ecological system consists of residents , along with the five significant stakeholder organizations : the Town of Kiawah Island ( TOKI ), the Kiawah Island Community Association ( KICA ), the Kiawah Island Golf Resort ( KIGR ), the Kiawah Conservancy ( Conservancy ) and the Kiawah Partners ( KP ).
TOKI is responsible for public safety , building permits , code enforcement , planning and zoning , business licensing , tourism , beach management and protection , wildlife management and protection , solid waste collection , community outreach and municipal court . Following TOKI ' s chartering in 1994 , it formed an Environmental Committee with the intent of protecting and understanding the natural habitat on Kiawah Island . In 1996 , a group of concerned citizens meeting as the Town ' s Environmental Committee explored ways to keep natural habitat on Kiawah Island in its undeveloped state . This eventually led to the founding of the Kiawah Conservancy . The Conservancy is responsible for preservation and stewardship of critical wildlife habitat and is an accredited member of the Land Trust Alliance . In addition , the Conservancy leads initiatives and programs to encourage and assist landowners in the protection of the natural environment . KICA serves as the community association which manages security and island access , common properties , member education and outreach , record management , long-term planning , landscaping and upkeep of roads and drainage behind the main gate . KIGR manages the Sanctuary Hotel and Spa , the Ocean Course , Osprey Point Golf Course , Turtle Point Golf Course , Cougar Point Golf Course , Oak Point Golf Course , and the Governor ’ s Club operations . KP is responsible for residential community design and master planning , development agreements and entitlements , real estate brokerage operations , private club design , construction , and architectural controls .
Collectively , these entities work alongside one another as stewards of the island , its inhabitants , and the vast expanses of natural area within the jurisdiction of the Town of Kiawah Island .
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