What did you do before joining the Kiawah Conservancy team ? Before I moved to Charleston , I worked for an engineering firm that did a lot of development work . Working for the Conservancy was a completely different mindset , but it spoke to my soul .
As a child did you spend a lot of time in nature ? Yes , there really wasn ’ t anything else to do ! My dad grew up on a farm , and we always had animals . It was “ go outside and make your own fun .” My brother and I would play in the woods all day and come home as the sun set .
What do you enjoy about your work ? There ’ s always something new . I started as the office manager and donor database specialist and worked closely with the executive director and the advancement committee . It was a pleasure to get to know the Conservancy ' s donors . Then an opportunity opened up to work on the newsletter with the communications committee . I really enjoyed designing and writing the newsletter issues . And when our printer offered courses in design , I jumped at the chance ! Over the past twenty-one years , my position has evolved from office manger / donor database specialist to communications and education coordinator to senior communications coordinator . I am responsible for telling the story of the Conservancy — its work , its volunteers , its staff , and its many generous donors . I love it !
I ’ ve always felt passionate about the preservation work the Conservancy does and the impact it has on wildlife and the community . I ’ m also a bit of a science geek , so I enjoy learning about research that the Conservancy participates in .
What upcoming projects are you excited about ? Our staff has doubled since 2020 , and we ’ re able to take on bigger , more exciting projects . This is the first time that we are actively pursuing conservation off Kiawah Island . I think it ’ s extremely important to protect the rural nature and cultural heritage of Johns Island . And protecting the watershed also protects Kiawah . Everything flows out to the ocean .
It has been really rewarding to connect with new people and new communities — to hear their stories , get their input , and see how conservation not only affects wildlife , but also people . One of the most exciting projects has been the sweetgrass farm , harvest , and distribution . A big part of our mission is to restore native plant species for wildlife , but [ sweetgrass ] is also so important for the Gullah Geechee community .
We ' ve always had small groups of volunteers , but over the last couple years , our volunteer base has exploded . It ' s really exciting to see other people passionate about these projects .
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