Donors Honored at Painted Bunting Gala

At this year’s Painted Bunting Gala, donors were recognized for their generous gifts to the Kiawah Island Conservancy.

The Painted Bunting Gala acknowledges the continued support of donors and gives the Conservancy an opportunity to publicly honor the top contributors who have helped meet the mission of habitat preservation on the Island. Now in its fifth year, the Gala was held January 30, 2010, at The Clubhouse at Osprey Point. The black-tie event provided a wonderful opportunity for participants to dress up and enjoy a night with friends and neighbors. The philanthropists of the year, land award winner, and best habitat advancement awards were presented, and the Conservancy took time to inform the crowd about upcoming programs for 2010.

“The point of the night,” said Donna Windham, executive director for the Kiawah Island Conservancy, “is to thank the donors and let them know their contribution meant something to the Island. The donors need to know their money made a difference.”

Kiawah Island Real Estate was the lead sponsor at the event and is proud to support the Painted Bunting. “We had 100% participation from our sales team with every sales executive making a financial pledge for this year’s event,” said Chris Drury, president of Kiawah Island Real Estate. This Painted Bunting sponsorship supports the overall mission of the Conservancy.

The mission of the Kiawah Island Natural Habitat Conservancy, Inc. is to provide for the identification, preservation, and appropriate management of the critical natural habitat needed to maintain a healthy, balanced, and diverse population of native flora and fauna on Kiawah Island. The Kiawah Conservancy is dedicated to keeping Kiawah Island "unique in America" through identification, preservation and stewardship of the Island's natural communities. Through enlightened land management and community education, the Kiawah Conservancy strives to maintain the balance between the local natural environment, the residents, and visitors of the Island.

The Conservancy is involved in research studies including bobcat tracking to determine how to best preserve bobcat habitat and the Painted Bunting research that uses radio telemetry to understand where the birds, live, nest, and eat. The Conservancy also educates property owners about the Habitat Improvement Initiative, a program that underscores the important role landscaping can have in enriching wildlife habitat. Property owners who have landscaped their property in a manner sensitive to the Island’s habitat are recognized with Sweetgrass Awards.

For ways you can get involved or to learn more about Kiawah Island Conservancy programs, visit http://www.KiawahConservancy.org.