New Habitat Improvement Initiative: How Everyone Can Take Part in Preserving Kiawah’s Habitats

Most conservation organizations seem to be at odds with development. Since much of the US eastern coastline has been dramatically lost to over development of coastal barrier islands, this uneasy relationship is understandable. On Kiawah Island, however, conservancy and development share common goals. Kiawah Development Partners and the other Island entities, including the Kiawah Conservancy, partner on a number of conservation projects to ensure that the Kiawah you first saw will be much the the same Kiawah in the years to come.

A new project has just been announced that includes all Island stakeholders. Investors, property owners, and other Island entities will take part in an Island-wide Habitat Improvement Initiative. As development on Kiawah continues, the following question is raised: Can we maintain enough quality habitats to preserve the natural aspect of what we have all come to love and respect about the Island?  

Jim Chitwood, Environmental Science chairman for the Kiawah Conservancy believes we can make a significant impact on our future by participating in this new program. After a year of research with the Town of Kiawah Island wildlife biologists Jim Jordan and Eric Rice, Sarah Latshaw (KIGR), members of KICA Land and Lakes departments, and Kiawah Island’s Architectural Review Board, a program has been started that is aimed at improving the habitat in developed areas for bobcats, painted buntings, and many other treasured species. Through this initiative, habitat improvement can be accomplished with enhancement of backyard habitats. The program takes into account that many Island property owners have different views on home landscapes. Whether the owner prefers a formal approach, or has a more natural effect, the program offers a method that will enhance what exists, and provide guidance to areas that can be improved upon.  

Chitwood says “property owners need only to take the Habitat Assessment to see how their property ranks.” Members of the Kiawah Conservancy Environmental Science Liaison Committee have jump started the program by offering the first Sweetgrass Awards honoring property owners who maintain “good” to “excellent” levels of habitat quality in their yards. Recognition levels are Gold, Silver, and Bronze. To learn more about the awards and to see if your property qualifies for recognition with a Sweetgrass Award go to http://www.sweetgrassaward.org.