Kiawah Island Digest May 2018 | Page 2

T

T

T

T

T

E

T

E

T

E

2

May 2017 May 2018 5

OSPREY POINT

CLUBHOUSE

Conceptual Rendering by John Tarkany Associates , Inc . of a Portion of 2018 ' s Landscape Capital Project

This year ’ s landscape capital project will be Governors Drive from Glossy Ibis to entrance of Osprey Cottage Lane . It will entail arborist work , improved native plantings , and the installation of irrigation .

GOVERNOR ' S DRIVE

The Lakes team takes on a number of responsibilities essential for maintaining the beauty of Kiawah ’ s aquatic environments . This includes monitoring water quality , fish populations , maintaining

SHADE TOLERANT

bank edges in selected view windows

FERNS AND

, managing

SHRUBS mosquito control across the entire island , assisting TOKI monitoring alligators , as well as assisting KICA engineers with pond water levels .

Every lake and pond is an ecosystem in itself , as well as an important segment of the overall Kiawah ecosystem . By regularly monitoring water quality , Lakes staff safeguard the organisms that depend on the ecosystem , as well as property owners ’ investments . For example , tilapia are used to control aquatic growth . However , oxygen depletion that occurs with

Kiawah ’ s lakes exist primarily to support the drainage system , but weather changes can cause fill kills in a matter of Kiawah days . To Island they add , SC tremendous value to the overall look and feel of the island ,

John Tarkany

prevent these events , staff perform dissolved oxygen tests when in addition to providing wildlife habitat and member Associates recreation , Inc . . they notice conditions that indicate a problem . Some ponds that are known to be problematic have been aerated . This helps keep fish healthy , ponds clear and balance maintained .

Anyone who has experienced warmer months in the Lowcountry knows that mosquito abatement is incredibly important to maintaining quality of life for property owners . While Kiawah has occasional aerial service from Charleston County , the onsite Lakes team is better able to manage counts , determine needs and act on them quickly . Team members conduct weekly mosquito counts from April through September across the island by zone . When numbers meet or exceed the threshold , zones are treated . After last year ’ s Zika threat , count thresholds were lowered , so spraying occurs more frequently , and larvicide applications were increased .

Spraying is generally done between 3-6 a . m ., using a truckmounted fogger , to reduce the impact on members and guests . KICA ’ s three state-licensed public health applicators use limited chemicals , and are conscious of effects to vital pollinators . Lakes Supervisor Matt Hill holds a Master Pond Management certificate from Clemson . He determines when aerial spraying

assistance by Charleston County is needed , based on counts in

ORNAMENTAL specific areas . Aerial spraying also helps with the large marsh

SHADE TOLERANT PLANTINGS AT ROAD ENTRANCES

FERNS AND SHRUBS

expanses across island .

Larvicide is generally SOD BORDER applied twice a year , and gets to the

AGAINST ROADWAY breeding population NATIVE GRASSES before they grow wings . Environmentally

AND PALMS

safe tablets are placed in storm drains and areas of standing water where mosquitos breed . It takes several weeks to do an application across the island . During storm events and heavy rains , the team will also assist members on request .

GOVERNOR ' S DRIVE

Stewardship of the Community ’ s Natural and Financial Resources The department ’ s work goes beyond island aesthetics . Both

Notes :

Land and Lakes staff take the mandate to be exceptional stewards seriously , using their ingenuity and skills to get the best return on property owners ’ contributions .

COTTAGE LN

CLUB

The plan is a planning instrument that is subject to change within the guidelines of this development . As such it is subject to change and is not a commitment of the Company to any parties . Persons desiring to determine actual commitments should examine plats , master deeds , deed restrictions and convents applicable to specific portions of the property .

In 2000 , Land Management began a focused program to transition from a formal manicured look to the use of indigenous plants . Native plants not only enhance the barrier island feel but are more likely to survive in island conditions , meaning they have to be replaced with lower frequency . The plants support wildlife habitat - a critical consideration as wildlife corridors shrink as the island is developed .

The use of drip irrigation results in generous water savings , which translates into savings on water costs . Once the plants are established , regular irrigation needs to only be used in times of extreme heat or drought . Even with these measures in place , KICA ’ s annual water bill tops $ 425,000 .

While Kiawah ’ s landscape palette is primarily natural , there are focal point landscape beds that allow for vibrant annuals and other plants that create a beautiful contrast . These plants , however , must be replaced twice a year , which can be quite costly . As a pilot program , the department purchased a small , inexpensive greenhouse to see if they could keep costs down . After a few seasons of success ,

Continued on Next Page ...

DRIVE

BUFFLEH