As the landscape of Kiawah changes, the Kiawah Conservancy continues to seek ways
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Improving the Island’s Wildlife Habitat, One Yard at a Time
to preserve and enhance the Island’s unique balance of nature and development. In addition to the
Kiawah Conservancy’s efforts to preserve vital lands across the Island, restoration of important
wildlife habitat also is an increasingly important endeavor.
The Naturally Kiawah Habitat Program was developed to encourage property owners to
partner with the Kiawah Conservancy in its mission by restoring and maintaining wildlife habitat
in residential landscapes. As development continues on the Island, enhancement of these areas
is essential to the success of many of our wildlife species. For an owner’s landscape to meet the
Naturally Kiawah designation, it must provide wildlife habitat by exhibiting the following features:
• Dense side buffers that include a variety of understory and ground cover plantings
adjacent to neighboring properties. Buffer strips provide a means for privacy from
adjacent lots or roads, and they also ensure that wildlife has ample cover to nest or rest.
These strips of habitat also serve as important travel corridors.
• The majority of the main yard is comprised of understory shrubs and ground cover plants.
Open areas, such as turf or laid pine straw are minimized. The understory not only
provides cover, but also offers food sources which are very important to many resident
and migratory birds. Lightly maintained shrubs that exhibit a more natural look are more
beneficial to wildlife and using native species helps maintain the ecological integrity of
the Island.
• There are no exotic invasive plant species (tallow trees, non-clumping bamboo) observed.
These invasive plants are difficult to control and over time can have negative impacts on
Kiawah’s ecology by outcompeting native species. Additionally, tallow trees can have
harmful effects on unique habitats, especially the Island’s limited freshwater wetlands.
A common theme among all of the Kiawah Conservancy’s research efforts is the high
value placed on the conservation and restoration of Kiawah’s understory and the important habitat
it provides. The criteria for Naturally Kiawah were developed to highlight the importance of
maintaining this environment, which is often at risk during development and will diminish as forest
canopies in developed landscapes mature. Additionally, a lack of natural controls (e.g. fire) that
allow for forest succession on Kiawah furthers the need for continued enhancement and maintenance
of this important resource.
Initial Naturally Kiawah surveys were conducted in 2011 and re-evaluations of
owners’ landscapes are ongoing. If you have questions about the program or would like an
updated evaluation, please contact the Conservancy office at 843-768-2029 or justin.core@
kiawahconservancy.org.
We all have a duty of care to preserve the natural balance of Kiawah Island. By
participating in the Naturally Kiawah Habitat Program, we can all work together to make a
significant impact on the Island’s future.
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Naturally Kiawah