land trust specifically charged with habitat preservation.
Articles of Incorporation were written, bylaws
drawn up and committees designated to function
as advisors to the Board of Trustees. The Kiawah
Conservancy was to be wholly a volunteer organization
unless and until it grew enough to support a small staff.
The Kiawah Island Natural Habitat Conservancy, Inc.
came into being in October, 1997, with its offices in
the Elliott’s home on Marsh Elder Court. At the first
annual meeting on March 28, 1998, the roster of officers
presented by the Nominating Committee was accepted and
duly elected: Chairman, David Elliott; Vice Chairman,
Kurt Wassen; Secretary, Leo Fishman; Treasurer, Philip
Lape; Assistant Treasurer, Manny Emanuel. Decisions
were made to affiliate with the Land Trust Alliance (a
national organization of 1,700 land trusts), purchase
insurance and consider developing a graphic information
system to map lot characteristics and tree cover.
In May of 1999, the Conservancy’s Executive
Committee recommended that Neal and Reed
Communications of Nashville, Tennessee produce a
videotape entitled Legacy of Kiawah. Production of
the video received funding support from the Resort, the
developer, a grant from the United States Fish and Wildlife
Services, and a grant from TOKI’s accommodations
tax (ATAX) fund. As Dave said, “If Legacy of Kiawah
encourages respect for the Island, protection of its natural
environment will follow.” When ready, copies would be
mailed to 6,000 property owners.
The Kiawah Conservancy’s first merchandising
project offered t-shirts screened with the organization’s
new logo – an iconic bobcat and painted bunting print
designed by Charley Harper. Projects were increasing
faster than revenue. The organization was expanding
beyond being a purely volunteer operation. The need
for a full-time Executive Director who could “organize,
March
25, 2003
January
supervise, inform, manage and fundraise” became evident.
Following an extensive search, Donna Windham assumed
the position and has directed operations ever since.
As the century drew to a close, a special meeting
of the Kiawah Conservancy’s Board of Trustees was called
to consider an opportunity to participate as a secondary
holder of a conservation easement on portions of Little
Bear Island. Responsibility for the easement would be
shared with Ducks Unlimited. In a letter Charles “Buddy”
Darby III, then CEO of KRA reviewed the advantages of
the proposed easement and indicated that cooperation on
this easement cou