egg and waited for them to hatch. They collected data on
nesting times and developed meteorological and geographical
profiles.
Rhett Talbert, the project director, narrates the story of
their research with scientific detachment and gives detailed
descriptions of their careful measurements, analytical
methodology and data collection. The students build
the hatchery, compile their statistics and perform each
task carefully, dispassionately and precisely. Yet the huge,
spontaneous grin on the face of the researcher who releases
the hatchlings to march to the ocean is easily recognizable by
anyone who has ever seen a new baby turtle head for the light.
The mission of the researchers and the video they
produced is reinforced throughout their presentation. As
they conduct their project they are very aware of the pressure
to develop coastal areas like Kiawah, pressure that was
increasing incrementally with the sale of the Island to the
Cover spread photos by Jamie Cathcart; top/bottom photos by Jack Kotz
38
Kuwait Investment Company in 1974. The video’s narrator
observes that the outstanding beauty of Kiawah and the
classic sanctuary of a unique sea island attracts scientists and
artists but also developers. They call for dedication “beyond
the dollar sign” and observe that “profits, luxury and leisure
are not the only ideals sacred to mankind.” They urge that
leaving portions of land undisturbed for preservation and
research of wildlife is a small price to pay for the rewards it
can offer, and emphasize repeatedly that a side-by-side effort
between conservation and development can work.
Gene Furchgott, the graduate student from the College of
Charleston who filmed the video with a camera borrowed
from his high school alma mater, Porter Gaud, is the founder
and executive director of Yo Art!, a local group whose mission
is to bring creative enrichment programs to Lowcountry
schools. We met with him to find out more about this
forward-looking project conducted over 40 years ago.