|
Unveiling the Enclave Project
Sound the trumpets ! The Conservancy now has a cohesive , manageable plan in place to approach the systematic acquisition of property it wishes to preserve . The effort to examine all of Kiawah and its environs in order to locate desirable habitat for wildlife began years ago . As Donna Windham , Executive Director describes it , Barbara Winslow , Conservancy Volunteer and Jim Jordan , The Town of Kiawah Biologist began with the real estate map . On it they marked deep paths and animal tracks-a star for where deer ate , an X on areas where they bedded . For bobcats , they used a red circle to mark their home range and a red X for their dens . The idea was to map areas of dense vegetation which functioned as resting and nesting places for wildlife . To consider every undeveloped lot of property island-wide for its habitat value was daunting if not overwhelming .
Then , a year ago , a computerized graphic imaging system , GIS , came to the Conservancy . Thanks to Katie Moss and Jennifer Lamar , a detailed , visual display of data such as the size and location of every lot and its proximity to lake , river or marsh access or to KICA held land gradually developed . As Katie explained , " GIS provides data layers ." She explained that not only were locations of habitat nesting grounds , and the areas of greatest vegetation density noted , but data on disturbed areas both natural and manmade were marked as well . For instance , areas damaged by Hurricane Hugo are still evident as are bushhogged lots where the under-story of growth has been cleared away . On sites of old bush-hogging , the under-story may be returning , but the middle story will be missing . These factors affect the desirability of land for preservation .
Katie personally surveyed every lot using the known rating systems and adding stronger criteria of her own as she worked . The U . S . Fish and Wildlife Services gave their approval to the habitat
Welcome Back , Eagles By Nancy Edwards
Those of you who drive through the first gate at Kiawah several times a week , as I do , have probably witnessed a wonderful drama going on early this past spring . Toward the end of February , a baby eaglet appeared in the gigantic nest high in a loblolly pine tree visible from Kiawah Island Parkway and very visible from the real estate office parking area across the street . But let me give you a bit of history before I continue with the tale of our great birds .
A pair of bald eagles took over an old osprey nest in the tall pine in the winter of 2001 . They added large limbs and did some refurbishing . The renovation was necessary , you see , since ospreys are a great deal smaller than eagles . They have a wingspan of 54-63 inches while an adult eagle is known to have an 80 inch wingspan . It ' s fortunate for all concerned that our maritime forest is
still rich with loblolly pines and dead limbs .
The eagles started to raise a family , and two eggs soon appeared . Perhaps because the parents were young and immature , they abandoned their new home ( in spite of the upgrades ), too inexperienced to take the next step into parenthood .
But … the eagle saga continues ! In the winter of 2002 , the pair returned to their home , this time intent on raising a family in the friendly confines of Kiawah Island . In December , Tom Murphy of the Department of Natural Resources , spotted two eaglets from his low-flying Cessna . Sometime later , another sighting was made from the ground . This time there was clearly one chick in the nest , not the twins we had hoped . ( If there is not enough food for two chicks , and this was a cold
|
Kiawah Island Natural Habitat Conservancy Enclave Preservation Program
winter in the low country , Mother Nature takes care of the situation . She can be a tough mom .) Since the egg-laying was in November , it was figured that the hatchling would fledge ( learn the logistics of flying and leave the nest ) between February 15 and March 1 . So , at about ten weeks , the little guy ( or gal ) began growing rapidly , " eagle aerobics !" As a matter of fact , an eaglet is usually slightly larger than the parents at this stage because its feathers have not been worn by age . Sounds like what happens in a human family when kids grow into big old teenagers .
It ' s tough , too , being an eagle parent . You see , our baby ( with an up to 80 inch wingspan ) was so busy learning to fly for the first six to eight weeks of fledging that its parents , like any good parents , did all the hunting
and feeding for the young one . But by the end of April , Mom and Pop had had enough and they decided to head north . Our eaglet then had to learn to hunt for itself . We can assume that after four years , this young eagle will be ready to mate and have its own family . The parents , we expect-and hope , will continue to return to their homestead on Kiawah for the rest of their lives .
Some neat stories came out of our eagle saga . One was told by Patsy Cuthrell who pulled into the real estate parking lot during a fierce rainstorm to watch our englet . Having returned from one of its earliest flights , wobbly and not-so-sure-footed , it took a leap from its nest to a perch beside a parent . With rain pouring down , the adult lifted its wing to shelter its young . As the wing enveloped this
rating system she developed with GIS . They sited the Conservancy ' s mapping as a model for other communities to follow .
Eventually , 23 areas were mapped out , each as an Enclave i . e . a tract set aside for a special purpose . From the Conservancy ' s viewpoint , the special purpose is to create a sense of community within each Enclave on the matter of preserving habitat . According to Donna Windham , " Now , we can take data to property owners in an Enclave and show them where and how their lots , and other lots in their area , relate to green space ."
Each of the Enclaves has natural boundaries of river , marsh , lake or dune . Some have manmade boundaries such as roads and resort properties . When the GIS map was completed , Katie and Jennifer found that their boundaries coincided with subdivisions to a considerable extent although the subdivisions are larger and fewer in number . Discussions about undeveloped lots in your Enclave are welcomed .
In time , the Conservancy hopes to identify residents willing to serve as Enclave Managers , people who will encourage interest in preservation . The goal is to involve their Enclave neighbors in the work of preserving local undeveloped spaces .
The GIS data also enables the Conservancy to encourage informed conversations with other island entities . All in all , the visual representation of Kiawah in all its maritime strand variety provides a helpful way to share ideas about preservation sites . The Enclaves define areas of manageable size within which people can share neighborly concerns and explore ways of keeping green space .
young but huge bird , the appearance became that of one enormous bird with four large , yellow feet . Patsy said this poignant scene lasted for 15-20 minutes . How fine to share this rather intimate moment with our eagle family .
Another story came from Nancy Swenson who observed from her dock on Ocean Course Drive an adult eagle chasing an osprey hauling a freshly caught fish ( carrying it aerodynamically , head of the fish forward .) The eagle snatched the fish in midair and , though the smaller osprey pursued , it could not catch the swift eagle which enjoyed an easy meal that time .
And just a few fun facts here while I still
See Welcome Back , Eagles pg . 8
|
MEET Justin Core :
THE CONSERVANCY ’ S INTERN
|
by Sophia McAllister , Volunteer
“ Data with maps ” is how Justin Core
explains GIS – Geographic Information
System – an integral part of the
Enclave Project and a primary focus of
his internship at the Conservancy .
Justin is articulate and enthusiastic
about his contribution to the work at
the Kiawah Conservancy and feels he
is also helping forge a stronger connection
with the College of Charleston .
He brings optimism , patience , and a
flexible attitude to his job , and gets
high praise from everyone at the
Conservancy office .
Justin is a graduate student in
Environmental Studies at College of
Charleston , a native of Charlotte , NC ,
and staunch supporter of NC State
where he received his undergraduate
degree . When he has time , he enjoys
basketball , snowboarding , and reading
; he loves the low country and
hopes to find work in the area after
graduation . This young man will be
an asset wherever he goes .
|
We would be remiss if we did not start this issue of Currents with a thank you to Paul Roberts and his team of writers , readers and science professionals , whose efforts secured the new 1million dollar grant to preserve the gateway to Kiawah . As the Board of Trustees learned at their annual meeting in January from Charlie Moore of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources , it was a major accomplishment to be funded on our first federal request . The announcement on the internet from Gale Norton , Secretary of the Interior noted that ours was one of only 17 grants approved in this category . More importantly , the Kiawah Conservancy proposal had the highest accumulative rating score of any proposal in the country . Our gratitude for a job well done .
Once again this brings to mind the real mission of the Kiawah Conservancy which , since our inception 6 years ago , has remained the same . We work to preserve the natural habitat of Kiawah . We do this as a stand alone organization , focused only on Kiawah and its immediate environs . We receive only the investment of our many donors listed annually ( see the list in this issue ). While we cooperate with our state ’ s Department of Natural Resources and such organizations as Ducks Unlimited , we are not connected to any other conservation organizations at the state , national or international level . Grants are beginning to play an important role in our funding for specific , usually large projects , but gifts from the overnight guest program and from caring individuals keep this organization strong and able to continue honoring its mission .
I hope you will take the opportunity to review the lists of contributors . Many donors have now reached our Sustaining Donor attribution , which is an accumulative giving level that exceeds 10 thousand dollars . We applaud your continuing generosity . No matter what the amount of the contribution , we say thank you to all our donors . You keep this organization focused on habitat preservation .
In the coming months expect to hear more good news on property preservation in the neighborhood enclaves . As neighbors become increasingly involved , you ’ ll learn of their true commitment to keeping Kiawah Unique in America . This grassroots effort exemplifies what The Conservancy has striven to accomplish – a communal sharing in the caretaking responsibility of preserving one of the most spectacular ecosystems found only on barrier islands . The preservation we complete today stands forever . It will not only benefit us , but our children , grandchildren , and the many generations to follow .
|