another federally listed “at risk” species, utilizes Kiawah’s tidal
salt marsh habitat, as do other secretive birds like the clapper
rail and American bittern. As other coastal habitats are lost to
development, hummock islands provide increasingly critical
resting space for migratory songbirds. In addition to birds,
these small, marsh islands can often harbor diamondback
terrapin nests along their banks, and provide habitats
for northern river otter and mink. The South Carolina
Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) utilized many of
Kiawah’s nearby hummock islands for its ecological inventory
of coastal hummocks from 2003 to 2005. On the newly
protected island on Bass Creek, nesting painted buntings
were observed, along with an otter camp and diamondback
terrapin nesting sites during survey visits. On Marsh Hawk
Island, diamondback terrapin nests and a surprising variety of
songbirds were observed.
Previously zoned for commercial and residential use
(allowing up to 25 residential units), the conservation of
Mingo North and Mingo South not only provides habitat but
also protects the water quality of adjacent marshlands and
the Kiawah River by limiting runoff associated with would
be development on these parcels. Other “ecosystem services”
provided by Mingo North, Mingo South and associated
marshlands include floodwater abatement, pollutant filtration,
suspended sediment trapping and mitigation of impacts
related to global sea level rise and increased storm surges.
As another component of the parcel trade agreement, the
Conservancy was given the opportunity to purchase Rabbit
North from Kiawah Partners for $1 million. This 4.6-acre
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property, another upland “finger” that extends out into the
marsh, is situated between Mingo South and “mainland”
Kiawah Island. This parcel, also a piece of a hummock
island bisected by the Kiawah Island Parkway, provides
both key habitat for similar species as Mingo North and
Mingo South, and a greater diversity of flora. In addition to
the typical marsh edge and hummock island plants, such
as black needlerush, sea ox-eye daisy, southern red cedar,
and live oak, Rabbit North contains southern magnolia,
laurel oak, loblolly pine, slash pine, and pignut hickory in
its upland areas. Unique understory plants found on Rabbit
North include Hercules club, coral bean (in abundance), and
partridgeberry. These plants are more typically encountered
in Kiawah’s maritime forests. By purchasing this property for
conservation, an additional 19 dwelling units will never be
constructed at the entrance to Kiawah, and a special habitat
will be maintained into the future.
By combining the purchase of Rabbit North with the
donated conservation easements on Mingo North and
Mingo South and 720 acres of marshlands, the Kiawah
Island community has enabled the Conservancy to protect
more than the entrance to Kiawah. These lands provide
habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna, including “at
risk,” “threatened,” and “SCDNR highest priority” species.
Their preservation sustains key components of the Kiawah
ecosystem.
On your next trip back to the Island, after you cross the
Kiawah River bridge take a look to your left—what you see
will remain as it is today in perpetuity! NK
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