Naturally Kiawah Magazine Volume 37 | Page 63

The Kiawah Conservancy :

20 Years and Counting

20 years ago this coming October a few Kiawah friends gathered to talk about the beauty of the Island ’ s natural habitats and its extraordinary wildlife . From this informal beginning the Kiawah Conservancy was born . Now 20 years old , we are dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of everything that has ever prompted anyone to visit our Island .

Visitors on day trips come to check out where major golf championships have taken place . Families from all over the world have heard about a special island near Charleston and have decided it seems like a nice place to vacation . Residents once visited and ultimately made Kiawah home because leaving was just too difficult .
Over two decades together we have accomplished much , and along the way we have become a community dedicated to ensuring that Kiawah Island will remain the magical place for our children and their children that it has always been for us .
We have :
••
Preserved almost 350 acres of property , assuming the stewardship of it , and ensuring that it will not be developed but will remain as it has been for centuries .
••
Started a simple newsletter designed to keep anyone who believes in preserving Kiawah informed . Today that newsletter ( originally about four pages with photos of people strangely colored blue ) has become Naturally
Kiawah , the publication you currently hold in your hands .
••
Organized educational programs designed to challenge attendees to learn more and do more to protect our wildlife and the habitats that support it . Special symposia held once each year have featured some of the best of Kiawah : loggerhead turtles , alligators , and shorebirds .
••
Reached out to nearby schools , offering tours and educational programs for students and their teachers .
••
Created the Naturally Kiawah Demonstration Garden in Night Heron Park , a place to simply relax and enjoy or to learn about gardening with native plants .
••
Produced seven interactive tours of various Island locations designed to demonstrate special points of interest and provide relevant historical information to all who travel them . These are the Naturally Kiawah Pathways apps easily downloaded to any smartphone or tablet .
Who has done all this ? The Kiawah Conservancy with support from our partners , the Town of Kiawah Island , the Kiawah Island Community Association , the Kiawah Island Golf Resort , and the Kiawah Partners , as well as everybody who has done anything to preserve and enhance this unique island .
The best news is that we truly have only just begun . Just think what we can accomplish together over the next 20 years ! NK
Photo by Howard Snelling
61