Native Plant Demonstration Garden
The need to promote native planting in commercial and residential landscaping is an important initiative that both the Town and community groups strongly support. The Town’s Environmental Committee in particular has taken a proactive stand in this effort. The Environmental Committee introduced the idea of a Native Plant Demonstration Garden. To facilitate this garden the Town applied for a $4,000 grant from Palmetto Pride, a non-profit organization formed by a legislative initiative to fight litter and beautify South Carolina.
In early December 2011 the Town received notification that it was awarded the grant. Dr. Greg Vanderwerker, Councilman attended the awards luncheon on January 18th to represent the Town and receive the grant check. The funds will be used to install over 280 native plants, drip irrigation, signage and a walking trail in an area centrally located at the Municipal Complex. In addition, the project will serve to educate Kiawah property owners, landscapers and visiting school groups about the benefits of incorporating native plants in their landscaping designs. Visitors will have an opportunity to walk through the garden and read about the native plants and learn where to plant them; and how to best take care of them.
The goal of the Native Plant Demonstration Garden is to increase awareness about using native plants. It is proven that native plants serve to lengthen the life of vegetated landscape and encourage habitats for a variety of wildlife. The Town is very supportive of the proposed project and the issue of protecting and preserving the environment through the maturation of native plants. Other supporters of the project include The Kiawah Island Garden Club and Kiawah Island Golf Resort, and the Kiawah Natural Habitat Conservancy.
Invasive Plants Eradication
In addition to promoting native vegetation, the Environmental Committee is proactively working to eliminate invasive plants throughout the Island. The Town’s invasive plant study is well underway. This past summer the Town of Kiawah Island contracted with Dr. Joel Gramling, Assistant Professor of Biology at The Citadel, to perform an island-wide vegetation survey with an emphasis on identifying invasive plant species and developing a management plan to eliminate or control them.
Dr. Gramling’s effort also has an educational component to inform and educate residents and visitors about this issue. To that end he gave a lecture to the community last October, and he participated in the Kiawah Island Habitat Conservancy’s Flora and Fauna event that was held at the Sandcastle.
Dr. Gramling is also inviting anyone who is interested in learning more about the process to join him "in the field" during some of his visits to Kiawah this winter and spring. If you are interested in participating, please email Dr. Gramling at joel.gramling@citadel.edu.
The dates for the field work are:
February 10th
February 24th
March 9th
March 23rd.