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Environmental & Wildlife
From the wooded uplands to the beaches, animals thrive in the rich natural environment of Kiawah Island. Deer, bobcats, loggerhead sea turtles, painted buntings, and bald eagles are just a few of the many animals that can be found here. The abundant wildlife, expansive beach, and natural beauty of Kiawah are popular attractions for both residents and visitors. The Environmental Department consists of two full-time wildlife biologists and a brief overview of department activities is listed below.
VISIT WILDLIFE
VISIT WILDLIFE
Environmental
Beach surveys are conducted annually to monitor changes and to recommend management activities as needed, working closely with Coastal Science and Engineering, the Town’s beach consulting firm. The Town has conducted two beach restoration projects (2006 and 2015) on the eastern end of Kiawah’s beach, successfully restoring the beach in this area. A variety of monitoring programs are conducted as mitigation for these projects, including: aerial photography, habitat monitoring, benthic community monitoring, and piping plover surveys.
Staff has developed and continues to expand a multi-faceted program to educate residents and visitors. This includes printed materials and guides, social media, interpretive signs, educational programs, and presentations.
Preserving and enhancing natural habitat is a vital component in maintain a healthy ecosystem on Kiawah Island. One of the biggest threats to the natural habitat on Kiawah Island is an invasive tree species, the Chinese Tallow Tree. Staff has worked closely with other island entities to develop and implement a long-term control and treatment plan. More than 370 acres of tallow trees have been successfully treated, mostly in vital freshwater wetland habitats.
Staff responds to a variety of wildlife calls from property owners and visitors, including nuisance/aggressive alligators, sick or injured wildlife, and stranded marine mammals and sea turtles.
This dedicated group of more than 180 volunteers monitors and protects all sea turtle nests laid on Kiawah’s beach. The Turtle Program has been in existence since 1973 and the Town of Kiawah Island has provided funding and logistical support to the program since 1990. During the nesting season (May-August), volunteers patrol the beach by truck each morning to locate and mark nests laid the previous night. When nests begin to hatch, additional groups of volunteers patrol sections of the beach daily to check for emergence of hatchlings and to document hatching success. If you are interested in volunteering for Turtle Patrol, contact Lynne Sager at lynnesager@me.com
The Town of Kiawah Island conducts a variety of surveys in an effort to estimate population size and abundance of many wildlife species. This data allows biologists to look at population trends to better understand how our native wildlife species are adapting to changes and to develop and implement appropriate management programs. Survey efforts are focused on a variety of species, including: deer, alligators, red knots, coyotes, and songbirds.
Wildlife research is an important component of the Environmental Department. Research projects are designed and conducted to gather scientific data regarding Kiawah’s wildlife and natural environment so that it can be better managed and maintained. Research data drives wildlife management programs, decisions, and guidelines, and also fosters safe interactions between people and wildlife. Current research efforts are focusing on bobcats, migratory songbirds, Wilson’s Plovers, and alligators.