Marsh Management Plan

The Launch

In April 2022, the Town of Kiawah Planning Department launched the development of a Comprehensive Marsh Management Plan. Biohabitats and Elko Coastal Consulting were hired to assist the Town in developing the plan. The plan was developed during 2022 and was adopted by Town Council on February 7, 2023. 

Comprehensive Marsh Management Plan Executive Summary
Comprehensive Marsh Management Plan Final

Marsh Management Work Group

Charette Outcomes

Thanks to all the community members, outside experts, and Kiawah staff and officials who joined the Planning Charette on Thursday, July 21 2022 at Town Hall Council Chambers. It was a lively day of unencumbered idea-sharing and innovative options for the Marsh Management Plan. We began the co-development of preliminary actions and recommendations that will ultimately be incorporated into the plan.

Provide Input (Explore the Story Map)

Learn how and why we are planning to protect Kiawah’s marsh and the benefits it has to offer. This Story Map evolved with the plan serving as both an engagement tool, and a visual representation of the Marsh Management Plan.

In addition to other engagement activities, like the survey and interactive map, we enjoyed presenting at the Our World series on November 17.  The draft plan was previewed and additional input was received.

Salt Marsh Short Course

This free course was funded by NOAA and developed by Clemson Extension, SCDNR and SC Sea Grant. It will provide a better understanding of South Carolina’s salt marsh ecosystem. Registration is required. Once a person registers, they have 45 days to complete the four distinct modules (Ecosystem Services, Threats to the Salt Marsh, Flora and Fauna Highlights, and Stewardship). The course is asynchronous and should take two to four hours total to complete. 

Enroll Now

Life along the salt marsh: Fact Sheets

Clemson Extension Home & Garden Information Center's:

Protecting Tidal Creeks with Vegetative Buffers


Troubleshooting Salt Marsh Decline

Living Shorelines
Funded by SC-DHEC and built by multiple partners, this site includes the basics of living shoreline benefits, installation techniques, and site assessment, and also describes case studies. 

https://www.clemson.edu/extension/living-shorelines/

Contractor Training: Living Shorelines
Funded by SC-DHEC and developed by SCDNR and Clemson Extension, this course will be offered in early 2023 in a hybrid format (online classroom and field-based training) and will include a Letter of Completion Track for residents and a Certification Track for professionals and installers.

Email kcounts@clemson.edu to be notified when this course becomes available.

Other Trainings
Clemson Extension offers hybrid trainings:

Master Rain Gardener, Master Pond Manager, and Post Construction BMP Inspector Courses. 
Registration is open now for fall offerings. Each course teaches in-depth information with a focus on the design, maintenance, and inspection of individual practices and BMPs ranging from rain gardens, rainwater harvesting, stormwater ponds, permeable pavement, green roofs, bioretention, dry detention, etc.

Onsite Stormwater Management
Clemson Extension's Carolina Clear and Carolina Yards programs provide information on how to reduce pollution in stormwater runoff (including bacteria management) and how to engage in environmentally responsible landscaping practices. For example, the Carolina Yards plant database is a searchable database based on site conditions that can help with the selection of the right plant for the right place, reducing the need for irrigation, fertilizer, and other inputs.