Kiawah Island Nature Program

Kiawah Island is renowned for its natural beauty and abundant wildlife. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and vast salt marshes, Kiawah has a mixture of lush maritime forests, brackish water ponds, and picturesque dunes. Exploring this varied habitat gives you the opportunity to observe the tremendous variety of flora and fauna present on this pristine barrier island. During your stay on Kiawah, tour the island with our Naturalist staff as they open your eyes to the nature of Kiawah.

"Grace, it's a name for a girl - it's also a thought that changed the world." - Bono

The tragedy of the BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico has left many of us feeling sick over the immense destruction of natural habitat and wildlife. We are inundated with images of birds covered in oil, sea turtles struggling, and fishermen robbed of their livelihood. Yet, in the midst of disaster, all hope is not lost. A young girl named Grace reminded me, and hundreds more, that we could still make a difference. After several days of feeling sad and helpless over the sour situation in the gulf, Grace made lemonade. Five years ago, Grace attended one of my classroom presentations on reptiles held at the Nature Center on Kiawah. I can picture her now, sitting with her mom and dad, a red bow pulling her short sun-blond hair to the side. The inquisitive questions she asked and well thought out responses literally took me by surprise. There was a look of pure excitement, of joy in learning that flashed in her eyes. Was she really only five years old? They stayed after the presentation upon my bidding and it was decided, we should be friends.

After years of getting to know Grace more, my admiration of her has only grown. The Christmas card photo of her alongside a loggerhead hatchling is two years old, and still hangs on our refrigerator. A kayak, carved out of driftwood, sits on my bookshelf, a gift Grace made after going on a kayak trip together. This year, we experienced paddle boarding in the salt marsh - a first for both of us! Needless to say, when I received an email from Grace's mom with a link to the National Wildlife Federations' website with Grace in the headlines, I was not surprised. Again, I was amazed. Grace has a simple fundraising idea that raised over a thousand dollars for the oil spill relief. With the help of her parents, Twitter, and Facebook, Grace set up a lemonade stand that attracted hundreds of people from her surrounding neighborhood in Alexandria, VA. Lemonade, apple juice, coffee, doughnuts, cookies and snacks were given to those who made a minimum $5 donation to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). Classmates brought their piggy banks. The principle of her elementary school came with his family to give a donation. Grace's mom told the NWF, "So many people said they were feeling as we were - sad not knowing what to do about it - and this gave them an outlet to do something positive."

Singer/songwriter, Bono, continues his song entitled Grace with the following phrases, "Grace finds goodness in everything...Grace finds beauty in everything...Grace makes beauty out of ugly things". My friend is Grace. You may never get to meet her, but you can show grace to the people you meet each day. You can exemplify grace in the midst of life's tough situations. You can make a difference, just like Grace.

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2010 Gulf Coast Oil Spill: How You Can Help

Learn. Donate. Save. Save Our Seabirds (.pdf)

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Heron Park Nature Center

Opening daily at 8:30am, the Nature Center is located in Night Heron Park adjacent to the pool and the Night Heron Pavilion. It is in the heart of the resort's Nature Program and is a great first stop to get information on recreation activities and recent nature sightings. 

Nature Notes

Every month our newsletter is filled with details about natural occurnces taking place in the diverse environment that is Kiawah. You will learn about all of the different birds that inhabit our island and where they come from, as well as ways guests and residents alike can participate in all of the growing green initiatives. We need everyone's help in protecting this unique island nature.  

Wildlife: As We See It

Check out our wildlife sighting at Wildlife: As We See It.  Here, you’ll find postings from our Naturalists and island biologists showing you what is currently in the field as well as an archive of observations from throughout the year. We hope this site will get you excited about the amazing and diverse wildlife found on Kiawah. Birders, check out Sarah Ernst’s “Feather Report” to find out what species she is encountering on her birding tours. Shutterbugs, this is just a small sample of the amazing photography opportunities that exist throughout the island, as Jamie Rood took many of these pictures on her photography tour. Our Motorboat Captains are also keeping the fishing enthusiasts up to speed on what they’re catching. We would also love to hear from you! Get outside and share your photos and stories with us at Nature_program@kiawahresort.com

Wildlife

The Town of Kiawah Island takes a very active role in managing the natural resources on the island. From the wooded uplands to the beaches, animals thrive in the rich natural environment. Deer, bobcats, gray foxes, raccoons, river otters, and ospreys are just a few of the many animals that can be found on Kiawah Island.

Wildlife management on Kiawah is handled by a full-time wildlife biologist and an assistant wildlife biologist in cooperation with the Town's Environmental Committee, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and other island entities, such as the Kiawah Conservancy, Heron Park Nature Center and the Kiawah Island Community association. The Town and Conservancy have funded and supported several research projects and programs, many of which are ongoing, in order to better understand and manage the wildlife species on the island. Visit www.kiawahisland.org/Wildlife/ to learn more.

Kiawah Conservancy

As you enjoy this island teeming with wildlife and lush vegetation, remember that you are exploring a habitat that is becoming increasingly rare along our coast. Kiawah is fortunate to have the Kiawah Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which is dedicated to the preservation and research of coastal maritime forests and wildlife.

If you enjoy everything that makes Kiawah special, we encourage you to contribute to the Kiawah Conservancy through financial support. Tax-deductible gifts can be made at the Heron Park Nature Center, upon checkout at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort and The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island or directly to the Kiawah Conservancy office at 80 Kestrel Court, Kiawah Island. To learn more visit Kiawah Conservancy online or stop in at the Heron Park Nature Center to see their informational bulletin board, pamphlets and children's activity pages.

Recycling

Kiawah Island Golf Resort currently handles recyclables from our restaurants, golf courses, and offices. Although villa pick-up service is currently not available, we are pleased to offer guests the opportunity to help us on an individual scale. Your clean recyclables can be brought to the Nature Center at Night Heron Park. For more information on our sustainability efforts, please visit our Kiawah Green Web Page. The following is a list of materials, which the Nature Center will gladly recycle:

• Plastic containers (#1 and #2 plastics only) • Glass containers • Aluminum and tin cans • Newspapers, brochures and magazines

• Paperboard (i.e. cereal boxes, tissue boxes) • Alkaline and rechargeable batteries • Plastic shopping bags • Electronic equipment • Monofilament fishing line

Thank you for helping us preserve our natural environment.