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Volume 22 • Issue 3
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February 6, 2026
All photos courtesy of Town of Kiawah Island.
Kiawah Conversations addresses community concerns for the environment
of resiliency, sustainability, wildlife and the environment,” she said. Kaye took the time to answer questions about Kiawah Conversations with The Island Connection.
How did the idea for Kiawah Conversations come about? The Town of Kiawah Island has a long and unwavering commitment to preserving and protecting our unique landscape and wildlife. The community has demonstrated a strong desire to be informed BY THERESA STRATFORD and involved in local and For The Island Connection regional efforts to address a wide variety of environmental issues and initiatives. We are n response to the Kiawah Island Commuresponding to that desire with the creation of nity’s continued desire to remain informed Kiawah Conversations. about the surrounding area’s fragile, unique and diverse environment and wildWhy do you think this program is important? life, the town of Kiawah Island created a new Because it’s one way to educate the commuinitiative, Kiawah Conversations, to address nity on issues, including the impact of increased concerns and inform the public about ongostorm severity, rising sea levels, storm water maning efforts. agement, the fragility of our marsh and threats to The first educational program was held at Town Hall on January 29 at 3 p.m. Dr. Brian our wildlife. Further, we recognize that Kiawah Shamblin from the Warnell School of Forestry does not exist in a bubble. Our environmental and sustainability issues are shared by our friends and Natural Resources at the University of on Seabrook and Johns Island, who are invited to Georgia spoke at this inaugural event. The Kiawah Conversations. If we share our analyses, topic, entitled “Kiawah’s Loggerhead Turtles: research and project updates, we enhance our Genetic Tagging of Ancient Mariners,” fochance of successful outcomes. cused on important sea turtle research along the East Coast. The local Turtle Patrol and I see that the first Kiawah Conversations will their powerful contributions were also highbe about loggerhead sea turtles and feature Dr. lighted. Brian Shamblin. Can you give me an idea of Kiawah Island Town Council Member some of the topics for future meetings? Madeleine Kaye spoke about the new iniIn the near term, our schedule includes programs tiative at the first Town Council meeting of on dolphin strand feeding, alligator research, recythe year on January 6. As the Environmental cling, beach health, composting and native plants. Committee Chair, Kaye said the program will welcome the Sea Island public to learn Will they be monthly around the end of the more about the area’s regional environmental month? Where will they take place? concerns and will “focus exclusively on issues
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We anticipate sponsoring one or two programs each month, but timing will depend upon speaker availability. Most of the lectures will be held at Kiawah’s Town Hall on Betsy Kerrison Parkway, but others will be field trips to the beach, the marsh or rain gardens, for example. A field trip to the county’s recycling center is planned for March. How do you go about finding the speakers? We tap our committee members, who have a wide circle of contacts on and off the island. The committee includes community members who are also members of our Turtle Patrol, Shorebird Stewards and some in naturalist groups. We get input from Kiawah’s Community Association, the Kiawah Conservancy and the Kiawah Island Golf Resort. I hope to identify a member from Seabrook. Finally, Kiawah has first-class staff with extensive networks in other Southeastern coastal communities, as well as staff with expertise in sustainability and wildlife research on animals as diverse as bobcats, alligators, rodents, reptiles and shorebirds. How can residents get involved? By attending our presentations, coming along on our field trips, sharing topic suggestions with the committee, providing feedback on how we’re doing and spreading the word to their friends and neighbors. What are you hoping for in regards to the future of Kiawah Conversations? Kiawah’s Town Council knows how fortunate we are to have the resources, the staff and the community support to identify and enact aggressive sustainability initiatives. We just passed a comprehensive plan with resiliency as a core element, recognizing the need to adapt and thrive in shifting environmental conditions and stresses. We are working to cement Kiawah’s place as a leader in ecotourism. I’m hoping that Kiawah Conversations will enhance those processes. Kiawah Conversations is free to the public, although registration for the programs is required. Check the Kiawah Island Town website for upcoming programs at kiawahisland.gov.