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Volume 22 • Issue 1
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Kiawah Conservancy’s Day of Connection celebrates new beginnings
January 9, 2026
The Town of Kiawah Island officially takes on the role of an ARB, dismantling Kiawah Partners BY THERESA STRATFORD For The Island Connection
Conservation comes to life at the water’s edge in Kiawah. Photo courtesy of Kiawah Conservancy.
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BY KATIE JONJEVIC | For The Island Connection
n January 22, the Kiawah Conservancy invites the Sea Islands to come together for a full day of discovery, celebration and shared purpose during A Day of Connection: Celebrating Community and New Beginnings. From a landmark morning announcement to an evening community celebration, this special day highlights the power of connection between people, place and the natural landscapes that we love. The day begins at Kiawah Island Town Hall at 10 a.m. with a special announcement by the Conservancy that will shape the future of conservation across our Sea Islands. This moment marks a new chapter, setting the tone for a day rooted in optimism, collaboration and forward-thinking stewardship. As the afternoon unfolds, everyone is welcome to experience conservation in action through a series of guided treks and talks. On Seabrook Island, explore the Resilient Garden to learn practical insight into how native Lowcountry plants thrive in sandy, challenging soils. Participants will tour a back dune garden design that demonstrates how thoughtful landscaping can conserve water, reduce maintenance, attract beneficial insects and support local wildlife—all while creating a beautiful, resilient outdoor space. Next, the Hidden Habitats Trek along Betsy Kerrison Parkway on Johns Island reveals the remarkable diversity of the Sea Islands’ natural environments. From maritime forests and saltmarshes to hummock islands, this guided walk highlights the importance of land preservation within the Kiawah River Watershed and showcases ongoing habitat restoration efforts that are helping these ecosystems flourish. Later in the afternoon, stroll and discover native plants in the Naturally Kiawah Demonstration Garden at Night Heron Park on Kiawah Island. This walking tour features and provides inspiration and practical ideas for creating resilient, sustainable yards at home while deepening appreciation for the role native plants play in supporting our coastal ecosystems. At Mingo Point, conservation comes to life along the water’s edge. Living Shoreline in Action invites participants to step into an active restoration site and see innovative techniques up close, including manufactured wire reefs (MWRs) that strengthen marsh habitats, reduce erosion and create vital space for wildlife to thrive. This shoreline project showcases the power of community-driven conservation and the lasting benefits of investing in natural resilience. The day concludes with a lively celebration from 4-6 p.m. on the green at Freshfields Village. From coffee, cocoa and cookies to live music and free Conservancy swag, the evening is designed to bring people together in a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere. It’s a chance to connect with neighbors, meet local conservation partners and celebrate the collective efforts that protect the places we all love. A Day of Connection is free and open to the public. Some activities require registration. Visit kiawahconservancy.org for the event program link and to reserve your spot.
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ecember 2, 2025, marked history for the Architectural Review Board (ARB) on Kiawah Island. After about two years of deliberation at various meetings and a tremendous amount of work put into the logistics, the Kiawah Island Town Council finally approved the establishment of an ARB to oversee architectural design review for commercial, mixed-use, civic and multi-family residential developments within the town’s limits. The five-member board will ultimately include property owners or residents and individuals with professional credentials in architecture, design, construction or related fields. The board would apply design standards addressing site orientation, massing and scale, building heights, fenestration, environmental stewardship and signage. Single-family residential properties (except those on Eugenia Avenue that are not subject to the new Kiawah Island ARB) subject to existing architectural review controls would be exempt and governed by their HOAs and the Kiawah Island Community Association (KICA). In other words, architectural review for single-family properties will remain within the province of KICA and the general covenants of the homeowner’s associations. Although the Town’s establishment of an ARB is new, Kiawah Island has run development on the island under an ARB since the 1970s, first through the original owners of the island, then the Beach Company, and then Kiawah Partners, which currently governs the ARB on the island. “The goal was always to affect the transition of architectural control from the developer to the homeowners’ association, at least with respect to single-family properties. A year and a half ago or maybe more, one of the Kiawah Partners came up to the stand and said they were committed to transferring architectural control. That hasn’t happened,” Kiawah Island Mayor Bradley Belt said. “This is an outgrowth of the lack of meaningful progress and the lack of intent to transition architectural review on commercial and multifamily (Continued on page 4) properties.”