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VOLUME 18 ISSUE 22
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Slowing Down Island Time?
JANUARY 24, 2025
K I AWA H C O N S I D E R S MEASURES TO CONTROL TRAFFIC SPEED BY THERESA STRATFORD For The Island Connection
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riving into Kiawah Island is a relaxing and scenic ride down the Parkway. Surrounded by expansive marsh views, the approach to the first gate is an invitation to tranquility. One can understand, then, the jolt to that feeling when a leisurely cruise is met with a bright, flashing sign displaying your speed for all to see. Whether it’s a feeling of embarrassment or perhaps pride as you pass your speed on a bright sign, Kiawah Island’s Town Council agrees that the signs are needed to help keep their roadways safe – on the heavily trafficked areas, anyway. At the first Town Council meeting of 2025 on January 7, a robust discussion ensued concerning the decision to approve the purchase of traffic monitoring devices to be strategically placed at different (continued on page 2) spots along the Kiawah Island
A Different Kind of Growth
Co-existing with Nature
C O Y O T E S I G H T I N G S O N K I AWA H C R E AT E CONCERN, PROMPT DISCUSSION BY THERESA STRATFORD For The Island Connection
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t was summer 2023 when Sullivan’s Island experienced an increase in coyote activity. Small dogs went missing or were visibly attacked by coyotes as helpless pet owners watched. Five incidents of dogs being attacked by coyotes were reported by August that year. It was devastating, sad and downright scary. BY KRISTIN B. THOMPSON Since then, the Town of Sullivan’s Island has taken some For The Island Connection action – mostly in the form of education. The education n the doorstep of Kiawah and Seabrook Islands, efforts on coyotes for Sullivan’s Island residents and visitors important research is being carried out regarding have revolved around the presence of coyotes and what using green algae to stimulate the growth of soil people should do if they see one. microorganisms. The Town of Kiawah Island addressed the recent coyote Twenty-five members of the Kiawah Island Garden concerns they have received from residents at their first Town Club assembled on January 14 for a fascinating Council meeting of the year on January 7 of this year. presentation by Dr. George Taylor, founder and Chief Mayor Bradley Belt said, “I have directed staff to present Science Officer of Enlightened Soil Corporation. Dr. a comprehensive plan with coyote management at an Taylor is “one of our own,” so to speak, as he is a longtime upcoming Town Council meeting. It is a complex issue, but Kiawah resident. He is a lifelong gardener, having been there are state regulations on how to deal with coyotes.” introduced to gardening by his grandfather. Kiawah Island Town Council Member Lance Spencer Taylor is also one of the founding members of the said, “I have lived in many different areas, with different Sweetgrass Garden Co-op, a nonprofit community animals to deal with. I’ve lived side by side with coyotes, garden on Johns Island. In addition to working in the bobcats, scorpions, black bears and polar bears. In my garden, he has participated in several USDA-funded field experience, when you try to do something about it, nature trials testing organic fertilizer approaches. It was during wins. In one place I lived, we carried bear spray. this work that he was introduced to live green algae as a “In July last year, I encountered a coyote near the Ocean bio stimulant, and, in 2018, garden trials at Sweetgrass Course,” he added. “I had just put my dog in the car 30 documented its value. His start-up company produces seconds before the encounter. I am more worried about how EnSoil Algae, and, in 2024, it was used by 150 farmers my dog will react to the coyote than how the coyote will in 47 states, as well as countries in Africa, South America react to my dog. I have since taken my dog to training so and Europe. that I have more control.” While the bio stimulant is (continued on page 2) The Town of Sullivan’s Island has extensive information
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on its website educating people about coyotes. They contend that coyotes are a part of the ecosystem, and that residents and visitors should learn to heed them, rather than expecting them to be eliminated. According to the Sullivan’s Island website: Coyotes exist in every county in South Carolina, as well as in 49 of the 50 states. The peak in reported coyote complaints often occurs in mid-summer and fall as young coyotes disperse from their home ranges and establish new territories. Coyotes are most active at night and in the early morning hours during hot summer weather. They are opportunistic feeders, preying upon rabbits, rodents and other small mammals, supporting their diet with berries, insects and carrion. On occasion, coyotes will prey on domestic pets. Pet predation is usually due to the territorial nature of the coyote and lack of an alternative prey base in suburban areas. Coyotes are very adaptable and can do well in urban areas. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has indicated that recent research has demonstrated that coyotes are compensatory breeders, meaning that they increase reproduction and immigration in response to humaninduced killing of coyotes. “Bottom line: There are things people can do,” Spencer said. “We need to take personal responsibility.” The Town of Sullivan’s Island discourages people from having outdoor cats and to take extra precautions with pets at night and in the early morning hours. They even published a Town of Sullivan’s Island Coyote Management Plan, which outlines the education program, the rights of property owners, coyote activity and public safety information, at sullivansisland.sc.gov/residents/ wildlife-coyote-information.
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