Our publications
Nature
Nature updates from across the islands.
Nature: Golden Silk spiders
By Jennifer Barbour “Wow,“ I exclaim in a hushed voice as my son and I walk under an enormous spider web. I point to the large female spider holding court in the center of her stately web and hear a long, drawn out “W…O…W” from my son. I gently run my fingers... »
Rats!: Furry pests causing trouble for island homes
By Meredith Powell With the recent bout of extreme high temperatures and frequent cloud bursts, rats escaping from the elements are becoming a problem for barrier island homeowners. According to Kiawah Island Town Biologist Jim Jordan, when rats were first introduced to the United States, species included the House Mouse, Norway Rat and Roof Rat,... »
Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin
BY JENNIFER BARBOUR I regularly hear people say that it never gets old seeing dolphins. What is it that draws us to them? Is it their curiosity of us, their social behavior as mammals of the sea or that permanent friendly smile? One particular summer day, these very feelings were evoked while playing in the... »
Kiawah’s common mammal tracks (except for deer)
By Shane Roberts, Kiawah Island Conservancy Bobcat (Lynx rufus) • Bobcat tracks are approximately two inches from heel to toe. • The front is slightly larger than the hind. • Tracks are usually spaced 9-13 inches apart in a fairly straight line. • Notice there are no visible claw marks. Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) • Gray Fox tracks are approximately one and one-half, to one and... »
Gulf oil spill impacts economy and ecology of our barrier islands
By Will Moredock It has already burned itself into our national psyche; the image of millions of gallons of crude oil billowing from the BP wellhead in the Gulf of Mexico, a mile below the surface. We can only guess how much oil has escaped, and that guess is based on constantly changing estimates from... »
What yacht to do
by Kristin Hackler Along with the new ownership of Bohicket Marina and the arrival of Red’s Ice House, new life seems to have been breathed into this once quiet little shopping and docking center. While the restaurant has brought new business to the Marina’s many locally-owned shops, it has also inspired the introduction of something... »
Super sod stands up to sea salt
By Nick Strehle Many of you have been watching the progress of the turfgrass and drainage improvements we have been making along the area of Seabrook Island Road just before the gates over the past eight months. After the completion of the new bike path and unusually high tides last year, the turf could not... »
Second round results for SC Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series
Provided by the SC Dept. of Natural Resources Round two of the 22nd Annual SC Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series took place over the last weekend in May at the Georgetown Landing Marina. Also known as the 43rd Annual Georgetown Blue Marlin Billfish Tournament, the second round saw Caramba tie with Game On for first place... »
Japanese Privit (Ligustrum japonicum)
By Jennifer Barbour April’s showers have definitely brought May flowers to the Lowcountry. Among the many native plants that are in bloom this month, a certain Japanese shrub is raising a bit of a “stink”. While the Japanese Privit, or Ligustrum japonicum, is an attractive, fast growing hedge with tiny pale blossoms throughout, it’s the... »
Sea Pork (Aplidium stellatum)
by Jennifer Barbour Contrary to what you might think when you find sea pork washed ashore, it’s not a brain or internal organ of a marine animal; it’s actually a tunicate. The cartilage-like exoskeleton (tunic) is composed primarily of cellulose, and houses a colony of individual animals called zooids. The zooid colony derives food... »
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