Kiawah Conservancy

06/11/2026

Conservancy of the Sea Islands is seeking volunteers for upcoming marsh restoration projects as part of our expanding living shoreline initiative near the Kiawah River Bridge.

Volunteers will assist with the installation of Manufactured Wire Reefs (MWRs), which help promote oyster growth, improve water quality, reduce shoreline erosion, and provide important habitat for wildlife.

Upcoming volunteer opportunities:
• June 16, 2026 | 1:30–4:30 PM
• July 15, 2026 | 1:30–4:30 PM
• July 24, 2026 | 8:30–11:30 AM

Volunteers will travel by boat from Mingo Point to the restoration site and assist with installing reef structures in the marsh. This is a physically demanding volunteer opportunity that provides a unique chance to contribute directly to local conservation efforts.

Thank you to the Town of Kiawah Island and our many volunteers, partners, and supporters who help make this important work possible.

Sign up today and be part of protecting our coast.

06/10/2026

🌿 You’re invited! 🗓️
Please join us on June 30 from 5-7 PM at the Sandcastle for an inspiring evening celebrating the preservation of the vital habitats and wildlife of Johns, Kiawah, and Seabrook Islands.

We’ll share our mission and history, highlight recent conservation accomplishments, and discuss meaningful ways you can help protect the natural beauty and ecological health of our Sea Islands.

From preservation and research to restoration, education, and advocacy, you’ll see how this work comes to life and how community support makes it possible.

Enjoy beer, wine, and light bites while connecting with fellow community members, meeting our team, and learning how you can get involved in safeguarding the places we all love.

Free to attend. Open to the public. Learn more sign up here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/kiawahconservancy/event/communityandconservationjune2026/

Please join us for an inspiring look at the Conservancy of the Sea Islands' work to preserve and enhance the vital habitats and wildlife of our Sea Islands. During this special gathering, we will share our mission and history, showcase our most recent conservation accomplishments, and highlight mean...

06/09/2026

June is National Pollinator Month—here on our Sea Islands, we see firsthand the important role pollinators play in keeping our coastal ecosystems healthy and thriving.

From marsh edges and maritime forests to backyard gardens and community green spaces—pollinators help sustain the native plants that define the natural beauty and biodiversity of our islands.

Want to make your yard a little more pollinator-friendly? Start here:
🌼 Plant native flowers, trees, and shrubs suited to our coastal environment
🚫 Limit or avoid pesticides that can harm beneficial insects
💧 Offer a shallow, clean water source, especially during hot summer months
🌿 Leave natural areas like leaf litter, bare soil, and brush for shelter and nesting

Small changes at home can add up to meaningful benefits for pollinators and the ecosystems that depend on them.

06/09/2026

Change is happening quickly across Johns Island.

Large-scale development is expanding. Natural areas are being fragmented. Longstanding farms are becoming less common. And many residents are noticing changes in water quality and flooding patterns.

These shifts don’t happen in isolation—they impact how the entire watershed functions. Understanding where and how these changes are being felt is critical to planning for the future.

Your perspective can help identify what’s at risk—and what should be prioritized.

Share your voice:
https://ow.ly/wLKQ50Z8ZXT

06/08/2026

From Roast to Reef 🦪🌊

Watch as the shells collected from Mingo Point Oyster Roasts are given a new life. Following South Carolina Department of Natural Resources guidelines, the shells are quarantined for six months before being used to build manufactured wire reefs (MWRs) for our living shoreline projects.

These MWRs help create habitat for marine life, improve water quality, and protect our coastlines from erosion.

If you have a large quantity of oyster shells you would like to donate, please contact our Restoration & Enhancement Specialist, Sean Cannon, at [email protected] to learn more about shell recycling opportunities.

06/03/2026

🌊 Living shoreline update from the Kiawah River!

Volunteers and community partners recently completed the third installation of manufactured wire reefs (MWR), deploying 160 MWRs to help restore and strengthen our coastal ecosystem.

These reefs create critical habitat for nearly 130 species, while oysters naturally filter up to 50 gallons of water per day that improve water quality across the river system.

As oysters attach to the structures, they help stabilize the shoreline, support marsh regrowth, and reduce erosion…bringing us closer to a healthier, more resilient coastline.

Thank you to our partners at SCDNR, the Town of Kiawah Island, and the Sustainability Institute for their support in making this work possible.

We’re now one step closer to our goal of 800 deployed reefs! 💙

06/02/2026

Every spring and summer, our beaches and shorelines become more than places to visit — they become critical habitat for migratory and nesting shorebirds.

From March through September, species like the American oystercatcher, Wilson’s plover, and least tern depend on our coastlines to rest, forage, and raise their young.

Some birds travel thousands of miles during migration and rely on our beaches to refuel by feeding on small marine life along the shoreline. Others create shallow nests directly in the sand, making them especially vulnerable to disturbance from people, pets, and vehicles.

During shorebird nesting season, you can help protect these incredible species by:
🐕 Keeping dogs leashed & away from nesting areas.

🚶 Giving birds plenty of space while feeding or resting.

📸 Observing quietly from a distance.

🚩 Respecting posted nesting areas & symbolic fencing.

🪶 Avoiding sudden movements that may flush resting birds

If birds repeatedly call, circle overhead, limp, or appear distressed, you may be too close to a nest or chicks.

If you find an injured bird or notice a disturbed nest, please contact:
📧Town of Kiawah Island's Shorebird Stewards: [email protected]
📧 Town of Seabrook Island's Shorebird Stewards: [email protected]
📞Center for Birds of Prey: (843) 971-7474

Every safe shoreline helps protect these remarkable birds during one of the most important times of year. 💙

To learn more about our various migratory shorebird species, check out this link: https://ow.ly/XM4q50Z6jNC

06/02/2026

Have you spotted a painted bunting this spring?

Often called North America’s most colorful songbird, male painted buntings are easy to recognize with their brilliant blue heads, red bellies, and green backs. Females, however, wear a soft green plumage that helps them blend into dense vegetation while nesting.

These migratory birds travel hundreds of miles each year and rely on coastal habitats like our Sea Islands for breeding and nesting. Their nests are typically built low to the ground in dense shrubs, thickets, and brushy edges, making healthy native habitat essential to their success.

Want to attract painted buntings to your yard? They’re especially fond of white millet seed and benefit from landscapes that include native shrubs and protective cover.

By protecting and restoring habitat across our Sea Islands, we help ensure these remarkable birds continue to find safe places to nest, feed, and raise the next generation.

Have you seen a painted bunting recently? Share your photos in the comments!

📸: Female painted bunting - Doreen Chapman | Male painted bunting - Adam Wolf

06/01/2026

Thank you for showing up for our Sea Islands during !

Because of your support, Conservancy of the Sea Islands can continue protecting marshes, wildlife habitat, clean water, and the natural beauty that makes this place feel like home.

Every gift, every share, every volunteer hour, and every word of support helps care for the places we all love.

We’re grateful to be part of a community that believes our Sea Islands are worth protecting—now and for future generations. Thank you for being part of this work!