April 15 – 21
Join the Kiawah Conservancy for a week-long celebration of our natural world with events happening every day and it all ends with a big Earth Day Celebration on April 21 that you won’t want to miss! Here is the week-long schedule of events:
Saturday, April 15 @ 9:00 AM
KIAWAH ISLAND LITTER SWEEP
Kick off Earth Week by taking action to protect our planet and local wildlife. The group will meet at Mingo Point. From there, we’ll divide into small groups and clean up Kiawah!
Monday, April 17 @ 8:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:30 pm, or 4:00 pm
COME ABOARD WITH COLLIE *Registration Required
Join Collie Farah for a two-hour boat tour on the Kiawah River. Explore Kiawah’s wildlife and some of the Kiawah Conservancy’s conservation areas. Open to Kiawah Island property owners only.
Tuesday, April 18 @ 8:00 AM
WALK ON THE WILD SIDE *Registration Required
Learn how to take your wildlife and landscape photography to the next level by joining professional wildlife and landscape photographer, Pamela Cohen, on a walk among maritime forest, saltmarsh, and lagoon environments within The Preserve. You’ll photograph the natural beauty of these landscapes and be sure to watch for the many bird species and other wildlife that are often spotted here. The group will meet in the parking area off Grey Widgeon Lane. Please bring your camera, a water bottle, bug spray, and appropriate clothing for a walk outdoors.
Tuesday, April 18 @ 1:00 PM
GOT RAIN? *Registration Required
Are you interested in addressing rainfall flooding on your property? Join the Kiawah Conservancy’s Sr. Ecological Health and Conservation Coordinator, Lee Bundrick, to learn about nature-based solutions. Learn how to mitigate stormwater runoff and enhance your residential landscape with native plants to benefit wildlife. The group will meet at the Kiawah Island Municipal Center (4475 Betsy Kerrison Parkway).
Wednesday, April 19 @ 9:00 AM
BLUEBIRD WALK *Registration Required
Bluebird box monitoring volunteers Kim Anuszkiewicz and Peggy Barnes will lead a walk around the grounds of The Sanctuary to visit some of Kiawah Island’s volunteer monitored nest boxes. Come and learn why they are important to the Eastern Bluebird. The group will meet in front of the chapel at The Sanctuary (1 Sanctuary Beach Drive). Please bring a water bottle, bug spray, and appropriate clothing for a walk outdoors.
Thursday, April 20 @ 8:00 AM
SHOREBIRD PHOTOGRAPHY WALK *Registration Required
Join local wildlife photographer, Jack Kotz, for a morning walk on the Ocean Course Beachfront and learn all about the shorebirds that nest, feed, and live on Kiawah. The group will meet at the Ocean Course Clubhouse at the flags near the beach. Please bring your camera, a water bottle, bug spray, and appropriate clothing for a walk outdoors.
Thursday, April 20 @ 10:00 AM
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY WALK *Registration Required
Join Larry Corio for a guided nature walk. Larry has been a homeowner and amateur photographer on Kiawah since 2006. This nature walk will focus on framing your subject and finding the proper lighting, all while enjoying Kiawah’s wildlife. The group will meet at The Marsh House parking lot (342 Victory Bay Lane) and walk through Ocean Park. Please bring your camera, a water bottle, bug spray, and appropriate clothing for a walk outdoors.
Thursday, April 20 @ 1:00 PM
EXPLORE THE MARITIME FOREST *Registration Required
Join us for a nature walk on the Conservancy’s Maritime Forest Reserve and Nature Trail with Dr. Jane Ellis as she shares her knowledge of the medicinal values of the plants of maritime forests. The group will meet at Maritime Forest Reserve and Nature Trail (133 Conifer Lane, Kiawah Island).
Thursday, April 20 @ 3:00 PM
SKETCHING IN NATURE *Registration Required
Illustrator Meredith Johnson will lead a nature-inspired drawing workshop at Night Heron Park. She has illustrated nearly 200 books, including the island’s newest children’s book, Little Turtle’s Kiawah Island Journey. Meredith will lead us through a how-to workshop of wildlife and landscapes featured in the story. All materials will be provided. There is a nonrefundable $10 registration fee for this 2-hour workshop. The group will meet at the bandstand near the Nature Center at Night Heron Park.
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION
Friday, April 21 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM
Join us for an Earth Day Celebration in Night Heron Park with live music, food trucks, talks from environment and wildlife experts from across South Carolina, local vendors, live animals, face painters, Earth Day kids craft, and more. It is sure to be fun for the whole family!
We are excited to present live music from Shem Creek Boogie Band, pizza from Dough Boyz Pizza Co., and some local eats from True Lowcountry. There will also be tent talks from local organizations and speakers doing amazing work to protect our environment, including:
Featuring
The Center for Birds of Prey, Charleston Area Beekeepers Association, Edisto Serpentarium, Clemson University Bobcat Researcher Meghan Keating, Kiawah and Seabrook Island Shorebird Stewards, the South Carolina Aquarium, SC Oyster Restoration and Enhancement (SCORE), and many more!
Registration is not required and admission is free!
Food and drink will be available for a donation. One (1) beverage will cost one (1) ticket and one (1) food item will cost two (2) tickets. The suggested donation is two (2) tickets for $10 or four (4) tickets for $20. Additional donations are appreciated and will help underwrite the cost of the event. We will accept cash or credit donations at the event. No outside food or drink is allowed.
Please remember to bring your own seats. If you’re coming from off the Island, tell gate security that you are attending the Kiawah Conservancy’s Earth Day Celebration in Night Heron Park.
WHAT: Earth Day Celebration
WHERE: Naturally Kiawah Demonstration Garden in Night Heron Park
WHEN: 4-7pm Friday, April 21, 2023