Groundwater Table Study (Town of Kiawah Island, TOKI, funded)
A cooperative effort between the Kiawah Conservancy and Dr. Tim Callahan, Chair, College of Charleston’s Geology Department. Investigating groundwater depth and salinity on Kiawah Island, while also establishing a long-term groundwater monitoring effort. Final phase concluding in February 2022 with the continuation of long-term groundwater monitoring by the Conservancy. This project was fully funded by the Town of Kiawah Island between 2019-2021.
Marsh Vulnerability Study (TOKI funded)
A cooperative effort between the Kiawah Conservancy and Dr. Norm Levine, Director, College of Charleston’s Santee Cooper GIS and Lowcountry Hazards Lab. This project is investigating the historical changes in marsh vegetation and assessing the current vulnerabilities of marsh habitat. Data gathered from this project will help to identify and prioritize areas for future restoration and enhancement activities to protect marshlands around Kiawah Island. Final phase concluding in February 2022 with periodic updates occurring in the future. This project was fully funded by the Town of Kiawah Island between 2019-2021.
Resilience Project (NFWF ECRF 2019)
A community engagement and environmental planning project focused on obtaining consensus on the future use of nature-based solutions with key stakeholders on Kiawah Island. Project is still underway and set to conclude with a comprehensive report in October 2022. This project was fully funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) through a National Coastal Resilience Fund grant through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Integrated Watershed Study (TOKI Funded)
Project to integrate water resource monitoring data to assess watersheds on Kiawah Island. This will integrate weather, tidal, and groundwater data to develop monthly natural water budgets for Kiawah Island. In addition, monitoring equipment will be deployed in the surrounding marshlands to begin collecting data on water quality within tidal creeks. This project was fully funded by the Town of Kiawah Island between 2021-2022.
Associated Conservation Partnerships
Fall Migration Banding (ongoing – Aaron Given, TOKI)
Bobcat GPS Monitoring (ongoing – Jim Jordan, TOKI)
Bobcat Rodenticides Project (forthcoming – Meghan Keating et al., Clemson University)
Deer monitoring (Jim Jordan, Aaron Given, Matt Hill (KICA))
Alligator monitoring (Matt Hill / KICA Lakes Department, Jim Jordan, Aaron Given)