Shorebird Migration Underway on Kiawah Island Beaches
Shorebird migration peaks in the spring. Large flocks of Red Knots, up to 4,000 birds, are on the beaches at Seabrook Island, Kiawah Island and the Captain Sam’s inlet area. Red Knots are a federally threatened shorebird and are stopping over on South Carolina beaches as they migrate north to their nesting grounds above the Arctic Circle. The Red Knots will be on beaches now until the end of May. It is important to allow these birds to rest and feed before they make their long-distance journey. Research shows that this time of year is crucial for their survival and even success in nesting this summer.

Red Knots feed on small clams in the intertidal zone of the beach as the tide exposes the wet sand. Foraging flocks may be distributed along extensive sections of the beach as they feed and fly to the next foraging spot.

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) is working with the Beach Steward Programs at Kiawah and Seabrook Islands to help ensure birds can rest and feed while they are in the Captain Sam’s inlet area until they depart for the breeding grounds. Please let guests and visitors know that they should avoid disturbing feeding and resting flocks. Please tell people to walk around the birds and do not cause them to fly.

We appreciate all of your support to help conserve South Carolina wildlife resources. If you have any questions, feel free to contact SCDNR at shorebirds@dnr.sc.gov.
Kiawah Island Planning Commission And Town Council Public Hearing Dates
The Town of Kiawah Island will hold a Planning Commission Meeting (April 6, 2022 at 3:00PM) and Town Council Public Hearing (May 4, 2022 at 2:00PM) at the Kiawah Island Municipal Center, located at 4475 Betsy Kerrison Parkway, Kiawah Island, SC 29455 for the following request:
 
       I.  ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT REQUEST
Case# AZO22-000001: Request to amend Section 12-79. Designation of Annexed Territory
 
      II.  ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT REQUEST
Case# AZO22-000002: Request to amend Section 12-159. Planned Developments
 
The Town of Kiawah Island Planning Commission will consider the above referenced request at the meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 3:00 PM, at which time public comments are invited. Action of the Planning Commission is in the form of a recommendation to Town Council.
 
Town Council will hear comments on this case at a Public Hearing scheduled for Tuesday, May 4, 2022, at 2:00 p.m., at which time all interested parties may provide comments directly to Council. In addition, Town Council will consider the Annexation Policy and Procedures Plan during its June meeting.
 
Case materials will be made available online here. Inquiries should be directed to the Town of Kiawah Island Planning Department (843) 768-9166 or jtaylor@kiawahisland.org referencing the case number.
TOKI Employee Spotlight: Krista DuBois
We're continuing our Employee Spotlight series with our Accounting Specialist/Business Licenses, Krista DuBois.

DuBois, who loves the unspoiled beauty and peacefulness of Kiawah, has been with TOKI for eight years. Learn more about Krista below.
Navigating the Increasing Deer Population
Since 1997, Town Biologists have monitored Kiawah's deer population by conducting biannual (fall and winter) spotlight surveys. Survey data from each set of surveys are averaged to calculate the annual deer density estimate, expressed as deer per square mile.

Town Biologists recently completed the winter deer survey, and the 2021 deer density estimate is 127 deer per square mile. This is the highest deer density on record for Kiawah Island, though it only slightly increased from the 2020 density estimate of 123 deer per square mile. See chart
 
Kiawah’s deer population has risen dramatically since 2017, due primarily to the decline in bobcat numbers from the impacts of second-generation anticoagulants (SGAs). Visit www.savekiawahbobcats.com for more information on this issue.

In response to the increasing deer numbers and deer-related traffic accidents, Town Council approved implementing a deer harvest program in 2020. The first harvest of 100 deer took place in January 2021. The second harvest of 200 deer was recently completed in February 2022. The Town donated a total of 5,300 pounds of ground venison from this year’s crop, as follows:
Solid Waste Notices
  • Garbage (green can) and recycling (gray can) must be placed inside the cans to ensure collection. 
  • Cardboard/cardboard boxes must be broken down and placed inside either the recycling or garbage cans (recycling encouraged). 
  • Any items left outside of the can will not be collected. 
  • Overflow garbage, recycling, and cardboard can be taken to the large capacity compactors at the Kestrel Court Recycling Center. Containers are material-specific and signage is posted to help residents identify which containers to use. Individuals found leaving items outside of the containers will be subject to a $500 fine plus assessments.

Paper Shredding
Friday, April 29th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Town Hall 

Residents that cannot wait for the next collection can take items to the Bees Ferry Landfill located at 1344 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston (West Ashley). Due to COVID-19, patrons must unload their own items. 
All events have reduced capacity and limited tickets. Visit www.kiawahisland.org/events to access the calendar of events.
Conrad Tao
Monday, April 18, 2022
The Seabrook Island Club | 7:30 p.m.
Ticket Price: $10
Karla Bonoff
Thursday, April 21, 2022
The Seabrook Island Club | 7:30 p.m.
Ticket Price: $10
Previously Mentioned
Upcoming Committee Meetings
Arts Council Board - April 5 | 10 a.m.
Town Council - April 5 | 2 p.m.
Planning Commission - April 6 | 3 p.m.
Arts and Cultural Events Council - April 7 | 2 p.m.

Procedures
  • Town Council meetings are always live-streamed on the Town's YouTube channel. Other committees that conduct their meetings in person where the public can attend are not live-streamed.

  • Agendas are available here and will reference the meeting's location. Dates, times, and locations sometimes change. Before planning to attend a meeting, check our website.
(843) 768-9166
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