Mission
We strengthen the ecological health of the land, water, and wildlife of Johns, Kiawah, and Seabrook Islands through preservation, research, restoration, education, and advocacy.
About Us
Conservancy of the Sea Islands is a land trust and leader in science-based education, environmental restoration, and conservation across Johns, Kiawah, and Seabrook Islands. Founded in 1997, we forever safeguard the lands, waters, and wildlife that define our distinct way of life. Working with property owners, community members, and a wide range of public and private partners, we forever protect vital assets and inspire residents and visitors alike to champion the land’s enduring legacy through meaningful, everyday actions.
Conservancy of the Sea Islands is an accredited land trust through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, meeting the highest standards for protecting land forever. To date, we have preserved 86 properties totaling more than 3,887 acres of ecologically significant land across Johns, Kiawah, and Seabrook Islands.
Purpose
On Johns, Kiawah, and Seabrook Islands, our lives and livelihoods revolve around a distinctive landscape. All who live and travel here are connected. They are part of this delicate ecosystem.
The natural world—wildlife, watersheds, marshes, and shorelines—are central to our way of life and requires active attention and care. We strengthen personal connections to the land and inspire all generations to become stewards of the place they love.
Vision
Guided by the Conservancy’s leadership, Conservancy of the Sea Islands envisions the natural environment of Johns, Kiawah, and Seabrook Islands forever preserved, with residents and visitors playing an active and intentional role in safeguarding the area’s wild habitats, unique beauty, and distinct way of life.
History
The Conservancy of the Sea Islands is a chartered non-profit, Section 501(c)(3), grassroots organization that was established by Kiawah Island residents in 1997, to preserve the natural habitat of the area. The Conservancy has the capability to be a holder of land and conservation easements, and as such, it acts as a land trust. In this regard, the Conservancy of the Sea Islands is a member of the Land Trust Alliance and has adopted and subscribes to the Land Trust Standards and Practices as a guide for its organization and operations. Since its inception in 1997, the Kiawah Conservancy, now the Conservancy of the Sea Islands, has preserved 86 properties that total 3,886 acres of pristine barrier island habitat.
National Recognition
On February 22, 2017, Conservancy of the Sea Islands achieved the national recognition of Land Trust Accreditation – joining a network of only 478 land trusts across the nation that have demonstrated their commitment to professional excellence and to maintaining the public’s trust in their work.
As part of the accreditation application, Conservancy of the Sea Islands provided extensive documentation and underwent a comprehensive review by the the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance. Receiving accreditation, signifies the Commission’s confidence that the Conservancy of the Sea Islands’ lands will be protected forever, ensuring the natural habitats, wildlife, and beauty of these special places remain for the enjoyment of generations to come.
To read our full press release, go to Accreditation Press Release.
Land Acknowledgement
Conservancy of the Sea Islands’ preserved lands rest in Coastal South Carolina, a region composed of coastal uplands, marshes, barrier islands, beaches, rivers, and wetlands. Formed thousands of years ago by various geological processes, this land is the ancestral land of an alliance of indigenous tribes known as the Cusabo Peoples. The sub-tribes of the Cusabo include the Ashepoo, Combahee, Coosa, Edisto, Escamacu, Etiwan, Kiawah, Stono, Wando, and Wimbee tribes. Conservancy of the Sea Islands recognizes the Cusabo Peoples as the historic stewards of the land we preserve today.