Kiawah Island is a gated community and as such requires a guest access pass if you are not a property owner or reserved guest of the island. If you are not a property owner or reserved guest and would like to visit one of our preserved areas, please contact Collie Farah (Conservancy of the Sea Islands Land Preservation Specialist) at collie@conservancyoftheseaislands.org or 843-768-2029 to schedule a visit and obtain a gate pass for the island.
Maritime Forest Reserve and Nature Trail
Owned Property
Preserved: December 2002
Preserved: 0.71 acres
Preserved: 133 Conifer Lane
Habitat Type: Maritime forest
Conservation Value: The Maritime Forest Reserve and Nature Trail provides a unique outdoor learning experience. This open-air classroom, located near the entrance to the Kiawah community, features a variety of maritime forest plants. Informative signs located along the trail highlight plant details such as special adaptations and significance to wildlife habitat. Maritime forests, typically found on barrier islands like Kiawah, provide a protective buffer between the mainland and the sea. In addition to island stabilization, these coastal forests also perform other environmental functions such as supporting wildlife habitat, soil production, and nutrient conservation. Maritime forests create a natural cooling effect through their shade and act as a buffer against noise. The plant life within the maritime forest habitat is especially tolerant of the rough salt spray, sun, and wind conditions that exist on a barrier island. The wide variety of native plants found along the trail are not only beautiful, but are well suited to Kiawah’s growing conditions and help sustain wildlife on Kiawah Island. Bobcats, foxes, deer, rabbits and raccoons are some of the many animals which use the forest as a sheltered resting place and source of food.