ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT

Town Council Workshop March 9, 2017

Manage, promote and maintain the Town's natural resources through

research, monitoring, management, and public education.

2 Staff Members Jim Jordan – Wildlife Biologist (Hired 2000)

B.S. Biology, Furman University (1996) M.S. Wildlife Ecology and Management, University of Georgia (1998)

Aaron Given – Assistant Wildlife Biologist (Hired 2008)

B.S. Zoology, Southern Illinois University (2000) M.S. Wildlife Biology, Southeast Missouri State University (2006)

Consultants and Seasonal Help Bird Banding Assistants Wildlife Survey Assistants Beach Monitoring (CSE) Tallow Tree Control (Marshfield) Volunteers

1996-1998: Jim Jordan conducted initial deer and bobcat research as a graduate student at UGA

1999-2000: Jim Jordan hired as consultant to implement deer fertility control program

September 2000: Town saw need for and created full time wildlife biologist position

2000-2005: Research conducted primarily by graduate students 2006 : Hired temporary assistant to bring research primarily in-

house, expand programs 2008: Hired Aaron Given, full time assistant biologist, to

continue in-house research and expand to birds

Activities defined by job description and Town Comprehensive Plan goals Research Wildlife Population Monitoring Natural Resource Management Public Education Beach Management GIS and Mapping

Activities defined by job description and Town Comprehensive Plan goals Research Wildlife Population Monitoring Natural Resource Management Public Education Beach Management GIS and Mapping

Natural Resource Comp Plan Goal 2a Maintain existing programs to monitor and protect natural

resources, wildlife species, and habitat and expand these programs to include all groups of species on the island

Natural Resource Comp Plan Goal 2b

Support and encourage research on wildlife and natural resources by outside entities, such as colleges and universities, to expand our knowledge and understanding of the natural systems on the island

Natural Resource Comp Plan Goal 3c

Protect natural habitats and corridors essential for the health and integrity of native plant and wildlife populations. Control invasive species

Focus on keystone and indicator species Keystone species – important for ecosystem health, can

change habitat Bobcats Alligators White-tailed deer

Indicator species – used to monitor environmental changes, assess the efficacy of management, and provide warning signals for impending ecological shifts Migratory Songbirds Marsh Sparrows Painted Buntings Wilson’s Plovers

Keystone species Control deer numbers Control rat and mice populations

Umbrella species Require large amounts of space, habitat, and resources If Kiawah can provide resources for bobcats, it will also provide

resources for other important species (painted bunting) Iconic species

Charismatic species, important for tourism Helps drive conservation efforts

2000 and 2004 UGA Studies VHF Telemetry Food Habits

Bobcat GPS Program (2007-present) Longest running GPS study on bobcats in the world Annual winter trapping to deploy 6-8 collars Funded in part by Kiawah Conservancy from 2007-2015 Featured in local and national media ABC News 4, Live 5 News, P&C, SC Wildlife Magazine National Geographic, Discovery, BBC, Animal Planet, NWF Magazine

73 bobcats collared since study began Daily trapping for 2 months in winter GPS collars collect precise locations following a

programmed schedule Location data is analyzed to look for patterns in habitat

use during day and night, denning sites, and travel corridors

Data used to pinpoint specific areas and habitat types that are vital to bobcats

Information conveyed to public in Bobcat Management Guidelines (updated every 3 years)

Large social media following Bobcat kitten Facebook post last year reached 138,100 people

Keystone species Help control prey species populations Create habitat (wallows)

Iconic species Popular species, important for tourism

Public safety Better understanding of behavior and movements can help in

management decisions and increase public awareness Capture efforts increase an alligator’s fear of people, reduce

risk to public

Health and Biology of Kiawah Alligators (2015-2016) Joint with KICA, Conservancy, Clemson, MUSC Focus on biological contaminants

Alligator Safety and Behavior (2016-present) Joint with KICA and Clemson University Gators captured and fitted with numbered tags 12 fitted with VHF transmitters during Fall 2016 Monitor behavior, movements, response to capture, and survival Focus efforts where nuisance gators are prevalent GPS tracking planned for 2017

Keystone species Browsing can change habitat and species composition Can cause significant damage to landscape shrubbery

Iconic species Popular species, important for tourism

Public Safety Deer-vehicle collisions are a concern

1998 UGA Study General ecology of white-tailed deer Deer numbers high, bobcats helping to control numbers Led to follow up study using fertility control

1999-2002 Fertility Control Study Treated does to prevent fawning Treatments successful but became difficult to administer

2005 UGA Fawn Mortality Study Deer fawn survival (VHF collars) Fertility control not necessary Bobcats successfully controlling deer numbers

Indicator species

Need high-quality stopover habitat Numbers and diversity indicate habitat quality Trends over time can indicate issues with habitat

Drives tourism Birding is a big attraction for many residents and visitors

1. Capture a bird

5. Determine age/sex

4. Band the bird

3. Place bird in bag

2. Remove bird from net

7. Take measurements

6. Assess body condition

8. Weigh the bird

Fall Migration Banding

Captain Sam’s Spit (2009-present) Little Bear Island (2015-present) August 15-November 30 (daily from dawn to noon) 6-7 banding assistants hired Kiawah Conservancy provides housing

Collaborative study with Clemson prof Sid Gauthreaux Migration banding data and weather radar data.

Winter Banding

Captain Sam’s Spit (2009-present) December-March (1-2 times per month) Determine survival, site fidelity, and population trends Rely on volunteer assistance

Indicator species Rely 100% on saltmarsh habitat in

winter Numbers and diversity indicate

habitat quality Trends over time can indicate issues

with habitat (sea-level rise) Potential for Federal listing Birding is a big attraction for many

residents and visitors

Flushed into nets, captured, and banded at high tide roosts December-April (~8 days a month) Collaborative study with USFWS

Use of nanotags began in 2016 to monitor migration Use of GPS in 2016 to track migration and survival

Indicator species Need high-quality scrub-shrub habitat for breeding Indicate habitat quality Trends over time can indicate issues with habitat

Iconic species Beautiful bird Big attraction for birders/tourism

Resident involvement Better habitat in yards Feeders

May-August At feeders in resident backyards Leg bands Determine abundance, distribution, and survival Collaborative study with Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center

Geolocators on ~25 Painted Bunting in 2017

Indicator species

Need undisturbed dunes for nesting Indicate habitat quality and level of disturbance Quantify effects of beach renourishment projects

State threatened One of 3 beach-nesting birds

Research began in April 2015 Birds are captured using mist nets strategically placed in

either roosting or foraging areas, or using a nest trap 21 birds fitted with numbered flags to date Monitor site fidelity, survival and nesting success Resightings critical to success of project

Activities defined by job description and Town Comprehensive Plan goals Research Wildlife Population Monitoring Natural Resource Management Public Education Beach Management GIS and Mapping

Natural Resource Comp Plan Goal 2a Maintain existing programs to monitor and protect natural

resources, wildlife species, and habitat and expand these programs to include all groups of species on the island

Deer Spotlight Surveys Biannual counts since 1997 to obtain population estimate and

make management decisions

Alligator Spotlight Surveys Annual count since 2003 for population estimate

Coyotes Monitoring sightings, incidents, and distribution since 2009

Piping Plovers Surveys 3x a month for beach project (September-March)

Red Knots Collect band resighting data and capture birds

Beach Nesting Birds Identify, monitor, and protect nests from disturbance

Breeding Bird Point Counts Annual abundance survey (238 points, 9 days)

Bluebird Nest Box Program Maintain 209 boxes throughout island Coordinate ~14 volunteers and manage data

Sea Islands Christmas Bird Count Annual census of birds in 15-diameter circle that includes Kiawah,

Seabrook, Wadmalaw, and John‘s Islands. Sponsored by National Audubon Society

Turtle Patrol Volunteer-based program (200 volunteers) Daily nesting survey using Town truck Mark and relocate nests Monitor hatching success Staff performs data entry

Activities defined by job description and Town Comprehensive Plan goals Research Wildlife Population Monitoring Natural Resource Management Public Education Beach Management GIS and Mapping

Natural Resource Comp Plan Goal 3c Protect natural habitats and corridors essential for the health

and integrity of native plant and wildlife populations. Control invasive species

Tallow Tree Control One of the biggest threats to Kiawah’s natural habitats Financial assistance from KICA, KIGR, KP, Conservancy Initiated in Fall 2013, continued in 2014 and 2016 642 acres treated to date

Additional 142 acres of retreatments Treatments 99% effective, rapid habitat recovery Bi-annual retreatments necessary to control seedlings

Nuisance Wildlife Alligators removed under state permit Technical assistance to property owners and visitors

Injured Wildlife Respond and assist/euthanize

Fish Tissue Testing Fish caught and tested for heavy metals, pesticides Determine if safe for human consumption

Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Strandings Collect Level A data Coordinate necropsy/pickup

Activities defined by job description and Town Comprehensive Plan goals Research Wildlife Population Monitoring Natural Resource Management Public Education Beach Management GIS and Mapping

Natural Resource Comp Plan Goal 4a

Maintain and expand existing wildlife website

Natural Resource Comp Plan Goal 4b Continue to produce wildlife nature guide and other pertinent

publications and distribute to residents and visitors

Natural Resource Comp Plan Goal 4c Maintain wildlife interpretive signs and update as necessary

Natural Resource Comp Plan Goal 4d

Continue to expand public outreach programs, including presentations and school group field trips

Wildlife Website Was standalone, now combined Bobcat tracking, alligator tracking, etc.

Daily Banding Blog (131,751 visitors) Banding Demonstrations Presentations

On-island, Conservation groups, Other communities, Professional meetings

Kiawah Nature Guide – free to public School groups

Angel Oak and Mt. Zion 2nd graders field trips March/April 2017

Engaging Creative Minds program for teachers (Summer 2017)

Activities defined by job description and Town Comprehensive Plan goals Research Wildlife Population Monitoring Natural Resource Management Public Education Beach Management GIS and Mapping

One of island’s greatest assets, drives tourism

Coordinate annual surveys with consultant (CSE) Conduct dune line surveys to monitor erosion rates Develop, coordinate, and oversee beach restoration programs

as needed, includes mitigation work Enforce beachfront pet regulations, includes signage Interpretive signage Pre- and post-storm surveys and reports

May-June 2015 100,000 cubic yards Closed inlet and relocated ½ mile to east $538,000 construction costs $122,500 for design, engineering, oversight $297,500 for mitigation $958,000 total cost including mitigation and monitoring Permit good until 2020

Allows for 1 additional project between 2018-2020 No additional mitigation for second project

Piping Plover surveys – required until 2020 Large survey area Staff conducts Kiawah Surveys SCDNR conducts off-island surveys

Macroinvertebrate Surveys – required until 2017 Contract with SCDNR Count benthic invertebrates, produce report

Aerial Photography Conducted by CSE, included monitoring

Inlet Dune Berm Survey Quarterly surveys by Town Staff

Activities defined by job description and Town Comprehensive Plan goals Research Wildlife Population Monitoring Natural Resource Management Public Education Beach Management GIS and Mapping

Operate within ArcGIS environment Maintain data layers and produce maps Online wildlife tracking maps Create online maps for staff use in field

Disaster response Wildlife data and surveys Dune line monitoring Asset locations

Erosion mapping Aerial Orthophotography flown every 3 years Conduct drone flights