Johns Island Conservancy

The mission of the Conservancy is to educate all the residents of Johns Island about the value of the of the natural resources, biodiversity and history of this Sea Island. This knowledge will increase a sense of pride in the island and foster the ecologically responsible as well as economically sensible development of the Island. We will pursue this mission through research, educational, cultural and promotional activities.

Natural conservation and development are often considered to be in opposition to one another. The Johns Island Conservancy believes that this does not have to be the case. These objectives can and must be reconciled to the mutual advantage of all interested parties while maintaining respect for the island's ecosystem. This objective can be achieved thru information, education, knowledge and understanding.

Johns Island is a beautiful gem of nature located in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, one of more than fifty sea islands along the South Carolina and Georgia coast. Johns Island has been inhabited for thousands of years by Native Americans and, even before that, by numerous species of wildlife. Johns Island Eagle Europeans first began to settle the sea islands in the late seventeenth century. By the eighteenth century thousands of Europeans had settled on the islands drawn here by their beauty and productivity.

Johns Island is located southwest of Charleston, SC on the way to the resort communities of Seabrook and Kiawah Islands. Charleston has been recognized by Fodor’s as the TOP mainland American tourist destination for 2012. Kiawah and Seabrook are beautiful, mostly private, resort islands with a large population of part time residents and seasonal visitors. Travelers to these two islands must drive 15 miles thru John’s Island to get to their destinations.

Johns Island is the fourth largest island on the US East Coast (after Long Island NY, Mt Desert Island ME and Martha’s Vineyard MA). Johns Island is 84 square mile in size with a population of 14,000 people and scores of wildlife species including deer, alligators, raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, otters and wild hogs. The rivers and marshes that make this an island abound with fish and shellfish, esp. oysters, and the ever popular local dolphins. Kiawah River Dolphin The numbers of bird species are in the hundreds. They include bald eagles, osprey, wild turkeys, owls, hawks, herons, egrets and ducks. The flora is also abundant with many native and imported species as well as agricultural crops.

Johns Island Conservancy is a non-profit corporation. We raise funds through donations from individuals and organizations on Johns Island and the surrounding areas. We may also seek grants from foundations and other institutions as appropriate for specific projects.

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