At least twice a year a SIGSC Director and a member of SIPOA’s Environmental Committee inspect each Green Space property. Inspection of these properties by The Conservancy also occurs after named storms or other weather events that may cause damage on the island. Although these protected properties will never be developed, our community must take care of the lots to ensure the land is an asset to our fragile ecosystem. The protocol for inspections conforms to SIPOA’s policies for undeveloped land and includes the following items:
- Any evidence of trash such as paper, cans, bottles. The inspectors take away items that are not heavy or hazardous. SIPOA’s maintenance people will remove heavy items. Amazingly, we have found old tires, fencing, and construction debris at times on our properties.
- Evidence of someone dumping substantial amounts of yard debris like leaves, grass, or tree cuttings.
- Any signs or notices that may have been installed by other entities or seem out of place.
- Trees that may have fallen on the right of way and adjacent properties or appear to be weakened or diseased. Trees that have fallen in the center of any property and cause no hazard are to remain; this is natural and a part of our ecosystem.
- Identification of invasive plant species which could occur on Seabrook Island. The following list of five plants is based on recommendations from the Environmental Committee:
Beach Vitex
Chinese Tallow
Oleaster (Elaeagnus)
Pampas Grass
Privet (Ligustrum) - Is there anything on the lot which alters the natural look of the conservation property?
SIGSC Directors will be walking through and around each of our conserved lots in the coming days. If you notice activity on one of the properties, don’t worry. We are helping to keep Seabrook Island green. A member of the Environmental Committee will also be surveying the lots during the winter months. The reduction of vegetation during the cooler season allows for a more thorough inspection and evaluation.
-Submitted by Lucy Hoover, President SIGSC