The sweetgrass awards are given to homeowners who have designed and landscaped their property to create habitat for wildlife. Forty-five homeowners have received this award on Kiawah. To achieve sweetgrass award status, properties must maintain good cover for wildlife species through landscaping techniques that enhance the habitat value of the main yard area and property buffers. Good habitat has natural “soft” edges that exhibit a gradual transition in species composition that provide cover all the way down to ground level. Homeowners can also remove invasive species of plants to create a better habitat.

For a copy of the complete habitat assessment form explaining how to improve habitat in your own backyard or to view a list of sweetgrass award winners, visit www.sweetgrassaward.org.