2005 Town of Kiawah Island Aerial Photography
Governors Dr
Airy Hall
Wassén Preserve - 9 Airy Hall
When Kurt and Joan Wassén bought land at 10 Airy Hall on Kiawah, they couldn't help but fall in love with the wildlife that visited them through the undeveloped lot next door. There were the deer and the bobcat, mothers and young, and also the rare indigo bunting, which enjoyed this dense stand of maritime forest.
It became clear to the Wasséns that to have this lot developed as a site for a house would break their hearts. So with deliberation they were able to purchase the parcel, resolving to keep it completely in its natural state.
Fortunately for all of us on Kiawah, the Wasséns decided then to do something that would make Kiawah history - donating the property to the Conservancy. Kurt and Joan discovered the distinct value of the Kiawah Conservancy becoming an official Land Trust in 1997. This means that the Conservancy is by law able to accept land for conservation, either by easement, donation, or acquisition. In December of 1999, the Wassén Preserve became the first property preserved by the Conservancy.
