Community Vision for Edisto Island’s Future:

Each Edisto community organization shares common elements with other Edisto community organizations. The common thread that runs through the community is the desire to “Keep Edisto, Edisto,” for future generations. This motto is a consensus of the whole community, and the Vision document presents a dream of what the future could be with community cooperation and action.

The Community Vision for Edisto’s Future is meant to support and complement the respective goals of each Edisto participating organization and provide inspiration for each organization’s future goals and planning. Because Edisto’s Vision for the Future is, and will likely remain, a work in progress - input and participation is essential to ultimately achieving any of these aspirations. We believe that the Vision project will enhance and deepen existing collaboration and communication between Edisto organizations and demonstrate to residents, members, and the outside world that the entire Island and Beach are working closely together to protect all aspects of this unique place.

Please join the efforts of the Edisto Vision partner of your choice to give them your support in achieving our future goals.

Edisto Island National Scenic Byway:

Cradled by Mother Nature, Edisto Island remains largely untouched by the uncontrolled growth and commercialization that has overwhelmed much of the SC coast. It was for this reason that in 2009 the Federal Highway Administration designated Highway 174 as the Edisto Island National Scenic Byway, one of four such byways in SC.

EIPA’s Corridor Management Plan was created to protect Edisto’s natural beauty while promoting local economic opportunities:

• support a strong rural economy for local farmers, fishermen, artists, nature-based tourism, and businesses that promote sensitive use of the landscape and waterways

• construct more bike & pedestrian paths and build safe fishing & boating access along the Byway

• prevent commercial sprawl along the Byway

• protect wildlife habitat and water quality, by urging discontinuance of herbicides for roadside vegetation control

• control litter and proliferation of roadway signage along the Byway

• increase traffic safety

  Learn more about the projects completed and other work underway for enhancing the byway at EINSB.

Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area:

Noted as a top place to visit on Edisto Island by Tripadvisor, Botany Bay WMA is owned by the state of South Carolina and is protected for wildlife in its upland forest, maritime forest, ponds, creeks, saltmarsh and beach.  EIPA spearheaded the efforts to create a volunteer base for this new WMA in 2009 and continues to support it with our time and efforts. Those interested in joining this volunteer group can contact Olivia Hood at HoodO@sc.dnr.gov.

Visitors are welcomed year-round during daylight hours except on Tuesdays and during scheduled special hunts. Learn more about Botany Bay WMA through the SC Department of Natural Resources website.

Turtle Friendly Businesses:

EIPA cares about the Loggerhead turtles and all the marine animals that inhabit our creeks, rivers and ocean.  One thing that we can all do to help them is to eliminate the use of single-use plastics, such as plastic straws, plastic bags from stores, plastic rings on beverage cans, plastic bottles. Many of these end up in our waterways and harm these animals.  EIPA has initiated a project to certify Beach and Island businesses as Turtle-Friendly, based on their lack of use of single-use plastics, and their efforts to recycle and reuse all packing materials.

Help us by supporting these businesses that have met our certification criteria:

• Edisto Island Bookstore

• With These Hands Gallery

• McConkey's Jungle Shack

• Sabal and Oak

• Botany Bay Eco Tours

• Edisto Water Sports

• Edisto Bike Rentals

• Edisto Kennels

• Edisto Island Historic Preservation Society Museum Shop

• Tortugas Mexican Grill

Edisto Pride:

EDISTO PRIDE is an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. EIPA works with and supports Edisto Pride’s mission of keeping our roadways litter-free and providing anti-litter education. Two or more annual clean-ups each year bring together volunteers from all over the island.