The Natural Beauty of Dewees Island will endure for generations.

Dewees Islanders are committed to protecting and nurturing the ecosystem of this island. Together, we are working to build a culture of respect, stewardship, and sustainability. So that future generations may still experience the natural beauty of the Island, the Dewees Property Owners Association (POA) has adopted the below listed principals and regulations. It is our hope that all who set foot on the Island commit to upholding these regulations and that breaches of these rules of conduct or questions about them be referred to the Island Manager.

POINTS TO REMEMBER

Dewees Island is a community built on respect—respect for resources, for wildlife, for our waterways, respect of the land, for our neighbors, homes, community resources, and for others’ time.

Dewees Island is a sanctuary—a haven for animals and a refuge for those seeking to dwell gracefully within nature and experience her ways.

Dewees is a place for harmony. Here, we practice harmony, harmony between ourselves in the community, and harmony with nature. We learn how to live in peace with the natural environment, not dominate it; how to be stewards of the Island’s natural amenities—not merely take from them. We recognize our responsibility as part of the larger community– how our actions, purchases, and choices affect all others (human/plant/animal) both on the Island...and beyond it.

Article I: WILDLIFE

When we step off the boat onto Dewees, we essentially step into a wildlife refuge. The wild creatures here are our neighbors, afforded the same rights and protections as the humans of our community.

Treat all of the Island’s wildlife with respect, deference, and courtesy.

Do not feed, hurt, or attempt to tame any of the Island’s wildlife.

Let the alligators be.

Keep pets under voice or leash control.

Article II: FISHING

Dewees Island’s fish populations are blessedly abundant. Each of us must commit to stewarding this resource and preventing its overuse to allow it to increase, and to ensure that it will continue to exist abundantly for us and for future generations.

Limit yourself on each outing to catching one meal’s worth of fish.

Follow length limits, posted at each dock.

Practice catch and release if not fishing for food.

Article III: CRABBING

Practice crabbing courtesy so that the Island’s crustacean population continues to grow.

Learn to tell the difference between male and female crabs.

Obey size limitations.

Do not use other people’s crab pots.

Dispose of crab scraps in Dewees Inlet, not in the impoundment or garbage.

Article IV: BEACHES

Keep our beaches healthy and growing and protect our nesting species by adhering to the following rules:

Stay off the dunes and between the dunes.

Cross dunes on foot at pedestrian crossovers only.

No carts on beach

Don’t pick dune plants.

Please be conservative in collecting shells.

Leave nothing behind, except footprints.

Article V: TRANSPORTATION

Our low-impact transportation system ensures clean air and quiet both for us and the Island’s animals.

Be responsible for meeting the ferry schedule.

Call your POA cart rental requests in a day in advance.

Don’t take carts which don’t belong to you or which have not been assigned to you.

Don’t allow unlicensed children to drive golf carts.

Article VI: RECYCLING

We either compost or recycle most of our waste on Dewees.

Recycle glass, aluminum, steel and tin cans, and #1 and #2 plastics by bagging and placing them in blue mixed recycle bins. Recycle paper by placing it in a separate paper bag within this bin. Corrugated cardboard must be broken down and placed in the same bin.

Compost all kitchen scraps (no meats or excess fats) to build soil for gardening and reduce the amount of waste going off the Island each week.

Garbage must be securely bagged and placed in the bins at the utility shed.

Article VII: DISCOVERIES

Dewees Island is rich in history and artifacts. Let’s conserve all we find.

Each time you discover a significant manmade or natural artifact, turn it in to the Nature Center for the Island’s permanent collections.

Article VIII: PARTICIPATION

The Island is our home. Do what you can to make it better each time you visit.

Treat all people and animals, as well as private and community property, with respect.

Learn as much as you can about the Island while you’re here.

Help to increase wildlife habitat. Practice good stewardship.

Volunteer with the Environmental Staff for community service.