Sustainability is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future. When we refer to our natural environment, we are balancing environmental stewardship with development and social well-being, taking into consideration our wildlife—both plant and animal—and the Lowcountry’s unique coastal ecosystem.

As our community grew, we realized that we needed to make some effort to keep development from destroying our beautiful natural environment. After researching other sustainability programs, most notably the Audubon International’s Sustainable Communities, we found that the National Wildlife Federation’s Community Wildlife Habit Certification program was not only the most affordable but also the best fit for Bull Point. It offers an opportunity for a partnership between NWF and the community as a whole, including the policies laid out by our governing documents and the management of public property, as well as guidelines for individuals to improve wildlife habitat on their own private property—and to receive additional recognition for their efforts.

After achieving certification in 2023 as the 12 th South Carolina community to do so, the ad hoc certification team was re-designated as a standing committee with a charter from the BOD in 2024. New members were added and today there are 8 of us bringing our ideas, energy, and varying skills and talents to the effort of keeping Bull Point wild.

From the beginning, this community was established with the intent and purpose of living in harmony with nature. We’re proud of our designation as a National Wildlife Federation Certified Community Wildlife Habitat. Bull Point is located in a sensitive geographic area of fragile ecosystems, including a tidal creek and salt marshes within a maritime forest, and is part of a wildlife corridor between conservation areas. We feel that those of us who have chosen to live here have a responsibility to care for and protect this diverse and beautiful environment and to remain mindful of the effects of all our activities on the flora and fauna with which we share our home—including our fellow residents.

• By education and by raising awareness.
• Creating educational programs to help our neighbors understand and appreciate their natural surroundings and how to keep and maintain the natural habitat within their property.
• Promoting the planting of native species and avoiding invasive ones, as well as removing or reducing the impact of those already present.
• Encouraging our neighbors to embrace and understand the characteristics of the different ecosystems within our community, including the maritime forest, the wetlands and marshes—and the purpose and need for our man-made fresh water lakes.
• Promoting activities that provide opportunities for enjoying the outdoor recreational possibilities of our area.
• By taking part in citizen-science projects that assist in conservation efforts, such as water monitoring and bird counts.

• The accreditation of Bull Point as a Certified Community Wildlife Habitat.
• Creation of a brief flyer with our declaration of philosophy, to be given on arrival to potential purchasers of property and to real estate agents, emphasizing our commitment as a community to our conservation and preservation goals.
• Bringing in field experts to educate us all on such topics as utilizing native plants in our landscaping, identifying those present in our community, preserving plants that are valuable food sources for wildlife and eliminating invasive species, taking care of our trees, creating gardens that attract and support pollinators, protecting our property through storm water management, and how to build and maintain rain gardens that prevent pollution from entering our waterways—and are required in order to comply with Beaufort building codes.
• Adding to our Bull Point Community Library several books about native plants, rain garden creation, and what we can do as individuals to save our environment from further damage.
• Bringing awareness of the age and beauty of our 300 year old live oaks at the William Bull Park by celebrating Arbor Day with our neighbors.
• Providing a neighborhood Sunset Cruise on Port Royal Sound to raise awareness of the value and beauty of our waterways.
• Partnering with the Port Royal Sound Maritime Center through the South Carolina Adopt A Stream program to collect data on the status of rivers, creeks and marshes. Not only are our monthly testing events by the “Huspah Heroes” providing valuable information to scientists monitoring what flows into Port Royal Sound, but we will be able to track any warning signs of threats to the purity of our local waterways.
• Developing respect for our natural environment, not just to keep Bull Point beautiful but also to preserve the ecosystems that are vital to human well-being as they provide clean air and water, food and the regulation of climate and disease. If you like to fish, hunt, eat fresh shellfish from our waters and enjoy the views of our marshes, lakes, and forests, preserving our natural habitat is essential.