Ferry Park photo by Laurie Marshall
This year was action-packed for the Fishers Island Conservancy. Thanks to your support, we focused on a wide variety of initiatives, starting with a successful spring Parade Grounds burn with the Fishers Island Fire Department, continuing through to our fall Migratory Bird Count.
Tom Sargent
If you’re on-Island and haven’t yet checked out Ferry Park, please do. Lucinda Herrick and others had a vision to upgrade the land and shoreline berm by the entrance to Silver Eel Cove, and we were happy to partner with the Fishers Island Ferry District to help them realize their concept. Over 15,000 native Virginia beach grass plugs have transformed a barren parking lot into a charming pocket park. As you know, native plants bring native insects, native insects bring native birds, and so on…
Below, you’ll find more exciting 2022 highlights and shout-outs. We’re looking forward to continuing this momentum and accomplishing even more together next year. To help make that possible, please consider donating a year-end gift now.
If I may, another request. Do you have phragmites on your property? We’ve entered into a five-year program to treat phragmites in and around the Parade Grounds. In conjunction with the Town of Southold and the NY DEC, we’ve hired outside contractors to tackle the problem. If you have phragmites on your property, please let us know and we’ll manage the estimates, coordination and timing to help eradicate this insidious invader. Contact Kristen Peterson at [email protected] to get started.
Thank you again for being part of our community and for caring for Fishers Island as much as we do.
Sincerely,
Tom Sargent
President, Fishers Island Conservancy
Thanks to you, more highlights from 2022:
- The John Thatcher Native Garden and Parade Grounds never looked better thanks to Dianne Crary, Alden Butt, Geb Cook, Charlie Curtis, Dave McIntyre and others.
- We had the honor of recognizing two legendary members of the community, Carol Giles and Ellie Kelly, at Sunset on the Beach in July. They have led by example in science education and environmental activism. Thanks to all who joined us to celebrate.
- Michele Klimczak’s relentless efforts in our Marine Debris program continued to be a cornerstone of FIConservancy’s impact, and many of you rolled up your sleeves and joined in this important program, removing tons of waste from our shoreline. Michele’s work is highlighted in artist Duke Riley’s exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum on display now!
- We tallied a whopping 64 species during our Spring Migratory Bird Count, and in October, despite howling winds and cold temps as Hurricane Ian swept through, we were able to coax out 42 species for the Fall Bird Count.
- Stephanie Hall led the largest group of Island Sentinels yet! These eager young environmentalists monitored sensitive sites Island-wide and collected data to record changes in our fragile ecosystem.
- Our youngest islanders converged on the Parade Grounds for creative, informative activities and lots of ice cream at Nature Days in August. Thanks to our Executive Director, Kristen Petersen, for her efforts on this event and the many tasks she accomplishes throughout the year.
Your generosity is essential to our work — we couldn’t do it without you. Thank you.
A gift to the Fishers Island Conservancy is a gift to Fishers Island.
Please give today.
Illustrated Talk with Beyond Plastics- October 8th
Current Events, Events, Feature, NewsPlastic in the water, on the land and IN you! Fighting pollution on Fishers Island and Beyond
Event Details:
Date: October 8th
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Place: In-person at the Museum, 2nd Floor and virtual via Zoom
Category: Illustrated Talk
Plastic pollution is a bad neighbor. As plastic breaks up into microplastics it disperses into the environment. Researchers are finding plastic particles almost everywhere they look, including inside the human body.
What are the impacts of these plastics, and what can we do to stop them?
Join Dr. Megan J. Wolff, MPH, policy director at Beyond Plastics, as she talks about what individuals can do to reduce their consumption and exposure to plastics as well as discuss the exciting legislative initiatives underway in the state of New York aimed at significantly reducing plastic pollution.
Michele Klimczak, our Coastal Debris Coordinator at the Fishers Island Conservancy, will also be presenting an overview of the extensive repercussions of plastic pollution on the island, offering a localized perspective to complement the presentation by Dr. Megan J. Wolff.
*To secure your spot, please reach out to us at 631-788-7239 or send an email to [email protected]. Virtual attendance does not require prior registration.
Bug Night with Dr. Adam Mitchell
Events, NewsJoin Us for Bug Night with Entomologist Dr. Adam Mitchell!
Event Details:
Date: Saturday
Time: 8:30 PM to 9:00 PM-?
Location: John Thatcher Native Garden
Join Us:
Calling all nature enthusiasts and bug lovers! Get ready for another Bug Night adventure with entomologist Dr. Adam Mitchell. Embrace the opportunity to see insects in a whole new light! Bring your friends and family for an exciting evening of discovery and learning.
What to Expect:
Explore the world of insects under the guidance of an expert entomologist and expand your knowledge of local insect species.
Witness a variety of critters drawn to large white sheets illuminated by vapor lamps.
Learn about the fascinating lives, behaviors, and habits of insects that call
the John Thatcher Native Garden home.
Let’s marvel at the magic of insects together. See you at Bug Night!
Note: Event details are subject to change. Please check our website or contact us for any updates.
Orienteering Competition
Events, NewsJoin us for an exciting Orienteering Competition hosted by FI School’s Class of 2026 and the FI Conservancy
Event Details
Date: Thursday, August 17
Location: FI School Playground
Time: 1-4PM
What is Orienteering?
Orienteering is a sport in which participants use a map to find various locations, or “controls.” Take an hour to find as many controls as you can. You can compete as an individual, or as a team (up to 3 people). You can run the course, or walk. All ages and ability levels are welcome.
How to Register
To join the fun, contact Mike George at [email protected] or 585-406-1746. Register before Thursday, August 17, to pay $15 per person. Same-day registrations will be $20 per person.
The proceeds will support the Class of 2026’s senior class trip.
Win Ice Cream Gift Certificates and More!
The top individual finisher and the top team will receive ice cream gift certificates, generously donated by Toppers. Additionally, the FI Conservancy is giving a gift bag.
Be Prepared
We encourage you to bring comfortable shoes and water. Compasses are not required, but you may bring one; we have a small number that we can loan participants. The event will be held rain or shine.
For more information about orienteering, check out this article and video:
https://orienteeringusa.org/explore/what-is-orienteering/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26Zc5AVkFis
A Day of Nature- August 12
Events, NewsJoin us for a Day of Nature at the Parade Grounds Saturday, August 12th, from 3-6 p.m.
Enter near the theater to explore fun activities and expert-led stations for all ages.
Connect with nature and have fun with family and friends! See you there!
The Ghost Net: An Environmental Musical of the Sea
Events, NewsFishers Island Conservancy Presents
The Ghost Net: An Environmental Musical of the Sea
Show & Performance by
Grumbling Gryphons
Traveling Children’s Theater
Saturday, August 12, 2023
at the Fishers Island Movie Theater
Pre-performance Workshop – 3 PM Sharp!
Performance – 4 PM
Ages 6 & up
Sing Dance, Act & Be in the Show!
To pre-register your children for the workshop, call Michele Klimczak at (631) 800-9394.
On the afternoon of the show from 3:00-3:50pm, Grumbling Gryphons will conduct a pre-performance drama workshop for children ages 6 & up who will train with the actors to become part of the show. Become a “Trash Creature” and join in the “Slimy-Sludge Rap” or dance as a colorful tropical fish in “The Coral Reef Calypso”!
The whole family can get in on the act!
The Ghost Net: An Environmental Musical of the Sea premiered in 1990 as part of an environmental expo – “The Visit of the Mimi” held at Captain’s Cove Seaport in Bridgeport, CT, which thousands of school children attended. With the invaluable input by marine biologist Barbara Whitman and other environmental educators, Leslie Elias created a play that has served as a powerful vehicle for promoting awareness of our planet’s rapidly depleting oceans and endangered marine life. Since 1990 the show has toured the United States, receiving rave reviews for its beautiful artistry and timely message.
Learn more grumblinggryphons.org
Struggles to Clean Relentless Waves of Plastic From Fishers Island’s Beaches
Beach Cleanup, NewsCoastal debris coordinator, Michele Klimczak has been collecting garbage on Fishers Island for about two decades – and full time for the FI Conservancy since 2018. In these past three years she has helped to remove more than 32,000 pounds of garbage from our shores, with no end in sight. Much of the trash Michele finds is tiny plastics that may be easy to overlook, but can be detrimental to our natural environment.
To learn more about how Michele’s efforts are so vital for the wildlife that inhabit our beach community and why more may need to done beyond our shores to help combat the growing problem, please see the article posted on Inside Climate News:
The ‘Sisyphus of Trash’ Struggles to Clean Relentless Waves of Plastic From a New York Island’s Beaches
Michele Klimczak’s passion for cleaning the beaches of Fishers Island led to a full-time, year-round job, but she still can’t keep up with the flood of plastic waste.
By Devin Speak
Inside Climate News
June 20, 2023
Photo Credit: Devin Speak
Sunset on the Beach 2023
Events, NewsIndividual Tickets and Sponsorship Opportunities Available! Please join us July 15th to celebrate the work we are doing together to conserve and preserve Fishers Island.
2023 Spring Migratory Bird Count
Events, NewsAn osprey sitting on a new perch, April 2023 Photo: Jay Cushing
After wintering in warmer climates, migratory birds are returning to their northern breeding grounds and we need your help charting these bird populations.
Please join us with experts, Dr. Adam Mitchell from Tarleton State University, and the University of Delaware team, Emily Baisden and Will Almeida, for our annual spring migratory bird count on Sunday, May 7.
What: FI Conservancy 2023 Spring Migratory Bird Count
When: Sunday, May 7, 8am—10:30am
Where: Meet outside the Fishers Island Community Center & BYOBinoculars
Following Audubon bird count rules, birders will make 15 five-minute stops from the West End to the East End of Fishers Island. At each timed stop, birders count birds and call out what they see. Our experts will lead the count and answer your questions about migratory birds.
We hope to see you at this fun, informative outdoor event, celebrating the spring season at Fishers Island.
FIConservancy Team
2022 Marine Debris Report
News