FIRST is back for summer 2026!
We’re excited to welcome the Fishers Island Research and Survey Team (FIRST) back for another summer on the island. The 2026 field season kicks off June 1st, and we’re looking forward to having a great group of students back out in the field!
Starting in 2024, the Conservancy piloted the FIRST program in collaboration with Tarleton State University and Dr. Adam Mitchell, bringing students from Texas to Fishers Island to take part in hands-on conservation work and ecological research.
FIRST itself grew out of the Conservancy’s earlier Weed Team program, which focused on hands-on invasive species removal across some of the island’s most sensitive habitats. That work laid the groundwork for what FIRST is today.
Over the course of the summer, FIRST students help with everything from monitoring wildlife and tracking biodiversity to managing invasive species and supporting habitat restoration efforts across the island.
Meet the 2026 FIRST Team
This year’s team includes a mix of returning students and new faces, and we’re excited to introduce them!
Tyler McMahon returns as the FIRST team lead and is currently a PhD student in Wildlife and Natural Resources working in partnership with the Fishers Island Conservancy.
His research focuses on long-term grassland biodiversity and how management decisions shape insect communities over time. Before coming to Fishers Island, Tyler studied the effects of bison reintroduction in Illinois tallgrass prairies, looking at how large grazers influenced moth diversity.
On Fishers Island, Tyler leads field surveys, supports invasive species management, and continues expanding the program’s insect monitoring efforts, including nocturnal sampling. His work builds on earlier datasets while helping to track how vegetation change and restoration efforts are influencing biodiversity across the island.
In addition to his research, Tyler works closely with the undergraduate team, guiding student projects and helping connect their work to the broader goals of the program. His background in insect ecology, especially his interest in moths and butterflies, continues to shape and strengthen the Conservancy’s growing monitoring efforts.
Naomi Zahn is returning to Fishers Island for her third field season with FIRST. She is a Senior at Tarleton State University studying Wildlife Sustainability and Ecosystem Science, with a minor in Entomology.Passionate about insect–plant interactions, Naomi has focused her research on how invasive species management practices affect arthropod communities. Her work on Fishers Island has contributed to a growing understanding of how restoration efforts influence insect diversity over time.Before transferring to Tarleton in 2024, Naomi attended the University of Texas at San Antonio and spent two years working as a dolphin trainer at SeaWorld San Antonio. She has a strong interest in invertebrate ecology and plans to continue building on her research experience this summer. Naomi hopes to pursue a career as a wildlife biologist, with a focus on entomological interactions in natural systems.
Samuel Price is a Junior at Tarleton State University studying Wildlife Sustainability and Ecosystem Science. He joins FIRST with a strong interest in wildlife handling, monitoring, and conservation-focused fieldwork.
Samuel has gained hands-on experience working with birds through trapping, tracking, and care, including time spent with the Rolling Plains Quail Research Foundation. His work has involved identifying, handling, and monitoring individual birds using telemetry, along with supporting animal care and data collection.
He is especially interested in expanding his experience with bird surveys and learning more about shorebird ecology during his time on Fishers Island. Alongside his fieldwork, Samuel has experience working with tools such as GIS, GPS, and R, supporting the collection and organization of ecological data.
Originally from Waco, Texas, Samuel enjoys fishing, hunting, and spending time outdoors, and he looks forward to building on his field experience this summer
Natalie Sato is a Junior at Grinnell College, where she is pursuing a double major in Biology and Studio Art. She brings a strong interest in restoration ecology, plant communities, and the role of invasive species in shaping ecosystems.
Natalie has experience working in prairie systems, including identifying and removing invasive plant species and studying biodiversity across restored landscapes. She has also worked as a research assistant studying soil ecology and carbon cycling, giving her a broader understanding of how plant and soil systems interact.
Her academic and field experience reflect a focus on sustainability and environmental change, particularly how ecosystems respond to management and disturbance. During her time on Fishers Island, she is excited to continue developing her skills in plant identification and contribute to ongoing restoration work.
Outside of her academic work, Natalie enjoys backpacking and playing both the saxophone and violin.
Each year, the FIRST team builds on work from previous seasons while also taking on new questions and projects. That can include tracking bird populations, studying insect communities, mapping invasive plants, and looking at how restoration efforts are working over time.
As the team settles in, you’ll likely see them out working across different parts of the island throughout the summer. We’ll be sharing updates along the way so the community can follow what they’re working on and what they’re finding.
If you see the team out in the field, don’t be shy. Feel free to stop by, introduce yourself, and ask questions. They’re always happy to talk about their work and share what they’re learning.
We’re really looking forward to having them back and to another strong season of research and conservation on Fishers Island!
