Come explore the amazing world of insects with expert entomologists Bryan Danforth and Marina Caillaud (Cornell University). We’ll be out in the
Parade Grounds with sweep nets and bug boxes, catching all kinds of cool critters and learning how to identify them!
This is a fun, hands-on session for all ages, whether you’re a bug lover or just curious about what’s crawling and flying around out there. The entomologists will walk you through the basics of catching, handling, and identifying insects, and they’ll be happy to answer all your questions!
All equipment will be provided. Just wear comfy clothes, closed-toe shoes, and be ready to explore.
Where: The Parade Grounds
When: July 19th at 9:30 – 10:30 AM
Love nature and bugs? Come join entomologist Dr. Adam Mitchell and our awesome FIRST team for a chill evening of insect discovery at the
Parade Grounds!
We’ll be setting up big white sheets and vapor lamps to attract all kinds of cool critters—moths, beetles, and who knows what else! You’ll get to learn about their wild behaviors and help out with our annual biodiversity survey, which helps track native plants and how well the island’s habitats are bouncing back.
Details:
Friday, July 18th, 2025
Starts at 9:30 PM (drop by anytime)
Parade Grounds
Whether you’re a full-on bug enthusiast or just a little curious, this is the perfect chance to experience nature in a whole new way. Bring some friends, your sense of adventure, and let’s see what shows up under the lights!
Sunday, July 20, 2025 | 4:00 PM
FI Movie Theater & via Zoom
The Fishers Island Conservancy is proud to co-host a special presentation by Dr. Doug Tallamy, leading entomologist, conservationist, and co-founder of the transformative Homegrown National Park initiative.
Join us on Sunday, July 20 at 4:00 p.m. for an illustrated talk at the movie theater (also available via Zoom), where Dr. Tallamy will share his compelling vision for restoring biodiversity, starting in our own backyards! Following the talk, there will be a book signing and a reception.
With a national goal to convert 20 million acres of turfgrass into native plant habitat, Homegrown National Park challenges individuals and communities to rethink their landscapes and take action. Tallamy’s message is simple but powerful: we can no longer rely solely on protected wildlands to sustain native species! Real conservation must also happen where people live! On private property, in public spaces, and across working lands.
Drawing on decades of research and outreach, Dr. Tallamy will highlight how native plants support insects, which in turn support birds and the broader web of life. Through engaging visuals and practical advice, he’ll demonstrate how replacing lawn with native species not only helps wildlife thrive, but also reconnects us with the ecosystems we depend on.
A longtime advisor to the Fishers Island Conservancy, Dr. Tallamy’s ecological expertise helped guide the restoration of the Parade Grounds… a living model of habitat renewal that continues to inspire conservation efforts across the island.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener, a curious newcomer, or someone looking to make a difference at home, this talk will leave you with the tools and motivation to take part in one of the most hopeful grassroots movements in conservation today!
Eastern Carpenter Bee by Kristen Peterson (iNaturalist)
The Fishers Island Conservancy is helping Fishers Island Waste Management District get people buzzing about why bees are so important to the ecosystem and what are the non-lethal ways to reduce bees being drawn to our waste areas.
If you have an allergy or are otherwise concerned, please ask our attendants to dispose of your household trash and recycling for you. Your safety is our priority.
Why Bees Sting (and Why It’s Rare)
Please note that typically, the act of a bee stinging someone is far more dangerous to the bee itself than the person they are attempting to sting. This is because the stinger is often barbed and difficult to remove from the skin of a vertebrate—in some cases, the stinger itself remains embedded and the insect disembowels itself in the process of trying to get free.
Honeybee workers, which can have up to thousands in the hive, are expendable and their hive can afford the workers to sacrifice themselves like this.
Our native bees rarely sting as they are mostly solitary; however, both solitary and honeybees would likely be attracted to the same kind of lethal trap or poison that might be considered an option.
Why Bee Traps Don’t Work
Western Honey Bee by Murray Fisher (iNaturalist)
Bee traps are ineffective in reducing the numbers of bees, and are even potentially counterproductive because they are baited to attract bees.
Sugary residues, food waste, and certain scents naturally attract them, especially when alternative foraging options are limited.
What You Can Do
While there will likely be no foolproof way to keep the bees from being attracted to any sweet-smelling waste, there are ways to mitigate the situation.
Pick up your complementary green 7-gallon bucket from the Compost Station and start separating your food scraps from your household trash. This diverts heavy wet materials from being a waste that is shipped off island into a resource that turns into beautiful free compost for your garden.
This also means less sweet-smelling household trash at the transfer station which will in turn attract fewer bees.
Rinse your recycling—this will also lessen the attractiveness to bees.
And, again, please know that our attendants are there to help you and can dispose of your trash and recycling on your behalf.
A Healthy Bee Population is a Good Sign
Seeing bees around the island is actually a good sign! It reflects the health and resilience of our local ecosystems and shows that our island continues to support a strong pollinator population.
Pollinator gardens provide high-quality food sources away from human areas, helping reduce direct bee-human encounters.
Traps, on the other hand, are largely ineffective because they kill indiscriminately, often harming beneficial or harmless species, and they don’t address the real attractants like unwashed recycling or food waste.
Broader native habitat improvements, like invasive plant removal and native species planting, will go a long way toward creating sustainable solutions that benefit pollinators and the larger ecosystem.
Bee ID: Who’s Buzzing Around?
Common Eastern Bumble Bee by Steffen Kucsera
Not all bees are the same, and not all are likely to sting or even live in colonies. Here’s how to tell some of our most common bee visitors apart:
Honey Bees
These bees are small and golden-brown with fuzzy bodies. They live in large colonies and are social pollinators. Honey bees are the ones that produce honey and can sting, but usually only when threatened.
Bumble Bees
Bumble bees are larger and rounder, with very fuzzy black-and-yellow bodies. They’re also social but tend to be gentle. Bumble bees are excellent pollinators and rarely sting.
Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees look similar in size to bumble bees but have shiny, hairless black abdomens. They’re often spotted near wooden structures, where they create small nesting holes. Males don’t sting, and females usually won’t unless directly handled.
Knowing which bee you’re seeing helps reduce fear and encourages appreciation for the vital role they play in our environment!
The Fishers Island Conservancy is pleased to announce that Professor Douglas Tallamy, the renowned entomologist and conservationist, will be visiting Fishers Island July 18-20. Professor Tallamy will be
receiving the first Conservancy medal, honoring his contributions to our understanding of biodiversity, conservation, and sustainable gardening practices. While on the island, Professor Tallamy will be giving an illustrated talk on native planting best practices, offering tours of the Parade Grounds, and will be available for some very limited home site visits. Dr. Tallamy has been a key advisor to the Fishers Island Conservancy in the transformation of the Parade Grounds, lending his ecological expertise and guiding the use of native plants to maximize insect and bird biodiversity. His contributions have helped shape the site into a living example of habitat restoration, and his involvement has inspired continued efforts to expand native planting across the island. The Parade Grounds and Demonstration Garden now serve not only as habitat but also as educational resources for visitors and residents alike.
Dr. Tallamy’s simple message that native plants support diverse insect populations, which help sustain birds and other wildlife, has resonated with home gardeners across the country. His seminal book, “Bringing Nature Home,” has garnered widespread acclaim and serves as a guide for homeowners, landscapers, and conservationists, encouraging the use of native plants in gardens and urban environments. His second book, Nature’s Best Hope, became a New York Times bestseller and further established his role as a national leader in ecological gardening and grassroots conservation.
In addition, Dr. Tallamy has authored numerous books and scientific articles that contribute to the body of knowledge regarding the interactions between plants and insects. His efforts to educate the public about the ecological consequences of landscaping choices have helped foster a national movement towards more sustainable gardening practices. He emphasizes the idea that individual actions, such as planting native species, can collectively have a substantial impact on local ecosystems.
As a passionate environmentalist, Tallamy has also been involved in various initiatives aimed at
promoting conservation and sustainability. He has collaborated with organizations like the National Wildlife Federation to develop programs that encourage home gardeners to create habitats for wildlife. He is also the co-founder of the Homegrown National Park initiative, a grassroots movement that encourages people to partially convert lawns into native plant gardens, reflecting his commitment to changing how we view and interact with our landscapes. His educational and environmental stewardship has inspired countless individuals to rethink their gardening practices and the ways they contribute to local ecosystems.
The Fishers Island Conservancy looks forward to welcoming and honoring Dr. Tallamy this summer and continues to be inspired by his ongoing commitment to environmental education and awareness.
During his visit, Dr. Tallamy will lead guided nature walks through the Parade Grounds on both Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20 at 9:30 a.m., and deliver a public talk and book signing at the Henry L. Ferguson Museum on Sunday, July 20 at 4:00 p.m.
We hope you’ll join us for this special weekend of learning, inspiration, and celebration of the native landscapes that support life on Fishers Island and beyond.