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Monarch-Butterfly by Adam Mitchell

Thank you for your ongoing support of Fishers Island Conservancy!

Donate Today

Your gift supports year round conservation work across Fishers Island, including

• Shorebird monitoring and protection, including seasonal nesting surveys and fencing
• Annual bird counts that help track long term population trends
• Marine debris cleanups that protect shoreline and coastal habitats
• Our Island Sentinels program, engaging community members in observing and reporting ecological changes
• Our FI Research and Survey Team (FIRST)  that guides science based land management
• Grassland restoration to support native plants, birds, and pollinators
• Invasive plant management across conserved properties
• Care and stewardship of the John Thatcher Native Plant Garden
• Maintenance at Ferry Park, connecting people to nature
• Mosquito control efforts that balance public health and ecosystem health
• Feral cat management to reduce impacts on native wildlife

P.S. Got Phragmites? Give us a call. FIConservancy has partnered with a New York State licensed contractor to assist with the removal of highly invasive phragmites. We are helping private land owners coordinate with this contractor to address infestations on their own properties. Contact us today.

Donate Online

$50 – $100 FRIEND OF THE CONSERVANCY
$250 STONY BEACH GUARDIAN
$500 SILVER EEL PATRON
$1,000 BARLEYFIELD COVE BENEFACTOR
$2,500 – $5,000 PRESERVATION CIRCLE

Thank You for your support

Donate By Mail

In addition to PayPal contribution options, you can also mail your donation to:

The Fishers Island Conservancy
PO Box 553
Fishers Island NY 06390

For questions or concerns, please contact Kristen Peterson by phone at (631) 788-5609 or email at kmpfic@gmail.com.

The Fishers Island Conservancy is a non-profit organization formed under the laws of the State of New York and is exempt under the Internal Revenue Code 501 (C) (3). Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent provided by the law.

Annual Donor Recognition

Each year, we recognize the generosity of those who support our conservation mission. Explore the list of contributors who have made an impact in past years.

2025 Donors

2025 Donor Acknowledgements 

Thanks to your support in 2025, the Fishers Island Conservancy experienced its busiest and most impactful year to date, expanding programs and launching new initiatives across the island:

• Shorebird Conservation: The Conservancy continued its participation in the Long Island Colonial Waterbird Surveys in partnership with NYSDEC and Audubon. Protective fencing was installed each spring to support nesting Piping Plovers. In 2025, five nesting pairs were recorded with 12 eggs laid, 10 hatched, and 7 fledglings, achieving a productivity rate consistent with regional conservation benchmarks.

• Bird Monitoring and Research: Spring and fall Audubon migratory line counts were conducted, marking a full decade of observation and contributing valuable long term scientific data on bird populations and migration patterns.

• Native Plant Advocacy: We collaborated with the island community to promote native plants and plantings that strengthen local ecosystems and food webs.

• Invasive Species Management: Licensed environmental contractors were engaged to coordinate the removal and management of invasive phragmites in sensitive wetland habitats on private properties, setting the stage for expanded efforts in the coming years.

• Grassland Restoration: Our partnership with the Fishers Island Ferry District continued on the Fort Wright and Elizabeth Field Parade Grounds. At 175 acres and now in its 13th year, this coastal meadow restoration remains one of the largest projects of its kind on the East Coast.

• Research and Survey Team Expansion: The Conservancy deepened its collaboration with Dr. Adam Mitchell and Tarleton State University, welcoming six graduate students who collected scientific data and assisted with invasive plant removal across the Parade Grounds and other conservation sites. Their work, led by PhD candidate Tyler McMahon, will inform future management and published research.

• Silver Eel Coastal Path: In August, the Conservancy partnered with the Ferguson Museum, Brad and Mary Burnham, Waste Management, and others to create the Silver Eel Coastal Path, connecting Ferry Park to the Race and highlighting a beautiful stretch of Fishers Island’s coastline.

• Community Engagement: Nature Day attracted the largest crowd in years, welcoming families and adults alike to learn about local insects, amphibians, raptors, and native flora with support from the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center.

• Conservancy Medal of Honor: We were proud to award our first ever Conservancy Medal of Honor to Dr. Douglas Tallamy in recognition of his decades of leadership in habitat restoration, native plant advocacy, and environmental education. This highest honor now bears his name, the Douglas W. Tallamy Medal of Honor.

These accomplishments and more were made possible by your generosity.

2024 Donor Acknowledgements 

Thanks to your support in 2024, the Fishers Island Conservancy advanced critical conservation work across the island:

• Parade Grounds Restoration: The Parade Grounds meadows thrived with autumn color and renewed biodiversity. The Fishers Island Research and Survey Team, led by graduate student Catalina Berry, addressed invasive species and monitored bird and insect populations, collecting essential data on meadow health. Plans are underway to bring back the team and a PhD student in 2025 to continue this work.

• Shorebird Monitoring: With coordination from intern Anna White, multiple successful nesting sites for the threatened Piping Plover and Least Tern were confirmed in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Long Island Audubon Society.

• Sentinel Program Impact: Under Stephanie Hall’s leadership, young scientists collected real time environmental data including weather patterns, tides, and species sightings, helping track ecological change on Fishers Island.

• Marine Debris Impact: Michele Klimczak continued her tireless work removing and sorting debris from island shorelines. Her efforts were recognized through Duke Riley’s MICHELE, part of his exhibition Death to the Living, Long Live Trash at the Brooklyn Museum.

• Community Engagement: Nature Days brought families to the Parade Grounds to explore native plants, learn about conservation, and experience wildlife up close. Special thanks to Dianne Crary and Courtney MacDonald for their leadership in making these events a success.

• Collaborative Partnerships: We strengthened collaborations with the Fishers Island Library, the Ferguson Museum, and the Fishers Island Ferry District, reinforcing a shared commitment to the island’s environmental health.

• Coastal Meadow Education: In September, more than 30 members of The Garden Conservancy visited the Parade Grounds to learn about our coastal meadow restoration work and to share in Fishers Island’s conservation story.

• Sunset on the Beach: This cherished annual event, chaired by Caroline Mehta, brought the community together to reflect on the challenges and successes of coastal conservation. Thank you to Chris Vartanian for helping share our story with a wider audience.

• Celebrating New Life: We welcomed Thomas, the son of Executive Director Kristen Peterson, on April 10. Congratulations to Kristen and her family on this joyful addition.

These accomplishments and more were made possible by your generosity.

2023 Donor Acknowledgements – View Here

Thanks to your support in 2023, the Fishers Island Conservancy achieved incredible milestones:

  • Grassland Restoration: The Fort Wright Parade Grounds were thriving, offering a serene escape and a chance to spot northern harriers hunting in the restored meadowlands.
  • Ferry Park Transformation: A vibrant wildflower knoll and thriving Virginia beach grass created a nesting haven for saltmarsh sparrows, safeguarded by new natural guardrails.
  • Sentinel Program Success: Led by Stephanie Hall, 11 student environmentalists and intern Anna White monitored 14 sites, collecting invaluable data.
  • Marine Debris Impact: Michele Klimczak’s work inspired artist Duke Riley’s exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum, spotlighting the critical issue of plastic waste.
  • Seagrass Protection: Collaborating with the Ferguson Museum, we continued efforts to protect the remaining 3% of Long Island Sound’s seagrass beds, crucial marine nurseries.
  • Community Engagement: We honored Joe Henderson’s leadership in habitat restoration at the Sunset on the Beach event and delighted families during Nature Days in August.

These accomplishments and more were made possible by your generosity.

2022 Donor Acknowledgements – View Here

Thanks to your support, 2022 was a year of impactful conservation and community engagement for the Fishers Island Conservancy:

  • Parade Grounds Burn: In collaboration with the Fishers Island Fire Department, a successful spring burn rejuvenated the restored grasslands.
  • Ferry Park Transformation: Over 15,000 Virginia beach grass plugs turned a barren parking lot into a thriving pocket park, attracting native insects and birds.
  • Phragmites Management: We launched a five-year program with the Town of Southold and NY DEC to tackle invasive phragmites, preserving vital habitats.
  • Marine Debris Removal: Michele Klimczak led shoreline cleanups that inspired Duke Riley’s Brooklyn Museum exhibit, with many community members pitching in.
  • Migratory Bird Counts: 64 species were recorded in the spring count and 42 in the fall, showcasing Fishers Island’s importance as a migratory stopover.
  • Sentinel Program Growth: Stephanie Hall led our largest team of young environmentalists, monitoring sensitive sites and collecting critical ecosystem data.
  • Nature Days in August: Our youngest islanders explored the Parade Grounds through creative activities, all while enjoying ice cream and learning about nature.
  • Honoring Leaders: At Sunset on the Beach, we celebrated Carol Giles and Ellie Kelly for their contributions to science education and environmental advocacy.

Thank you for making 2022 such a successful year for conservation on Fishers Island. Your generosity makes this all possible, and we’re excited to build on this momentum together.

2021 Donor Acknowledgements – View Here

Despite the challenges of the ongoing pandemic, 2021 marked a return to many of the Fishers Island Conservancy’s core activities. Thanks to your unwavering support, we accomplished the following:

  • Annual Parade Grounds Burn: With the expertise of the Fishers Island Fire Department, we conducted a prescribed burn to enrich the soil and maintain healthy grasslands for ground-nesting birds.
  • Island Sentinels Program Growth: Stephanie Hall led our largest group of student scientists to date, collecting hundreds of data points across the island to monitor habitat health and vibrancy.
  • Migratory Bird Counts: Spring and fall bird counts, guided by expert birders Emily Baisden and Will Almeida, revealed that native habitats support higher bird populations, emphasizing the importance of invasive species control.
  • Community Engagement: Record attendance at Sunset on the Beach and Nature Days reflected the island community’s eagerness to reconnect and celebrate Fishers Island’s natural beauty.
  • Educational Inspiration: A renewed focus on the importance of native habitats was underscored by the year’s birding insights and recommended reading, A World on the Wing by Scott Weidensaul.

2021 reminded us of the resilience of both nature and our community. Your generosity made this year’s progress possible, and we are deeply grateful for your support. Together, we look forward to continuing our conservation mission.

2020-2019 Donor Acknowledgements – View Here

2020: Rising to Challenges
Despite the unforeseen challenges of the pandemic, the Fishers Island Conservancy continued its essential conservation work thanks to your generous support. Key accomplishments include:

  • Bird Conservation Efforts: Our Audubon-structured migratory bird count in May recorded 44 species, a testament to the island’s critical role as a haven for wildlife.
  • Island Sentinels Program: Students in our Sentinels program collected vital data across sensitive habitats, contributing to a deeper understanding of ecosystem health.
  • Ecosystem Restoration: Collaborating with FIDCO, we renewed damaged micro-environments, safeguarding habitats vital to the island’s biodiversity.
  • Educational Outreach: Grants supported local students, including a Fishers Island School participant who earned first place in a prestigious science fair.
  • Community Access: Enhancements to the John Thatcher Native Garden included socially distanced picnic tables, providing residents a tranquil space to appreciate nature.
    While the cancellation of “Sunset on the Beach” impacted fundraising, we adapted with socially distanced events like Nature Days and a showing of The Biggest Little Farm.

2019: Growth and Dedication
2019 marked an inspiring year for Fishers Island Conservancy with key milestones and exciting developments:

  • Autumn Migration Highlights: Waves of monarch butterflies, a record-setting raptor count, and the first-ever sighting of a Nelson’s sharp-tailed sparrow showcased the island’s vital role in the Atlantic Flyway.
  • Invasives Team Expansion: The University of Delaware team completed its third summer, addressing invasive species and piloting collaborations with FIDCO on two East End parcels. Plans to double the team’s size reflect the urgent need for aggressive habitat restoration.
  • Demonstration Garden Dedication: Renamed the John Thatcher Native Garden, this sanctuary honors one of the Conservancy’s founders and remains a resource for promoting native planting practices.
  • Honoring Justine Kibbe: As our Conservancy Naturalist departed for the Pacific Northwest, we celebrated her contributions, including founding the Island Sentinel program and capturing over 3,000 stunning images of Fishers Island’s wildlife.
  • Conservation Progress: Efforts to restore coastal habitats and protect native species resulted in measurable successes in the Demonstration Garden and Sanctuary.