Island Sentinels
The Island Sentinel program was created to connect local knowledge with scientific observation and to give young people on Fishers Island a meaningful role in caring for their environment.
Founded in 2013 by Justine Kibbe, the program is built on the idea that people who live in a place have valuable insight into how it functions and how it changes over time. By combining that lived experience with consistent data collection, the Island Sentinel program helps strengthen conservation efforts on Fishers Island.
At its core, the program empowers younger generations of the Fishers Island community to actively participate in preserving and protecting the island’s natural resources.
How the Sentinel Program Works
Island Sentinels receive guidance and support from the Fishers Island Conservancy and participate during the school year, summer, or both. Sentinels travel by foot or bicycle to established monitoring sites and return to the same locations regularly, allowing observations to be compared over time.
Ten monitoring sites across the island have been identified, including
Silver Eel Cove
Race Rock Point
South Beach
Hay Harbor
Dock Beach
Isabella Beach
Middle Farms
Chocomount Beach
Fishers Island Club Beach
East Harbor
These sites represent a range of coastal, pond, and harbor environments and help capture a broad picture of conditions across the island.
Summer 2026 Position | Now Accepting Applications
Please email completed applications to FIC Field Director Anna White (annarwfic@gmail.com)Â
At each site, Sentinels spend time walking the full transect and carefully observing their surroundings. Observations focus on both natural and human influenced conditions, including
weather conditions
wildlife and bird activity
shoreline and seaweed conditions
marine and human debris
human presence and site use
unusual changes, patterns, or disturbances
Turning Observations Into Insight
All Sentinel observations are recorded and compiled into a growing record of what is being seen across Fishers Island. Over time, these observations help highlight patterns, seasonal changes, and notable activity across different sites.
The information collected through the Sentinel program contributes to a broader understanding of wildlife presence, human use, and shoreline conditions throughout the island.
To explore a summary of Sentinel observations from 2018 through 2024, click below
Sentinel Projects
In addition to regular monitoring work, Sentinels participate in hands on conservation efforts that support research, education, and stewardship across Fishers Island.
Beach profiling is the primary project carried out by Island Sentinels. Through this work, Sentinels collect measurements along established transects to help document shoreline conditions and changes over time. This project builds practical field skills while contributing to a broader understanding of coastal dynamics on Fishers Island.
Collaborating with Other Organizations
Sentinels also assist with collaborative projects alongside other organizations on island.
These may include:
Through these partnerships, Sentinels gain experience working alongside scientists and educators while supporting conservation efforts happening across the island.
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Who Can Be an Island Sentinel?
The Island Sentinel program is open to members of the Fishers Island community who are curious about the natural world and interested in contributing to conservation on the island.
Sentinels are typically high school aged and older, with most participants starting at age 14. The program often includes Fishers Island School students, summer residents, and other community members who spend time on the island and want to take an active role in stewardship.
No prior scientific experience is required. Sentinels receive guidance, training, and support from the Fishers Island Conservancy, and the most important qualifications are curiosity, consistency, and respect for the places being monitored.
