Fishers Island Conservancy

In the Field with FIRST 07/15
2025-07-15
In the Field with FIRST
Date: Tuesday, July 15, 2025Ferry In: 10:00 AMFerry Out: 4:45 PMStart Time: 10:45 AMEnd Time: 4:30 PM
Location: Near Exercise Trail, Fenced AreaWho: Entire Team – Francisco, Emma, Jose, Naomi, Walker, Tyler
Details:The students will continue invasive removal around the concrete slabs near the fenced area by the Exercise Trail.

In the Field with FIRST 07/16
2025-07-16
In the Field with FIRST
Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2025Ferry In: 7:00 AMFerry Out: 3:00 PMStart Time: 7:45 AMEnd Time: 2:45 PM
Location: Parade GroundsWho: Entire Team – Francisco, Emma, Jose, Naomi, Walker, Tyler
Details:The students will complete transects for plants and insects at the Parade Grounds.

In the Field with FIRST 07/17
2025-07-17
In the Field with FIRST
Date: Thursday, July 17, 2025Ferry In: 7:00 AMFerry Out: 1:45 PMStart Time: 7:45 AMEnd Time: 1:30 PM
Location: Parade GroundsWho: Entire Team – Francisco, Emma, Jose, Naomi, Walker, Tyler
Details:The students will continue transects for plants and insects at the Parade Grounds.

A Weekend with Dr. Douglas Tallamy
2025-07-18 - 2025-07-20
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. Want to learn more? Visit here

Panel Discussion
2025-07-18 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
Hosted by Fishers Island ConservancyJuly 18, 2025 | 7:00–8:00 PM
Join us for a public panel discussion at the community center, where our scientists and experts will share updates on the Conservancy’s current conservation efforts.
Presentations by:

Dr. Marina Caillaud

Dr. Adam Mitchell

Stephanie Hall

Anna White

Moderated by: Ben Strong
This is an opportunity to learn more about the science behind the Conservancy’s work, ask questions, and hear how ongoing projects are helping to protect and sustain the natural environment of Fishers Island.
All are welcome! No registration required.

Moth Night Into The Lights
2025-07-18 21:30 - 23:30
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, 2025Starts 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!

Insect Catching and ID with Expert Entomologists
2025-07-19 09:30 - 10:30
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 GroundsWhen: July 19th at 9:30 – 10:30 AM

A Walk with Doug Tallamy
2025-07-19 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-07-20 09:30 - 10:30
Join us for a Nature Walk with Doug Tallamy!
Take a stroll through the scenic Parade Grounds with renowned Entomolgist, Author and Conservationist, Doug Tallamy. Discover the hidden wonders of native plants, learn how to support local wildlife, and gain insight into the critical role we all play in protecting biodiversity…right in our own backyards!
Whether you’re a lifelong naturalist or just curious about the world around you, this guided walk is the perfect way to connect with nature, ask questions, and see the landscape through new eyes.
When: Saturday (July 19th) and Sunday (July 20th) at 9:30 AMWhere: The Parade GroundsBring: Comfortable shoes, water, curiosity, and a love for nature!
Don’t miss this chance to walk and learn from one of the most inspiring voices in conservation.

Sunset on the Beach 2025
2025-07-19 18:00 - 20:00
Please join us on the Big Club Beach to celebrate the work we are doing together to conserve and preserve Fishers Island.
Saturday, July 19th
6-8 pm

featuring
Open Bar, Hors d’Oeuvres and Raw Bar on the Big Club Beach
Purchase Tickets Here
We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

A Talk with Doug Tallamy
2025-07-20 16:00 - 17:00
Sunday, July 20, 2025 | 4:00 PMFI 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!
Learn more about Homegrown National Park

In the Field with FIRST 07/22
2025-07-22
In the Field with FIRST
Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2025Ferry In: 10:00 AMFerry Out: 4:45 PMStart Time: 10:45 AMEnd Time: 4:30 PM
Location: Parade GroundsWho: Entire Team – Francisco, Emma, Jose, Naomi, WalkerAbsent: Tyler
Details:The students will be pulling porcelain berry, picking up camera data, and conducting knotweed sampling.

In the Field with FIRST 07/23
2025-07-23
In the Field with FIRST
Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2025Ferry In: 7:00 AMFerry Out: 3:15 PMStart Time: 7:45 AMEnd Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Parade Grounds & East End Bike TrailWho: Entire Team – Francisco, Emma, Jose, Naomi, Walker, Tyler
Details:The students will complete the July bird count and assist with invasive pulling at Wilderness Point with Diana

In the Field with FIRST 07/24
2025-07-24
In the Field with FIRST
Date: Thursday, July 24, 2025Ferry In: 7:00 AMFerry Out: 3:00 PMStart Time: 7:45 AMEnd Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Parade GroundsWho: Entire Team – Francisco, Emma, Jose, Naomi, Walker, Tyler
Details:The students will work on insect and plant transects, organize the big shed, and help Diana with native flower planting.

In the Field with FIRST 07/25
2025-07-25
In the Field with FIRST
Date: Friday, July 25, 2025Ferry In: 10:00 AMFerry Out: 1:45 PMStart Time: 10:45 AMEnd Time: 1:45PM
Location: Parade GroundsWho: Entire Team – Francisco, Emma, Jose, Naomi, Walker, Tyler
Details:The students will pick up transects, collect bat data, and pull porcelain berry in the Parade Grounds. Rain delay.

In the Field with FIRST 07/26
2025-07-26
In the Field with FIRST
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025Ferry In: —Ferry Out: —Start Time: —End Time: —
Location: New LondonWho: Entire Team – Francisco, Emma, Jose, Naomi, Walker, Tyler
Details:The students will focus on data entry and organize data collected from multiple locations.

In the Field with FIRST 07/27
2025-07-27
In the Field with FIRST
Date: Sunday, July 27, 2025Ferry In: —Ferry Out: —Start Time: —End Time: —
Location: New LondonWho: Entire Team – Francisco, Emma, Jose, Naomi, Walker, Tyler
Details:The students will continue data entry and organize data from multiple field locations.

In the Field with FIRST 07/29
2025-07-29
In the Field with FIRST
Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2025Ferry In: 10:00 AMFerry Out: 3:00 PMStart Time: 10:45 AMEnd Time: 2:45 PM
Location: Parade GroundsWho: Entire Team – Francisco, Emma, Jose, Naomi, Walker, Tyler
Details:The students will work on invasive removal and complete data entry between field tasks.

In the Field with FIRST 07/30
2025-07-30
In the Field with FIRST
Date: Wednesday, July 30, 2025Ferry In: 10:00 AMFerry Out: 3:00 PMStart Time: 10:45 AMEnd Time: 2:45 PM
Location: Parade GroundsWho: Entire Team – Francisco, Emma, Jose, Naomi, Walker, Tyler
Details:The students will continue invasive removal at the Parade Grounds.

In the Field with FIRST 07/31
2025-07-31
In the Field with FIRST
Date: Thursday, July 31, 2025Ferry In: 10:00 AMFerry Out: 3:00 PMStart Time: 10:45 AMEnd Time: 2:45 PM
Location: Parade GroundsWho: Entire Team – Francisco, Emma, Jose, Naomi, Walker, Tyler
Details:The students will continue invasive removal at the Parade Grounds.

In the Field with FIRST 08/01
2025-08-01
In the Field with FIRST
Date: Friday, August 1, 2025Ferry In: 7:00 AMFerry Out: 11:15 AMStart Time: 7:45 AMEnd Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Parade GroundsWho: Entire Team – Francisco, Emma, Jose, Naomi, Walker, Tyler
Details:The students will be setting up for Nature Day.

In the Field with FIRST 08/02
2025-08-02
In the Field with FIRST
Date: Saturday, August 2, 2025Ferry In: 7:00 AMFerry Out: 3:00 PMStart Time: 7:45 AMEnd Time: 2:45 PM
Location: Parade GroundsWho: Entire Team – Francisco, Emma, Jose, Naomi, Walker, Tyler
Details:The students will participate in Nature Day.

Nature Day Story Walk
2025-08-02
Join the Fishers Island Library at Nature Days, hosted by Fishers Island Conservancy, for a magical Story Walk!
Saturday, August 2 @ 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
Family Event
Take a leisurely stroll along the Parade Grounds and discover a story, one page at a time, posted along the path. Perfect for all ages — enjoy nature and a great read together! Don’t miss this family-friendly adventure!

Nature Day
2025-08-02 09:00 - 12:00
Saturday, August 2 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Celebrate the wild side of Fishers Island with us at Nature Day—a free, family-friendly morning of exploration, discovery, and hands-on learning dedicated to the island’s unique natural environment!
Event Highlights
Live Animal Encounters
Meet amazing creatures up close with the Dennison Pequotsepos Nature Center. Their engaging wildlife educators will introduce you to native animals and fascinating facts about local ecosystems.

Marine Debris Exhibit – “Living in the Sea, We are Trying to Keep Clean”Michele’s annual marine debris table returns with a new theme highlighting the ways sea life interacts with the very ocean we’re trying to protect! Get a firsthand look at the materials removed from our shorelines and explore how pollution affects marine creatures and their habitat.

Youth Sentinels
Get inspired by the next generation of environmental stewards. Our student conservationists will be on hand to share their research, discoveries, and what it means to be a sentinel for nature.

Seagrass Management Coalition
Why does eelgrass matter? Learn about the vital role of seagrass in coastal ecosystems and how it’s being protected through local and regional efforts. Hannah Vagts, Coordinator for the Fishers Island Seagrass Management (FISM) coalition, will be on-site to share updates, answer questions, and discuss how community-driven conservation is preserving Fishers Island’s underwater meadows for generations to come. Learn more about this work at fiseagrass.org.

FIRST – Science in the FieldExplore how our Research and Survey team studies the island’s environment. Through interactive displays and demonstrations, discover how science is helping safeguard Fishers Island’s future.

Snacks and GamesEnjoy breakfast snacks along the route and end your visit with a treat from the vintage ice cream truck. Activities and games will be available throughout the event.

Nature Day is free and open to the public. No registration required. Just bring your curiosity and your love for the island.
We look forward to seeing you there!

In the Field with FIRST 08/03
2025-08-03
In the Field with FIRST
Date: Monday, August 4, 2025Ferry In: 7:00 AMFerry Out: 11:15 AMStart Time: 7:45 AMEnd Time: 11:00 AM
Location: —Who: Entire Team – Francisco, Emma, Jose, Naomi, Walker, Tyler
Details:Last day on Fishers Island. The students will wrap up any final tasks and prepare for departure. The team will leave for Texas on the 4th
