Sanctuary of Sands
Established in 2017, Sanctuary of Sands is a rare stretch of undeveloped shoreline located along the north side of Fishers Island, parallel to the Elizabeth Field runway. Here, the waterline, beach, tidal pools, coves, and dunes come together to form an exceptional example of what Fishers Island’s coastline looked like hundreds of years ago.
This quiet, intact habitat provides critical nesting and foraging space for the federally endangered Piping Plover and other shorebirds that depend on open, undisturbed sand and healthy dune systems to survive.
A Protected Place for Shorebirds
The area was named Sanctuary of Sands in 2017 by Fishers Island Conservancy naturalist Justine Kibbe, who recognized its ecological importance and worked to ensure it remained protected and respected. Informational signs placed at either end of the beach help visitors understand the significance of the site and the presence of federally protected birds, nests, and eggs. Additional signage near the dunes reminds beachgoers to tread carefully, leash dogs, and avoid disturbing sensitive habitat.
Piping Plovers nest directly in the sand and dune grasses, making them especially vulnerable to disturbance. With fewer than 2,000 breeding pairs remaining along the Atlantic Coast, protecting places like Sanctuary of Sands plays an important role in their survival.
Learning Through Stewardship
Sanctuary of Sands has long served as an outdoor classroom and place of observation. Beginning in 2017, Justine Kibbe regularly brought students from Fishers Island School and community programs to the site, using it as a hands-on learning environment where young people could observe shorebirds, tides, seaweed, and dune systems while developing a deeper connection to the natural world around them.
These experiences helped inspire the Island Sentinel program, where careful observation, curiosity, and responsibility are central to conservation.
A Place of Legacy and Inspiration
Sanctuary of Sands was a favorite stop for longtime Conservancy supporter and naturalist Edwin Horning, who valued the site for its quiet beauty and the opportunity to observe shorebirds feeding among kelp and eelgrass berms. His appreciation for the area reflects a shared belief that understanding nature firsthand fosters respect and long term protection.
Recognizing and respecting Sanctuary of Sands is a way for all of us to take part in caring for Fishers Island. By understanding the natural systems that make this place special, we strengthen our commitment to preserving it for future generations.
