On August 25, 2021, educator and naturalist, Murray Fisher sent the following report to Museum director, Pierce Rafferty: "I just had the most amazing natural history discovery today on the Land Trust’s Matty Matthiessen preserve that I want to share with you – and everyone! . . ." As I always
The Land Trust has acquired two significant parcels of undeveloped land, partnered with the New York Natural Heritage Program to prepare a “wall-to-wall ecological community map” of our sanctuary areas, worked with the conservation class at the Fishers Island School on vairous projects as well as continued ongoing projects to restore wetland plants and maintain our nature trails.
The Ferguson Museum is engaged in a number of joint projects spearheaded by the Museum’s Land Trust Stewardship Coordinator Jack Schneider and Fishers Island School teacher Adam Murray. Murray teaches courses in environmental science, construction and woodshop, as well as land conservation. He and the high school students he teaches have teamed up with
These recent acquisitions extend and expand the mid-Island sanctuary area, which includes Middle Farms, Treasure, Beach, Island and Perch Ponds and, of course, the well field for the island’s water supply.
The creation of and care for many of the walking trails on Fishers Island began as an individual volunteer effort spearheaded by seasonal resident Matty Matthiessen starting in the 1960s. What began as a labor of love and appreciation from a handful of dedicated supporters expanded into an annual tradition shared by many.
Bench overlooking swamp on Chocomount Trail. The Museum’s Land Trust has miles of nature trails that need to be kept clear and passable. A relatively small group of board members and volunteers tackle this herculean project in all seasons, seeking to maintain the level of clearing we attain collectively during our annual Thanksgiving group effort. Please consider contributing
by Bob Miller We are delighted that Jack Schneider has become our Land Trust Stewardship Coordinator. Jack came to us early this year with a wealth of experience in planning, project management, budgeting, fundraising, and communications. He was animal curator at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Mystic Aquarium, and The Oklahoma City Zoo. As director
View of F.I. Sound from Chocomount Cove Sanctuary, May 2018 by Bob Miller In 2017 the Museum’s Land Trust was extremely fortunate to acquire the land of the new “Chocomount Cove Sanctuary” through the generosity of the C.V. Ferguson Family. This exceptional five-acre parcel extends from the East End main road to Fishers
Land Trust Report 2016 – Spring 2017 by Bob Miller 2016 was an active and productive year for the Land Trust. We received contributions of two parcels of environmentally sensitive land—one with an area of over one acre on the East End Road donated by Henry and Margaret King,
2011 Newsletter Land Trust Report 2010-Spring 2011 by Bob Miller Former Moody/Goulard horse pasture donated by the Krakowskys to HLFM Land Trust. - Photo courtesy of Jim Reid 2010 and early 2011 witnessed an increasing pace of contributions of potential building lots to the Land Trust, to be held in their natural state
Young Eastern Painted Turtle on lily pad, the Peninsula, Darby’s Cove
Photograph by Terry McNamara
