HLFM welcomes Jessica NeJame as the new Land Trust Stewardship Coordinator
Jessica NeJame is a recent graduate from the Ohio State University, where she earned her MS in Environment and Natural Resources. Her research focused on human dimensions of sustainability including electric vehicle adoption, connectedness to nature, and consumer decision-making.
Jessica has strong ties to Fishers Island, having worked for Hay Harbor Club as a lifeguard, server, and office assistant for six years and at the Pequot for two years. She previously served as the Outreach Coordinator for the Fishers Island Seagrass Management Coalition. Her further professional experience includes administrative and project management support for organizations focused on sustainable fashion and transportation.
She graduated from the University of Vermont magna cum laude with a B.S. in Environmental Studies and a B.A. in Political Science.
“I am so excited to be a part of the Fishers Island community and to help protect our beautiful and unique environment. I hope to support our native flora and fauna, and to foster connections between people and nature.”
Please join us in providing a warm welcome for Jessica!
ABOUT THE HLFM LAND TRUST
Since its inception in 1960, the Ferguson Museum has worked to protect habitat for the flora and fauna of Fishers Island, New York. Throughout its history, the Museum has protected habitat through its growing Land Trust, its natural history exhibits, and its environmental education programs. The Land Trust was started in 1965 for the preservation in perpetuity of undeveloped property in its natural state to further its stewardship mission. While a few parcels were added in its early years, the Museum and Land Trust proactively started expanding in 1981. Today the Land Trust holds, either directly or through conservation easements, more than 370 acres, which represents more than 14% of the land on the island.
In addition to preserving the sites in perpetuity, the Museum and its Land Trust are increasingly engaged in a variety of stewardship and educational activities. This work includes maintenance of an extensive trail system, invasive species removal, native species plantings, beach clean-ups, nature walks, bird monitoring, and adult and children’s educational programs and field experiences. The Ferguson Museum now seeks to further its conservation role by professionally coordinating and promoting its stewardship, educational and monitoring activities.
ROLE OF THE FISHERS ISLAND LAND TRUST STEWARDSHIP COORDINATOR
The HL Ferguson Museum Land Trust Stewardship Coordinator is a multi-faceted role involving capacity building, land management, invasive species control, monitoring and data management, and environmental education. Under supervision of the HL Ferguson Museum Land Stewardship Manager, Jack Schneider, the Stewardship Coordinator is responsible for providing organizational, management and administrative support to the Land Trust Committee to advance the Museum’s land trust conservation and stewardship activities.
