Right Place, Right Plant – Native Plants and Practical Uses

Illustrated talk presented at the Museum May 24, 2025, by by FISM Coordinator, Hannah Vagts and guest speakers:
Dr. Adam Mitchell, Terry McNamara, Dianne Crary, Diana Fiske, and Melie Spofford

Co-hosted by HLFM director Pierce Rafferty and Tom Sargent, President, Fishers Island Conservancy

By understanding the impact of our actions on land, we can make a significant difference. Non-native plants often require extra maintenance, like fertilizer and pesticides, which can harm our delicate ecosystem. Fishers Island’s sandy, porous soil does not retain these chemicals once applied; instead, they flow into our waters. Fertilizer runoff is a significant source of nitrogen pollution that damages marine habitats and creates algal blooms. The fertilizer and pesticides that do not run into the water damage soil quality and harm native insects. Planting native is an easy win for our entire ecosystem.

Learn from experienced peers and professionals about Fishers Island’s native landscape, the role of invasive plants in the food chain, and how we can use native plants within our landscaping projects.

This event was co-hosted with Fishers Island Conservancy.