Mapping the Future: Advancing Eelgrass Monitoring in Long Island Sound by Hannah Vagts, Project Manager, FISMC Eelgrass (Zostera marina) is essential to coastal ecosystems like Long Island Sound. Eelgrass meadows provide critical habitat for numerous marine species and contribute to improved water quality, reduced coastal erosion, and carbon sequestration. Understanding the
Bringing Back the Ospreys by David R. Zimmerman Excerpted from Newsday (Suffolk Edition), Sunday, Aug 20, 1972 ·Page 222 Newsletter editor’s note: The following article brings to light the history of a project in the late 1960s to move healthy Osprey eggs from nests in the Chesapeake Bay area to nests
Why Count Ospreys? by Jack Schneider, Land Trust Manager Already three eggs in Osprey Cam nest by April 25, 2026. Ospreys are central to the Museum’s identity. The species was chosen as the Museum’s iconic logo and is the star of two of the Museum’s important wildlife observation programs: (1) the
The Fading Light of the Firefly by Terry McNamara, Chair Wildlife Committee One of the highlights of residing on Fishers Island is interacting with the many creatures that also call the Island home. The appearance of fireflies or “lightning bugs” in late June and early July is one of these experiences that
Restoring Biodiversity with Native Plants by Jack Schneider, Land Trust Manager Fishers Island’s landscape has been changing for the past 14,000 years. From tundra to forest to pasture to resort: Each ecological community that was wiped out became replaced by a new community. Despite this turmoil, nature persisted, albeit challenged and diminished.
Education Collaborations Bring HLFM Mission to Students and Students to Nature by Jessica NeJame, Land Trust Coordinator I’m crouched beneath the Museum birdfeeder with a handful of 3rd and 4th graders, each of us holding a long stick aloft. We are still and silent, except for the occasional “psh” as we try
More on Bald Eagles on Fishers Island by Jessica NeJame, Land Trust Coordinator A successful nest of bald eagles on the Island is a great ecological sign, indicating that Bald Eagles along the Connecticut River are expanding. Bald Eagle and other raptor populations (including Osprey) were severely impacted by
Land Trust Report by Bob Miller, Vice-President Land Trust I am happy to report that our purchase of sixteen additional acres of environmentally sensitive land from FIDCO is on track. A revised Memorandum of Understanding was signed on February 26, 2026, and surveyors and counsel are now working to procure Town approval
The Henry L. Ferguson Museum Newsletter Vol. 41, No. 1 • Spring 2026 Elizabeth McCance From the President Elizabeth McCance After this winter’s serial storms and low temperatures, I can’t wait to get back to Fishers for warmth, sunshine, friends, and Museum
Fish for the growing osprey family! Osprey dad delivers fish to an awaiting mom and two chicks May 28, 2026. Special thanks again to Vicki Rafferty who caught sight of the second hatchling at the Middle Farms nest May 28, 2026 - via the Osprey Cam. We checked the back-ups
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F.I. Sketchbook 2005
