Restoring Biodiversity at H. Lee Ferguson, Jr. Wildlife Sanctuary by Jack Schneider Undisturbed natural communities are dynamic, interdependent relationships between plant and animal species that tend towards long-term stability and productivity. Once broken, the restoration of these intricate associations requires planning, work, patience, luck, money, and, above all, leadership fueled
The First Land Conservation on Fishers Island The origin of the Museum’s land conservation efforts can be traced to a meeting on August 2, 1965. On that summer day, Museum President H. Lee Ferguson, Jr., known as “Lee,” proposed to the Board that vacant land be obtained as a sanctuary
Land Trust Report by Bob Miller Winter left a considerable imprint on some of the Land Trust sanctuaries. Rough seas inundated the shore of Beach Pond during winter storms, tossing logs over and inland of the path. The footbridge at the intersection of Beach Pond and Island Pond was thrown off its foundations and
A Handicap-Accessible path leads to a platform with a bench that overlooks Middle Farms Pond By Faith Coolidge Can you imagine wanting to enjoy the beauty of Middle Farms Pond but being unable to do so because of a mobility issue? A wonderful addition to the H.L Ferguson Museum’s
Fishers Island Biodiversity: Rare Species and Natural Communities of the Henry L. Ferguson Museum Land Trust New York Natural Heritage Program July 2023 The Henry L. Ferguson Museum contracted with the New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP) in early 2020 to conduct a two-year inventory of rare plants and animals
Land Trust Report Spring 2023 by Bob Miller There have been major developments in terms of land preservation and the expansion of our sanctuaries since the Land Trust report in the Spring of 2022. In December 2022, the Land Trust received a donation of a 2.07 acre lot on Brooks
by Bob Miller The section of Middle Farms that is just south of the road was burned on March 22nd by the Fishers Island Fire Department, led by Chief Jeff Edwards, as part of HLFM’s rotational burning program to maintain the maritime grassland. Prescribed burn of Land Trust grassland at Middle Farms
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
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F.I. Sketchbook 2005
