Nature Notes: Diamonds in the Pond by Terry McNamara The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) that calls Fishers Island home is a rarely seen turtle treasured for its role in maintaining the health of its surrounding ecosystem. In the wild, terrapins are quick to flee and difficult to observe. Since 2018,
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
The Henry L. Ferguson Museum Newsletter Vol. 39, No. 1 • Spring 2024 From the President Elizabeth McCance I heard my first woodpecker this morning, a sure sign that spring is right around the corner. As I think about spring and the summer ahead,
Conservation Science Protecting Fishers Island’s Forests As steward of the Museum’s Land Trust, Jack Schneider is constantly monitoring the health of the Island’s natural habitats. In 2021, Jack noticed signs of Beech Leaf Disease (BLD) in the American beech stand along Island Pond Trail; he reported it to both the
Conservation Science Biocontrol of Swallow-wort Plants Black swallow-wort, Vincetoxicum nigrum, is ubiquitous on Fishers Island. The vine’s entangling tendrils and proliferation of leaves create a green mass that can overgrow and smother adjacent plants The sap of this vine is toxic, which is detrimental to monarch butterflies. According to a
Conserving Seagrass Human activities in the nearshore waters of Fishers Island In anticipation of the Fishers Island Seagrass Management coalition producing a protection plan for the eelgrass found in our nearshore waters, the Museum joined a citizen-science program called Marine Protected Areas Watch (MPA Watch). In this program, volunteers are
The Fishers Island Seagrass Management (FISM) Coalition Update The Fishers Island Seagrass Management (FISM) Coalition has entered an exciting year in its mission to promote community learning about eelgrass meadows. In August 2022, the FISM Coalition passed an outreach, education, and engagement plan with unanimous support. With this plan, the Coalition acknowledges the
Island History by Pierce Rafferty Aerial showing eastern edge of former Fort H.G. Wright parade ground. Photo courtesy of Google Earth. The pond at center left, originally named “Lake Ladd,” was later nicknamed “Movie Pond.” Note the ditch, first cut by the US Quartermaster Corps circa 1908, that utterly failed to drain the
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F.I. Sketchbook 2005
