News

For over a decade the Fishers Island Conservancy has been testing the water quality of the waters in and around Fishers Island for potentially harmful bacteria. Originally the testing was confined to Hay Harbor and the surrounding ponds and streams. Over the past two summers the Conservancy has expanded the testing area to include West Harbor, East Harbor and several additional sites along the north shore of the island. In August 2008, Conservancy volunteers collected seventeen samples in West Harbor, East Harbor and points in between just off shore.

On Wednesday, March 25, 2009, Charles Dutka, a 12th grade student at the Fishers Island School, was named the first recipient of the Edwin Horning Research Grant for Environmental Conservation, awarded by the Fishers Island Conservancy. Charles received the $300 grant for his project on a household incinerator designed to burn cleanly and efficiently, and to defer oil cost by preheating water in a domestic hot water heater. The project functioned as designed, and won a 2nd honors award at the Connecticut State Science Fair.

The Conservancy's Environmental Sustainability Committee is seeking two to three volunteers, to help research renewable energy technologies for electric power generation. Our goal is to assess the economic prospects of electric power alternatives, from renewable energy technologies suitable to Fishers Island. This important study will help the ICB in its mission to create "a sustainable lifestyle through improved energy and affordability," as outlined in The Fishers Island Strategic Plan, 2007-2017.

The Scoop on Septic Systems:

In order to best protect our Island please make sure you follow proper septic system maintenance. When a septic system is too full or poorly maintained it can leech harmful contaminants into surface water.

A few warning signs of a failing system:
- Most systems are designed to last 20-30 years
- Sewage back-ups in drains or toilets, especially if black liquid or with odor
- Slower than usual flushing of toilets
- Liquid seeping or "spongy" feel on ground around septic system (with or without odor)

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute's publication "Oceanus" has an informative article on lobster shell disease and the New England Lobster Research Initiative, established by Congress to study the causes and consequences of the disease. The article can be reached through the following link: http://www.whoi.edu/oceanus/viewArticle.do?id=32687.

On April 10, 2008, Governor Paterson announced that the New York State Department of State had rejected the application for construction of a floating liquified natural gas (LNG) facility in the middle of Long Island Sound. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/11/nyregion/11broadwater.html?_r=1&oref=s....

Q. What is the Conservancy’s mission and where does it work?
A. The Conservancy is a not-for-profit organization that works to protect the fragile ecosystem of the Eastern Long Island Sound’s marine area as well as the land on Fishers Island itself.

Q. How is the Conservancy funded?