Dedication of the Janet Harvey Sanctuary & Opening of the Silver Eel-Race Point Coastal Trail

Everyone is most Welcome
Sunday, August 10th, from 9–10 AM
Dedication of the Janet Harvey Sanctuary &
Opening of the Silver Eel-Race Point Coastal Trail
At the Ordnance, behind the Community Center

The Fishers Island Conservancy and the HL Ferguson Museum are proud to be part of the newly opened Silver Eel–Race Point Coastal Trail and the dedication of the Janet Harvey Sanctuary—two projects that highlight what’s possible when the island comes together around a shared vision for conservation and public access!

This new trail links Silver Eel Cove to Race Point and travels through a mix of restored and protected landscapes, including Ferry Park, where the Conservancy has led extensive habitat restoration and native planting efforts over the past several years. It’s an area where hard work has returned the area to native coastal meadow and pollinator-friendly habitat, and is now accessible as part of a continuous public trail on the island’s West End.

One key section of the trail travels over the 1,200-foot berm created by the Fishers Island Ferry District in 2022. That project used over 2,500 cubic yards of clean sand dredged from Silver Eel Cove to build a graded berm between the high tide line and the parking area. The Ferry District invited the Conservancy to advise on stabilizing and beautifying the berm. The Conservancy was thrilled to recommend, source, and sponsor the planting of native grasses. Today, that stretch is lush, protected, and an important part of the trail corridor. 

August 2, 2025, marked the 60th anniversary of the Henry L. Ferguson Museum Land Trust. Sixty years ago, H. “Lee” Ferguson proposed committing the Museum to a visionary path: to obtain vacant land as a nature sanctuary under the auspices of the Museum. This set the Museum on a path that continues to this day. 

Dedication Details
Join us on Sunday, August 10th, at 9:00 AM at the Ordnance (take the road between the Paddle Ball courts and the F.I.C.C.). Enjoy light breakfast fare, coffee, and juice, followed by brief remarks and a trail walk. Friends and family are warmly encouraged to attend.

The Janet Harvey Sanctuary

Established thanks to a license from the Fishers Island Waste Management District, the Janet Harvey Sanctuary comprises five acres of coastal habitat and historic Fort Wright structures. It features sweeping views across Long Island Sound and inland toward two of Fort Wright’s historic batteries via a single trail accessible from either the Ordnance or runway side. 

This sanctuary honors Janet Hardie Harvey, whose passion for nature and advocacy for public access resonate deeply with our mission.

The Silver Eel – Race Point Coastal Trail
This newly completed trail fulfills a long-held community goal: making the stunning West End coastline publicly accessible. It begins at the Lighthouse Works Public Art installation and travels along Ferry Park, through the Ordnance, and into the Janet Harvey Sanctuary. From there, the trail leads to meadows, rocky shoreline, and historic emplacements, ending at Race Point.

This project is the result of collaboration across the FI Conservancy, HLF Museum, the Ferry District, the Waste Management District, and Brad and Mary Burnham, owners of the Ordnance property. It’s the kind of partnership that is essential to sustaining the island’s ecological and cultural heritage.

After the Opening
At 4 PM, Museum Director Pierce Rafferty will present an illustrated lecture: “A Brief History of Land Use and Conservation on Fishers Island.” This informative talk surveys the island’s evolving relationship with its landscape, from early settlement to today’s active conservation initiatives—a fitting close to a landmark day.